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A practical alphabet

03 July 2015 / Clare Arthurs , Richard Marshall
Issue: 7659 / Categories: Features , Profession
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Clare Arthurs & Richard Marshall share an (almost) A-Z guide to pre-action considerations

Alternative dispute resolution

The courts genuinely want and expect parties to settle. Parties will need to prove that they have considered, offered or undertaken a form of ADR.

Be reasonable

The courts will see most of the correspondence, and a measured approach should (in theory) play out better than an unreasonable one.

Costs

Any disproportionate or unnecessary pre-action costs may not be recoverable from the other side.

Documents

What documents might you need to share with the other side at this early stage in order for them to make an informed decision about how to proceed?

Experts

What expert evidence might be needed to support your case or challenge the other side’s? Is it worth getting a preliminary advice to properly assess the strengths and weaknesses of the case?

Funding

Is there an insurance policy in place that might cover the potential litigation? Would ATE insurance be appropriate?

Get specialist advice (if required).

Counsel can prove a useful sounding board

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