Dispute resolution Revision Notes:
DISPUTE RESOLUTION METHODS:............................................................................................................................................ 2
ARBITRATION:.................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
MEDIATION:...................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
LITIGATION:....................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
REFUSAL OF ADR:.............................................................................................................................................................................. 2
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT RECORDING:................................................................................................................................................... 2
PRE-ACTION CONSIDERATIONS AND STEPS:............................................................................................................................. 2
LIMITATION:...................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
PRE-ACTION PROTOCOLS:..................................................................................................................................................................... 3
PARTIES AND CAUSES OF ACTION:.......................................................................................................................................................... 3
DETERMINING JURISDICTION FOR CLAIM:.................................................................................................................................................3
DETERMINING WHICH COUNTRY’S LAWS APPLY TO A DISPUTE:.....................................................................................................................4
USE OF WELSH LANGUAGE IN PROCEEDINGS:...........................................................................................................................................4
COMMENCING, RESPONDING TO OR PROGRESSING A CLAIM:.................................................................................................. 4
WHERE TO START PROCEEDINGS:...........................................................................................................................................................4
COUNTING TIME:................................................................................................................................................................................ 5
ISSUING AND SERVING PROCEEDINGS:.....................................................................................................................................................5
ADDING, REMOVING OR SUBSTITUTING PARTIES:.......................................................................................................................................5
SERVICE OF A CLAIM FORM WITHIN THE JURISDICTION:...............................................................................................................................5
SERVICE OF OTHER DOCUMENTS (INCL PARTICULARS OF CLAIM):..................................................................................................................6
PROCEDURE FOR SERVICE OF CLAIM FORM OUTSIDE THE JURISDICTION:.........................................................................................................6
DEEMED DATES OF SERVICE AND TIME LIMITS FOR SERVING PROCEEDINGS.....................................................................................................6
SERVICE BY ALTERNATIVE METHOD/DIFFICULTIES WITH SERVICE:..................................................................................................................6
RESPONDING TO A CLAIM:....................................................................................................................................................................7
DEFAULT JUDGEMENT:.........................................................................................................................................................................7
DISCONTINUANCE:.............................................................................................................................................................................. 8
SETTLEMENT:..................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
STATEMENTS OF CASE:.........................................................................................................................................................................9
PART 20 CLAIMS:............................................................................................................................................................................. 10
REQUESTS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT STATEMENTS OF CASE:........................................................................................................11
AMENDMENTS TO STATEMENTS OF CASE:..............................................................................................................................................11
INTERIM APPLICATIONS:........................................................................................................................................................ 11
SUMMARY JUDGEMENT:.................................................................................................................................................................... 12
SECURITY FOR COSTS:........................................................................................................................................................................ 12
INTERIM PAYMENT:........................................................................................................................................................................... 12
INTERIM INJUNCTION:........................................................................................................................................................................13
CASE MANAGEMENT:............................................................................................................................................................ 13
THE OVERRIDING OBJECTIVE:...............................................................................................................................................................13
TRACK ALLOCATION:..........................................................................................................................................................................14
STANDARD DIRECTIONS ON EACH TRACK:...............................................................................................................................................15
NON-COMPLIANCE WITH ORDERS, SANCTIONS AND RELIEF:.......................................................................................................................15
COSTS AND CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES:.....................................................................................................................................16
EVIDENCE:............................................................................................................................................................................. 17
HEARSAY EVIDENCE:.......................................................................................................................................................................... 17
THE BURDEN AND STANDARD OF PROOF:...............................................................................................................................................17
EXPERT EVIDENCE:............................................................................................................................................................................ 17
WITNESS EVIDENCE:.......................................................................................................................................................................... 19
DISCLOSURE AND INSPECTION:.............................................................................................................................................. 20
DISCLOSURE:................................................................................................................................................................................... 20
