Lee Witcomb v J Keith Park Solicitors

Lee Witcomb v J Keith Park Solicitors

The claimant did not have knowledge of the material facts about the damage or that the damage was attributable to the defendant's acts or omissions until after January 2017, less than three years before proceedings were issued. Therefore, the claim was not statute barred under Section 14A Limitation Act 1980.

Parties
Claimant/respondent: Lee Witcomb; Defendant/appellant: J. Keith Park Solicitors
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
24 March 2023
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Appeal From High Court (queen's Bench Division) on Preliminary Issue of Limitation
Outcome
Appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Section 14 a Limitation Act 1980, Solicitor's Duty of Care, Provisional Damages, Knowledge of Attribution, Material Facts Knowledge

Case Brief

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Parties

Lee Witcomb

Claimant/respondent

J. Keith Park Solicitors

Defendant/appellant

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Appeal From High Court (queen's Bench Division) on Preliminary Issue of Limitation

  1. 1 Whether the claim was statute barred under Section 14A Limitation Act 1980
  2. 2 When the claimant acquired knowledge of material facts and attribution for limitation purposes

Ratio Decidendi

The claimant did not have knowledge of the material facts about the damage or that the damage was attributable to the defendant's acts or omissions until after January 2017, less than three years before proceedings were issued. Therefore, the claim was not statute barred under Section 14A Limitation Act 1980.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed

Orders

  • The appeal is dismissed.