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In the heat of battle...

10 November 2017 / Dominic Regan
Issue: 7769 / Categories: Features , Profession
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Dominic Regan recounts tales of momentous show downs, fibbing & worse in & out of court

Trial represents the culmination of a dispute. Like a boxing match, two opponents enter the ring, each believing they will win. One is going to be disappointed. Worse still, each party will be confronted by a hostile opponent. To cap it all, a testy judge can let rip. Those considerations regularly provoke settlement, with particular emphasis on ADR. However, a steady flow of optimists fight on.

Prove it or lose it

Anything and everything can go wrong. Marathon Asset Management LLP v Seddon (2017) 2 Costs LR 255. The claimant had rejected a Pt 36 offer to settle pitched at £1.5m. The trial did not quite go to plan. While there was breach there was no evidence of consequential loss. A slightly lower award of £1 was made. Prove it or lose it as the old litigation adage goes.

Tales from the dock

Experts are regularly paid large sums of money for their litigation opinions. I felt utter

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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

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