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"In a case such as the present, the costs were incurred because the defendant could have, but did not, accept the claimant's offers, deciding instead to fight the case but failing to do better than the offers."
Anti-suit injunctions
In an unusual case, the English court has confirmed that an anti-suit injunction will not generally be granted in respect of foreign court proceedings solely intended to seek interim protective measures in support of an arbitral claim, but that if the foreign proceedings go beyond the seeking of protective measures, an anti-suit injunction may be granted to protect the parties’ contractual agreement to arbitrate.
SRS Middle East FZE v Chemie Tech DMCC
Illegality defence
The Supreme Court has provided clarity on the application of the illegality defence in Patel v Mirza (2016), holding that a firm of solicitors was not entitled to rely on the defence in relation to a claim against it for professional negligence brought by an individual who had committed mortgage fraud. The essential question was whether it would be contrary to the public interest to enforce a claim if to do so would be harmful to the integrity of the legal system, and in this case permitting the claim would not undermine the public policies underlying the criminalisation of mortgage fraud.
Stoffel & Co v Grondona
Part 36 offers
Emphasising the importance of giving proper consideration to Part 36 offers, the Court of Appeal has found that it would be unusual for the circumstances of a case to entitle a claimant to only some of the additional benefits available under CPR 36.17(4) where they have obtained a judgment at least as advantageous as an offer they have made.
Telefónica UK Ltd v Office of Communications
Requests for further information
In a dispute concerning the copyright in the hit song “Shape of You”, the High Court has highlighted that a respondent to an order for further information under Part 18 should not simply provide a response stating the applicant is “not entitled” to the information sought. Instead the respondent should have applied to vary or set aside the order.
Sheeran & Ors v Chokri & Ors
Service
The Court of Appeal has helpfully clarified that the “Signed for 1st class” service offered by the Royal Mail falls within the deeming provisions for service in the CPR, as either being a version of first class post, or another service providing delivery on the next business day. A reply was therefore deemed served the second day after it was posted.
Diriye v Bojaj & Anr
Third party costs orders
In a decision which warns against speculative applications for third party costs orders, the Court of Appeal has found that a judge was wrong to make no order as to costs where he considered that he was not in a position to determine such an application proportionately – such applications should only be made if they can be determined proportionately.
Deepchand & Anr v Sooben
Should you wish to discuss any of these cases in further detail, please speak with a member of our London dispute resolution team below, or your regular contact at Watson Farley & Williams:
Partner London
Partner London
Partner London
Partner London
