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NLJ this week: Don’t be vague in your points of dispute

30 June 2023
Issue: 8031 / Categories: Legal News , Costs , Procedure & practice
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It pays to be specific when setting out points of dispute, as Laura Rees, council member of the Association of Costs Lawyers, explains in this week’s NLJ

Rees refers to a recent Court of Appeal case of Ainsworth v Stewarts Law, which was ‘the first case of its kind to raise an issue with the content of the points of dispute’.

Rees looks at this case and other recent caselaw where ‘generic points of dispute’ were found wanting. She shares advice on how to make points of dispute specific and clear, while acknowledging that this can be a difficult and arduous task.

Rees writes: ‘What is clear is that specific items and entries need to be itemised, with a clear objection made for each entry as to why the time is being challenged.’ 

MOVERS & SHAKERS

HFW—Guy Marrison

HFW—Guy Marrison

Global aviation disputes practice boosted by London partner hire

Morrison Foerster—Jenny Galloway & Luke Rowland

Morrison Foerster—Jenny Galloway & Luke Rowland

Firm grows London practice with two partner promotions

Hogan Lovells—David Hansom

Hogan Lovells—David Hansom

Government contracts and procurement practice expands with London partner hire

NEWS
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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
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A construction defect claim in the Court of Appeal offers a sharp lesson in pleading discipline. In his latest 'Civil way' column for NLJ, Stephen Gold explains how a catastrophically drafted schedule of loss derailed otherwise viable claims. Across the areas explored in this week's column, the message is consistent: clarity, economy and proper pleading matter more than ever
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