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Claims Handling

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

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  1. 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

  2. Claims Handling Richard West Personal Injury Pre action Protocol Housing Disrepair Pre action Protocol Andrew Caplan Pre action disclosure Statements

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. Protocols and Claims Experience PIPAPP Defendants given little latitude HDPIP Claimants given more – but not carte blanche General

  8. In brief….

  9. Claims Handling • What is effective claims Handling? • How can pre litigation claims handling impact on the litigation process?

  10. 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

  11. 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”

  12. Disclosure • Records of complaints about the Highways • Conclusion • The role of the disclosure officer

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. Disclosure tactics • Focussed disclosure • Keep copies of pre action disclosure • Appoint an officer • Avoid pre action application

  16. Statements • The generic statement • Specific statement

  17. Claims Handling Richard West and Andrew Caplan. Kennedys’ Local Authority Unit. r.west@kennedyslaw.com 01277 698736 a.caplan@kennedys-law.com 01277 698755

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