Category: Civil Procedure Rules

Expert Litigation Barristers and Solicitors

When Stalled Litigation is an Abuse of the Proper Process of the Court

In addressing the challenge of stalled litigation, the Civil Procedure Rules provide an extensive legal framework designed to facilitate swift and just resolution of cases. Central to this framework is the overriding objective of the CPR, which mandates that cases should be handled justly and at proportionate cost.

"Adam Graham" Justfix Crypoto litigation England UK solicitors

Cryptocurrency Litigation Success: Assessing Compensatory Damages in Lieu of an Injunction for Specific Performance

We successfully represented a client in a significant cryptocurrency loan dispute. On 2 July 2024, the High Court handed down a judgment varying the valuation date for assessing damages in lieu of specific performance. Initially, the County Court had set the valuation date at the breach in 2019, which did not account for the significant increase in Ethereum’s value.

Section 994 Petitions, Companies Act 2016

Quick Guide: s.994 Companies Act Unfair Prejudice Petitions

English law Unfair Prejudice Petitions offer a remedy for minority shareholders facing oppression by the majority within a company. Where the prospect of winding-up proves undesirable, section 994(1) of the Companies Act 2006 provides an alternative avenue for seeking redress. At LEXLAW, our expert company law team specialises in navigating the complexities of shareholder disputes and unfair prejudice claims.

lukoil litasco sanctions trade force majeure litigation lawyers solicitors barristers in london uk

Court Dismisses Force Majeure & Trade Sanctions Control Defences

The High Court, in its decision on Litasco SA v Der Mond Oil and Gas Africa SA & Anor [2023] EWHC 2866 (Comm), clarified the application of force majeure and the “ownership and control” test under UK sanctions law. It emphasized that significant difficulty, nearly impossible to overcome, is necessary to invoke force majeure for debt obligations. The ruling further established stringent criteria for proving “control” in relation to sanctioned entities, highlighting the necessity for actual influence over business decisions, rather than theoretical possibilities, to satisfy this condition. This decision provides a clearer framework for businesses handling contracts under these terms.

Using Unless Orders to force payment of Unpaid Costs Orders

Unless Orders are judicial directives that can force a non-compliant party to comply with a previous court order. Specifically, in the context of outstanding costs orders, Unless Orders can help ensure financial obligations are paid out.

Court Judgment Highlights Rules Regarding Claim Form Service

The case of Dr Markus Boettcher v (Xio (UK) LLP & Ors [2023] EWHC 801 (Comm) (05 April 2023) recently had an interim judgment decided by the Commercial Court.

Indemnity Costs in Litigation

Indemnity Costs in Litigation

An award of indemnity costs might give a party in a lawsuit a major advantage, due to the fact that the paying party will be responsible for the legal expenses and the proportionality criterion will not be applied. Since costs on the standard basis are the norm, the indemnity costs principle (included in Civil Procedure Rules 44.3(3)) can be considered punitive in nature.

Challenging Validity of Discovery Assessments; Robert Don Hunter Dougan v HMRC

In the case of Robert Don Hunter Dougan v HMRC [2022] TC8471, the First Tier Tribunal (“FTT”) ruled the taxpayer had not deliberately intended to cause a loss…

High Court provides reminder of the strict rules on valid service of the Claim Form

High Court rejects retrospective (one day) extension of time for service of the sealed Claim Form. The Claimant has a potential professional negligence claim against its’ solicitors.