Abbotsley Limited & Anor v Pheasantland Limited & Ors

Abbotsley Limited & Anor v Pheasantland Limited & Ors

The recusal application was dismissed as totally without merit; delays and procedural errors by the court do not amount to apparent bias. The transfer application was refused as the case has no sufficient connection to Central London and transfer would cause further delay. The adjournment was granted due to court...

Source-derived case information.

Parties
Claimant: Abbotsley Limited; Claimant: Vivien Inez Saunders; Defendant: Pheasantland Limited; Defendant: Keith Malcolm Blackall; Defendant: Christina Blackall; Defendant: John Alan Gearing; Defendant: Virginia Lynn Melesi; Defendant: Stephen John Newland; Defendant: Laurence Antony Honeywill; Defendant: Darren Honeywill; Defendant: Alan James Steele; Defendant: Valerie Anne Holliman; Defendant: Joy Carroll Seiller; Defendant: Neil Raymond Warren (Deceased); Defendant: Jeremy Charles Ian Brindley; Defendant: A person known as Colm
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
02 April 2025
Procedural Posture
Civil / Interlocutory Applications and Case Management
Outcome
Recusal application dismissed; transfer application refused; adjournment granted.
Legal Topics
Recusal, Adjournment, Transfer of Proceedings, Costs Budgeting, Case Management
Civil Procedure Property Law Recusal Adjournment Transfer of Proceedings Costs Budgeting Case Management

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Parties

Abbotsley Limited

Claimant

Vivien Inez Saunders

Claimant

Pheasantland Limited

Defendant

Keith Malcolm Blackall

Defendant

Christina Blackall

Defendant

John Alan Gearing

Defendant

Virginia Lynn Melesi

Defendant

Stephen John Newland

Defendant

Laurence Antony Honeywill

Defendant

Darren Honeywill

Defendant

Alan James Steele

Defendant

Valerie Anne Holliman

Defendant

Joy Carroll Seiller

Defendant

Neil Raymond Warren (Deceased)

Defendant

Jeremy Charles Ian Brindley

Defendant

A person known as Colm

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil / Interlocutory Applications and Case Management

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the judge should recuse herself for apparent bias
  2. 2 Whether the proceedings should be transferred to another court
  3. 3 Whether the trial should be adjourned

Ratio Decidendi

The recusal application was dismissed as totally without merit; delays and procedural errors by the court do not amount to apparent bias. The transfer application was refused as the case has no sufficient connection to Central London and transfer would cause further delay. The adjournment was granted due to court error in listing and failure to hold a CCMC, which jeopardized a fair trial.

Court Disposition

Recusal application dismissed; transfer application refused; adjournment granted.

Orders

  • Trial vacated from 27 February 2025 to 19 March 2025; relisted for 29 April 2025 to 23 May 2025, with possible non-sitting days 12-15 May 2025.
  • Trial of issues involving thirteenth defendant listed for 27 and 28 May 2025.