Commercial litigation podcast series – Episode 21: General update

In this 21st episode of our series of commercial litigation update podcasts, we look at developments relating to litigation funding since the Supreme Court’s dramatic decision in Paccar in late July, as well as brief updates on ADR, pre-action conduct and costs. We also discuss developments relating to Russian sanctioned parties, and the disqualification proceedings … Read more

Pre-action protocols: Civil Justice Council recommends mandatory pre-action ADR but will consider more flexible bespoke protocol for commercial cases

The Civil Justice Council (CJC) has issued a report recommending substantial changes to the regime of pre-action protocols (PAPs) which parties are expected to follow before civil proceedings are commenced in the English courts. Since 2020, a CJC working group has been undertaking a fundamental review of the role that PAPs play in the civil … Read more

UK government confirms plans for compulsory mediation in the County Court and decides against statutory regulation of the mediation sector

The UK government has announced that it is proceeding with plans to introduce compulsory mediation as a mandatory procedural step in all Small Claims in the County Court.  All parties in cases allocated to the Small Claims track (ie most claims valued below £10,000) will be required to attend a free mediation appointment with a … Read more

The UK will join the Singapore Convention – so what now?

The UK government announced last week that it will sign and ratify the Singapore Convention, which establishes a global framework for the direct enforcement of mediated settlements of cross-border commercial disputes. Many UK and foreign businesses are now turning their minds to what that means for international commercial disputes with a UK connection. For more … Read more

Court of Appeal interprets settlement agreement as releasing party’s own affiliates, including former administrators and their solicitors

The Court of Appeal has held that a settlement agreement between a bank and a group of companies which included releases of the parties’ affiliates prevented the companies from later pursuing claims against their own affiliates. Those affiliates were held to include former administrators appointed by the bank and the administrators’ solicitors: Schofield v Smith [2022] … Read more

Article published – Compulsory ADR: a commercial litigation perspective

The English courts have for many years recognised the benefits of ADR and encouraged parties to engage in it. That endorsement has become all the more pronounced with recent statements by the Master of the Rolls to the effect that there is nothing “alternative” about ADR. In this regard an issue which arises, and has … Read more