Emma-Louise Stewart v Thames Water Utilities Limited

Emma-Louise Stewart v Thames Water Utilities Limited

The appeal was dismissed because the lower court correctly applied the legal tests for relief from sanctions and summary judgment, made appropriate accommodations for the claimant's vulnerabilities, and found the claim to be speculative and unsupported by evidence, with no real prospect of success.

Parties
Appellant/claimant: Emma-Louise Stewart; Respondent/defendant: Thames Water Utilities Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
27 November 2025
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Appeal From Summary Judgment and Refusal of Relief From Sanctions
Outcome
Appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Summary Judgment, Relief From Sanctions, Business Interruption Loss, Negligence, Fair Hearing, Disability Adjustments
Civil Procedure Tort Summary Judgment Relief From Sanctions Business Interruption Loss Negligence Fair Hearing Disability Adjustments

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Parties

Emma-Louise Stewart

Appellant/claimant

Thames Water Utilities Limited

Respondent/defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Appeal From Summary Judgment and Refusal of Relief From Sanctions

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the lower court erred in refusing relief from sanctions to the claimant
  2. 2 Whether the lower court erred in granting summary judgment to the defendant
  3. 3 Whether the hearing process was unfair due to the claimant's disability and status as a litigant in person

Ratio Decidendi

The appeal was dismissed because the lower court correctly applied the legal tests for relief from sanctions and summary judgment, made appropriate accommodations for the claimant's vulnerabilities, and found the claim to be speculative and unsupported by evidence, with no real prospect of success.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed

Orders

  • Renewed application for permission to appeal is dismissed