Tatiana Soroka v Payne Hicks Beach (A Firm)

Tatiana Soroka v Payne Hicks Beach (A Firm)

There is no sufficiently clear bright line between breach/duty and causation/loss in this case. The risks of overlap, delay, increased costs, prejudice to witnesses, and lack of enhanced settlement prospects outweigh any potential benefits. The overriding objective and good case management require all issues to be determined together in a single trial.

Parties
Claimant: Tatiana Soroka; Defendant: Payne Hicks Beach (A Firm)
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
18 March 2025
Procedural Posture
Professional Negligence / Ruling on Application for Split Trial at Case Management Conference
Outcome
Claimant's application for a split trial refused.
Legal Topics
Split Trial, Case Management, Breach of Duty, Causation, Loss, ADR, Disclosure, Expert Evidence
Civil Procedure Professional Negligence Split Trial Case Management Breach of Duty Causation Loss ADR +2 more

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Parties

Tatiana Soroka

Claimant

Payne Hicks Beach (A Firm)

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Professional Negligence / Ruling on Application for Split Trial at Case Management Conference

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether a split trial should be ordered to determine breach and duty before causation and loss
  2. 2 Whether there is a clear bright line between breach/duty and causation/loss issues
  3. 3 Whether a split trial would enhance prospects of settlement or ADR

Ratio Decidendi

There is no sufficiently clear bright line between breach/duty and causation/loss in this case. The risks of overlap, delay, increased costs, prejudice to witnesses, and lack of enhanced settlement prospects outweigh any potential benefits. The overriding objective and good case management require all issues to be determined together in a single trial.

Court Disposition

Claimant's application for a split trial refused.

Orders

  • Full trial to be listed in a window commencing October 2026.
  • Claimant ordered to respond to Defendant's second Request for Further Information by 28 March 2025.