This blog post is by Domen Turšič, who recently visited 12 KBW as a Pegasus Scholar. Domen studied law at the Universities of Ljubljana and Cambridge and is about to start a PhD on the circumstances precluding wrongfulness in international investment arbitration. In this blog, he reflects on some of the differences of approach between the legal systems in Slovenia and in England and Wales. Continue reading The English Bar: reflections from Ljubljana
Slips, trips, and the Montreal Convention – what’s the position?
This blog post is by Max Archer and James Beeton of 12 King’s Bench Walk.
In Labbadia v Alitalia (Societa Aerea Italiana S.p.A) [2019] EWHC 2103, Margaret Obi, sitting as a Deputy High Court Judge, ruled on whether a slipping incident that took place as the Claimant disembarked from the Defendant’s flight was an ‘accident’ within the meaning of art. 17 of the Montreal Convention 1999.
The case provides a useful starting point for analysis of the particular issues associated with slipping and tripping cases under the Convention. These issues are considered in this blog post. Continue reading Slips, trips, and the Montreal Convention – what’s the position?
Latest news in X v Kuoni Travel Ltd (ABTA intervening) [2019] UKSC 37: interim judgment handed down by Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has today handed down an interim judgment in X v Kuoni Travel Ltd (ABTA intervening).
The effect of the judgment is to make a preliminary reference to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) requesting clarification of principles of EU law.
The response of the CJEU will determine the approach that is appropriate to package travel cases brought under the 1992 Regulations concerning criminal acts by employees of hotels and other suppliers of holiday services.
William Audland QC, Nina Ross and Achas Burin of 12 King’s Bench Walk appear in the case on behalf of the Respondent upon instructions from Gary Tweddle at MB Law.
The interim judgment can be found here: https://www.supremecourt.uk/cases/docs/uksc-2018-0102-judgment.pdf
The Supreme Court press release can be found here: https://www.supremecourt.uk/cases/docs/uksc-2018-0102-press-summary.pdf Continue reading Latest news in X v Kuoni Travel Ltd (ABTA intervening) [2019] UKSC 37: interim judgment handed down by Supreme Court
No fault personal injuries compensation – the New Zealand way
This blog post is by David Green, a New Zealand qualified barrister and solicitor who recently visited 12 KBW for two weeks as a Pegasus Scholar.
In 2017, Lord Sumption offered some bold views to the Personal Injuries Bar Association in a speech provocatively entitled “Abolishing Personal Injuries Law – A Project”. His proposed replacement was a system of compulsory no fault compensation, which incidentally is exactly the approach taken to personal injuries in New Zealand. This blog post sets out some reflections on the New Zealand approach in comparison to that in England and Wales. Continue reading No fault personal injuries compensation – the New Zealand way
Jurisdiction and foreign hotels post-Keefe
This blog post is by Spencer Turner of 12 King’s Bench Walk.
In Lackey v Mallorca Mega Resorts and Anor [2019] EWHC 1028 (QB), Master Davison held that the Claimant, who had been paralysed as a result of an accident at a holiday resort, could sue a Spanish hotel and its insurer in England.
There are three points of interest arising from this case:
- A party making an application to contest the jurisdiction later than 14 days post-acknowledgment of service must apply for relief from sanctions.
- Notwithstanding the Supreme Court’s decision to refer three questions to the CJEU in Hoteles Pinero Canarias SL v Keefe (Case C-491/17), this case suggests that the lower courts may be inclined to follow the Court of Appeal ([2015] EWCA Civ 598) in permitting the joinder of a foreign hotel to a direct claim against its insurer without re-referring those questions.
- However, Master Davison’s willingness to follow Keefe may also be explained by the availability of an alternative route to jurisdiction on the basis that the claimant was also suing as a “consumer” for the purposes of arts. 17 and 18 of the Recast Brussels Regulation. To qualify as a consumer, it was not necessary for the Claimant to be the member of her travelling party who had actually made the booking.
Jersey Discount Rates Coming into Force
The Damages (Jersey) Law 2019 received Privy Council Assent on 10 April and was registered by the Royal Court of Jersey today, 26th April 2019. The Law comes into force seven days after registration i.e. on 3rd May 2019.
For a summary of the New Act see our previous blog here.
Interim Payments and Foreign Law
In this blog post, Spencer Turner of 12 King’s Bench Walk considers the recent decision of Folkes (by his litigation friend Patrick Folkes) and Others v Generali Assurances [2019] EWHC 801 (QB). Nichol J held that interim payments in foreign accident claims are governed by English procedural rules: however, the foreign law remains relevant to the substantive assessment of the quantum of the payment. The decision is available here. Continue reading Interim Payments and Foreign Law
