Fresenius Kabi Deutschland GMBH & Ors v Carefusion 303 Inc

Fresenius Kabi Deutschland GMBH & Ors v Carefusion 303 Inc

The practice of making Earth Closet orders in patent litigation is not compatible with the Civil Procedure Rules, specifically CPR 38.6, and should be discontinued. The default rule that a discontinuing claimant pays the defendant's costs should apply unless cogent reasons are shown for a different order. The Earth Closet order made by Norris J should be set aside.

Parties
Claimant: Fresenius Kabi Deutschland GmbH, Fresenius Kabi AG, Fresenius Vial S.A.S., Fresenius Kabi Limited; Defendant: CareFusion 303, Inc
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
08 November 2011
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal (patent Revocation and Counterclaim for Infringement) / Appeal From Chancery Division, Patents Court, on Costs and Procedural Orders
Outcome
Appeal allowed (Fresenius permitted to challenge Earth Closet order; Earth Closet order set aside); other appeals dismissed or rendered academic.
Legal Topics
Patent Revocation, Patent Infringement, Costs Orders, Civil Procedure Rules (cpr), Discontinuance of Claims
Intellectual Property Law Civil Procedure Patent Revocation Patent Infringement Costs Orders Civil Procedure Rules (cpr) Discontinuance of Claims

Case Brief

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Parties

Fresenius Kabi Deutschland GmbH, Fresenius Kabi AG, Fresenius Vial S.A.S., Fresenius Kabi Limited

Claimant

CareFusion 303, Inc

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal (patent Revocation and Counterclaim for Infringement) / Appeal From Chancery Division, Patents Court, on Costs and Procedural Orders

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the practice of making 'Earth Closet' (See v Scott-Paine) orders in patent litigation is compatible with the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR), particularly Part 38.6 on costs after discontinuance
  2. 2 Whether the specific Earth Closet order made by Norris J should stand
  3. 3 Whether CareFusion made a valid election under the order

Ratio Decidendi

The practice of making Earth Closet orders in patent litigation is not compatible with the Civil Procedure Rules, specifically CPR 38.6, and should be discontinued. The default rule that a discontinuing claimant pays the defendant's costs should apply unless cogent reasons are shown for a different order. The Earth Closet order made by Norris J should be set aside.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed (Fresenius permitted to challenge Earth Closet order; Earth Closet order set aside); other appeals dismissed or rendered academic.

Orders

  • Permission granted to Fresenius to appeal against paragraph 6 of Norris J’s order (Earth Closet order).
  • Appeal against Earth Closet order allowed; order set aside.