In this blog post, I consider the recent decision of the Commercial Court in AIG Europe Ltd v OC320301 LLP. The case concerned a claim brought by AIG (a qualified insurer within the Solicitors’ Professional Indemnity market) against its insured for a declaration that its liability was limited to £3 million in the context of an £11 million claim. The decision is the first case to reach trial on the current wording of the SRA’s Minimum Terms of Cover. Continue reading
Court fees in personal injury and clinical negligence litigation have increased dramatically in recent times. Section 180 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 empowered the Lord Chancellor to set “enhanced” court fees. It states that “A fee prescribed…must be used to finance an efficient and effective system of courts and tribunals”. However, the act does not further define what is meant by “efficient and effective”. Is the money to be used to provide more staff, or newer buildings, or more costs budgeting training for judges, or better biros? Continue reading
Practitioners should take note that from 1 October 2015, there will be additional grounds on which they may serve defendants domiciled outside Europe, subject to the court’s permission. The making document published as part of the 81st update to the CPR introduces new jurisdictional gateways and amends some of the existing jurisdictional gateways in paragraph 3.1 of PD 6B.
The changes will be welcome by claimants involved in disputes with an international element. Continue reading