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Claims Handling . Kennedys’ Local Authority Unit Richard West - Partner Andrew Caplan - Partner r.west@kennedys-law.com 01277 698736 a.caplan@kennedys-law.com 01277 698755. Claims Handling . Richard West Personal Injury Pre action Protocol
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Claims Handling Kennedys’ Local Authority Unit Richard West - Partner Andrew Caplan - Partner r.west@kennedys-law.com 01277 698736 a.caplan@kennedys-law.com 01277 698755
Claims Handling Richard West Personal Injury Pre action Protocol Housing Disrepair Pre action Protocol Andrew Caplan Pre action disclosure Statements
Personal Injury Pre action Protocol (PIPAP) • Well known and well used • Recent case law impacts significantly • Admissions – Mallia v LB Islington, Walsh v Liverpool City Council • Costs – Abrew v Tesco Stores • Pre action disclosure
Pre action Protocols – General • Costs sanctions for a Claimant’s breach – Daejan Investments Ltd v Park West Club Ltd • Unreasonable behaviour cuts both ways - K (A Child) v Malpas
Housing Disrepair Pre Action Protocol (HDPIP) • Time far more limited • Saddled with a single joint expert? • A protocol of last resort! • Use of a local authority’s complaints process
Protocols and Claims Handling • Whichever protocol applies, default by a Defendant will not be well regarded by the court • Time limits – sacrosanct for a Defendant • Some successful sanctions now against Claimants
Protocols and Claims Experience PIPAPP Defendants given little latitude HDPIP Claimants given more – but not carte blanche General
Claims Handling • What is effective claims Handling? • How can pre litigation claims handling impact on the litigation process?
Documents • How wide should the search go? • The Pre Action Protocol (Highways) states: • Records of inspections for the relevant stretch of Highway • Maintenance records including any contractors working in the relevant area • Records of complaints about the state of the Highways • Other accident on the relevant stretch of Highway
Owen –v- City Of Westminster • Highways tripping claim • Disclosure limited to the immediate accident vicinity • “Disclosure may now be limited to a selection of documents confined to those that a particular party may consider appropriate for disclosure”
Disclosure • Records of complaints about the Highways • Conclusion • The role of the disclosure officer
Pre Action Disclosure Applications • CPR 36.16 • Disclosure is desirable in order to • Dispose fairly of the proceedings • Assist the parties to resolve claims within proceedings • Save costs
Pre Action Disclosure • Chritchard –v- devon CC (unreported 15.7.03) • CPR 31.16 • Specify documents to be disclosed • Specify which are no longer in possession (and why) • Specify why they are entitled to withhold them
Disclosure tactics • Focussed disclosure • Keep copies of pre action disclosure • Appoint an officer • Avoid pre action application
Statements • The generic statement • Specific statement
Claims Handling Richard West and Andrew Caplan. Kennedys’ Local Authority Unit. r.west@kennedyslaw.com 01277 698736 a.caplan@kennedys-law.com 01277 698755