header-logo header-logo

Climb every mountain...

Karen O’Sullivan reviews the recent decision in MacIntyre

The recent High Court decision of MacIntyre v MoD [2011] EWHC 1690 (QB), [2011] All ER (D) 05 (Jul) may be more interesting in what it doesn’t say than what it does, especially when considered with other recent cases of a similar ilk. The facts of the case cross the divide between dangerous sporting activities and employer liability claims.

MacIntyre is an employer’s liability case where the claimant was a junior officer in the army.  He was a novice climber and was led with another novice on a climb in the German Alps by two very experienced climbers who were also officers.  Ironically the accident happened on the ascent of a part of the mountain that was regarded as technically undemanding. This was the problem that led to the accident, in that due to the lack of steepness, the terrain carried a lot of loose rock, which was the subject of discussion prior to the assent of this part of the mountain.  The leaders

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Carey Olsen—Kim Paiva

Carey Olsen—Kim Paiva

Group partner joins Guernsey banking and finance practice

Morgan Lewis—Kat Gibson

Morgan Lewis—Kat Gibson

London labour and employment team announces partner hire

Foot Anstey McKees—Chris Milligan & Michael Kelly

Foot Anstey McKees—Chris Milligan & Michael Kelly

Double partner appointment marks Belfast expansion

NEWS
Is a suspect’s state of mind a ‘fact’ capable of triggering adverse inferences? Writing in NLJ this week, Andrew Smith of Corker Binning examines how R v Leslie reshapes the debate
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has not done enough to protect the future sustainability of the legal aid market, MPs have warned
Writing in NLJ this week, NLJ columnist Dominic Regan surveys a landscape marked by leapfrog appeals, costs skirmishes and notable retirements. With an appeal in Mazur due to be heard next month, Regan notes that uncertainties remain over who will intervene, and hopes for the involvement of the Lady Chief Justice and the Master of the Rolls in deciding the all-important outcome
After the Southport murders and the misinformation that followed, contempt of court law has come under intense scrutiny. In this week's NLJ, Lawrence McNamara and Lauren Schaefer of the Law Commission unpack proposals aimed at restoring clarity without sacrificing fair trial rights
The latest Home Office figures confirm that stop and search remains both controversial and diminished. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Parpworth of De Montfort University analyses data showing historically low use of s 1 PACE powers, with drugs searches dominating what remains
back-to-top-scroll