INSPECTION:.................................................................................................................................................................................... 21
TRIAL:.................................................................................................................................................................................... 22
, WITNESS SUMMONS:........................................................................................................................................................................ 22
PREPARATIONS FOR TRIAL:..................................................................................................................................................................22
TRIAL BUNDLE:................................................................................................................................................................................. 23
TRIAL PROCEDURE:............................................................................................................................................................................23
JUDGEMENTS AND FINAL ORDERS:........................................................................................................................................................23
THE NATURE AND EFFECT OF JUDGEMENT:.............................................................................................................................................23
COSTS:................................................................................................................................................................................... 24
INTER-PARTES COSTS:........................................................................................................................................................................ 24
NON-PARTY COSTS:...........................................................................................................................................................................24
PART 36 OFFERS:............................................................................................................................................................................. 24
FIXED AND ASSESSED COSTS:...............................................................................................................................................................25
APPEALS:............................................................................................................................................................................... 26
PERMISSION:................................................................................................................................................................................... 26
GROUNDS FOR APPEAL:..................................................................................................................................................................... 27
ENFORCEMENT OF MONEY JUDGEMENTS:............................................................................................................................. 27
ORAL EXAMINATION:.........................................................................................................................................................................27
METHODS OF ENFORCEMENT:.............................................................................................................................................................27
PROCEDURE AND MECHANISMS FOR EFFECTING VALID ENFORCEMENT IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION:....................................................................28
DISPUTE RESOLUTION METHODS:
Consider: Relationship preservation, cost, privacy, time, flexibility, creativity of remedies,
enforceability of agreements, ability to withdraw and expertise
Arbitration:
- Arbitrator appointed, decision is binding and cannot go to court if unsatisfied [can go to court to
appeal if you believe arbitrator has misapplied the law – need permission]
- Can have specialised knowledge
Mediation:
- Independent 3rd party appointed
- Decision not binding, just tries to get settlement between parties
Litigation:
- Dispute resolved through courts, decision is binding
Refusal of ADR:
Factors considered in determining reasonableness of refusal: nature of dispute, merits of case,
extent to which other settlement methods considered, whether cost would be disproportionately high,
whether delay in setting ADR up would’ve been prejudicial, whether ADR has reasonable prospect of
success (BoP on unsuccessful party to show why sanctions should be imposed on other party)
No response to invite = unreasonable (but not failure to suggest)
Sanctions for unreasonable refusal (esp when court ordered):
- Deprivation of costs/order to pay losing party’s costs/higher rate of interest payable/depriving
party of interest on damages
Settlement agreement recording:
If proceedings haven’t commenced -> written agreement
if proceedings have commenced -> consent order, Tomlin order and additional terms in separate
settlement agreement
PRE-ACTION CONSIDERATIONS AND STEPS:
, Limitation:
- Contract: 6 years from date of breach
- Tort: 6 years from date of damage
- Tort (personal injury): 3 years from date cause of action accrues/date of knowledge
(whichever later)
- Tort Latent damage cases: 6 years from date of damage/ 3 years from date of knowledge
(whichever later) – within 15 years max
- Fatal accidents: 3 years from date of death/date of knowledge of dependent
Date of knowledge = when you know about the significant injury, its link to alleged wrongdoing, the
defendant's identity, and, if someone else is implicated, their identity and supporting facts against the
defendant.
Limitation period excludable based on: conduct of parties, reasons for delay and effect of late
claims on evidence
Contribution: limitation is 2yrs from date on which right to recover arose
Cannot enforce judgements after 6yrs from when judgement became enforceable
If C is minor then limitation period starts from 18th birthday OR if claim for fraud/deliberate
concealment/relief from mistake then limitation only starts when C discovers/could have discovered
Pre-action protocols:
Pre-action protocols -> explain conduct and steps courts expects parties to take before
commencement of claims. Prevails if conflicting with practice direction. 13 different ones exist -
Personal injury, clinical disputes, construction, engineering, defamation, professional negligence,
judicial review, disease, housing disrepair, possession claims (social landlords and mortgage arrears),
dilapidation of commercial property, low-value road traffic accident claims, and low-value employers’
liability and public liability claims.
Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct and Protocols -> if no specific pre-action protocol
applies then use this general one.
Both aim to try and achieve the overriding objective and sanctions could be imposed for non-
compliance (unless good reasons e.g. limitation period running out, element of surprise needed)
Typical pre-action steps -> Write Letter of Claim, D responds within reasonable period, parties disclose
key docs and negotiate/propose settlements
Parties and causes of action:
Decide party to claim against and place of service -> different for individual, partnerships, sole
traders, LLPs, Company, Trusts and deceased persons
Children and protected parties must usually be represented by their litigation friend (suitability
certificate served at court)
Determining jurisdiction for claim:
Courts of E&W have jurisdiction to hear the claim where…
1) There is presence in the jurisdiction (no permission required to serve)
2) Jurisdiction clause in the contract/Hague Convention applies (no permission needed)
3) D submits or agrees to jurisdiction (no permission needed)
…if none of above apply then permission needed (common law)
To serve outside the jurisdiction (to get permission), C must establish 3 things:
1) A gateway -> contract and tort requirements met OR D has domicile in E&W OR claim is for
injunction to be imposed in E&W OR necessary or proper party (part 20 claims)
2) C has reasonable prospects of success
3) E&W must be the “proper place” to bring the claim
