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15 May 2008
Issue: 7321 / Categories: Case law , Public , Law digest , Damages
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Tort

4 Eng Ltd v Harper and another [2008] EWHC 915 (Ch), [2008] All ER (D) 400 (Apr)

 

There is no objection in principle to recovery of damages for loss of a chance in an action for deceit.

 

If the loss of the chance is damage directly caused by the defendant’s deceit, it is as much within the scope of damages for deceit as payments or liabilities in fact made or incurred by the claimant or as damages for the loss of profits in a hypothetical alternative business established on the balance of probabilities.

 

If damages for loss of a chance were recoverable in negligence, they should also be recoverable in deceit. Moreover, the foreseeability of a head of loss is irrelevant in the award of damages for deceit. A loss is too remote only if it is not in the eyes of the law directly caused by a defendant’s deceit (Mr Justice Richards at 44 and 46).

 

Issue: 7321 / Categories: Case law , Public , Law digest , Damages
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Bell Yard Kysen—Liz Giles

Bell Yard Kysen—Liz Giles

Bell Yard Kysen appoints senior legal PR and ex-government communications adviser, Liz Giles

Clarke Willmott—Lee Edwards

Clarke Willmott—Lee Edwards

Clarke Willmott boosts Southampton commercial property team with addition of partner Lee Edwards

Lime Solicitors—four promotions

Lime Solicitors—four promotions

Lime Solicitors announces four promotions

NEWS
The Attorney General, Ellie Reeves KC MP, and Solicitor General, Andy Slaughter KC MP, marked the 25th anniversary of Pro Bono Week by joining lawyers, charities, students and parliamentarians at events celebrating voluntary legal work
A polished legal defence may owe more to artificial intelligence than legal merit—and creditors risk paying the price in delay and expense
Witness evidence can be compromised by AI before a solicitor sees the draft, leaving safeguards focused on authorship incomplete
Should a conviction stand when a later ruling reveals that the law underpinning it was wrong? The answer exposes a clash between finality and justice
The Environment Agency can prosecute offences beyond environmental legislation where proceedings support its statutory functions, the Divisional Court has confirmed
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