Magee v Willmott [2020] EWHC 1378 (QB) (29 May 2020)

Magee v Willmott [2020] EWHC 1378 (QB) (29 May 2020)

The Recorder erred by misapplying CPR 3.9 and the Denton test, failing to give proper weight to the need for efficient litigation and compliance with rules, and wrongly prioritising Article 6 ECHR. Relief from sanctions was refused as the breach was serious, caused loss of trial date, and was compounded by the Respondent's solicitor's conduct. The part of the claim relating to April 2013 was struck out for no reasonable grounds and as an abuse of process. The remainder of the claim was not struck out as an abuse of process but cannot proceed without the excluded expert evidence.

Citation
[2020] EWHC 1378
Parties
Appellant / Claimant: Simone Magee; Respondent / 2nd Defendant: Joy Angela Willmott
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
29 May 2020
Procedural Posture
Appeal (civil) / Judgment on Appeal From County Court Decision Regarding Relief From Sanctions and Strike Out Application
Outcome
Appeal allowed in part. Relief from sanctions refused. Permission to rely on late expert evidence refused. Part of claim struck out.
Legal Topics
Relief From Sanctions, Strike Out Applications, Expert Evidence, Abuse of Process, Case Management Discretion, Article 6 ECHR, Professional Negligence
Civil Procedure Medical Negligence Relief From Sanctions Strike Out Applications Expert Evidence Abuse of Process Case Management Discretion Article 6 ECHR +1 more

Case Brief

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Parties

Simone Magee

Appellant / Claimant

Joy Angela Willmott

Respondent / 2nd Defendant

Procedural Posture

Appeal (civil) / Judgment on Appeal From County Court Decision Regarding Relief From Sanctions and Strike Out Application

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the Recorder erred in granting relief from sanctions under CPR 3.9 to allow late expert evidence
  2. 2 Whether the Recorder erred in refusing to strike out the claim or part thereof for abuse of process or no reasonable grounds
  3. 3 Proper application of CPR 3.9 and the Denton test

Ratio Decidendi

The Recorder erred by misapplying CPR 3.9 and the Denton test, failing to give proper weight to the need for efficient litigation and compliance with rules, and wrongly prioritising Article 6 ECHR. Relief from sanctions was refused as the breach was serious, caused loss of trial date, and was compounded by the Respondent's solicitor's conduct. The part of the claim relating to April 2013 was struck out for no reasonable grounds and as an abuse of process. The remainder of the claim was not struck out as an abuse of process but cannot proceed without the excluded expert evidence.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed in part. Relief from sanctions refused. Permission to rely on late expert evidence refused. Part of claim struck out.

Orders

  • Claimant's application for relief from sanctions dismissed
  • Claimant refused permission to rely on expert evidence served after 15 July 2019