header-logo header-logo

02 May 2025 / Dominic Regan
Issue: 8114 / Categories: Opinion , Legal services , Profession , Damages , Expert Witness
printer mail-detail

The insider: 2 May 2025

217366
Can you call it? Dominic Regan plays damages bingo & enjoys a sunny day in court

The eye-watering amount supposedly at stake in the secret car finance commission litigation is estimated at £44bn. Last October, the Court of Appeal found outright for the various claimants in Johnson v FirstRand Bank [2024] EWCA Civ 1282. In April, the Supreme Court heard the lenders’ appeal over three days.

I dropped in to hear the closing submissions of Rob Weir KC who had won in the court below. As a regular visitor, I was taken aback to discover that it was entrance by ticket only. I detected claims management chancers in the throng. The first-floor court was used for overflow, and it was lovely with sunlight pouring in, acres of space and a video link to upstairs.

In another life Weir could be a bingo caller par excellence. He sailed seamlessly through an ocean of page and paragraph references. Every question put to him by the Bench was answered directly and

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

Shakespeare Martineau—David Vaughan

Shakespeare Martineau—David Vaughan

Shakespeare Martineau appoints new London office head as firm continues investment in capital

Browne Jacobson—Kevin Moore

Browne Jacobson—Kevin Moore

Browne Jacobson strengthens All-Island life sciences platform with appointment of leading Galway MedTech lawyer

Clarke Willmott—Latitude Law

Clarke Willmott—Latitude Law

National law firm strengthens commercial offering with acquisition of leading immigration practice

NEWS
Mr Justice Nicklin’s decision to order costs on an indemnity basis may be a ‘significant win’ but it’s still ‘far from game, set and match’ for Associated Newspapers, a former costs judge has said
The Law Society RFC Festival of Sport returns next month, bringing together legal and financial services professionals for one of the sector’s largest annual sporting events
Legal aid deserts leave almost one in four without adequate access to justice
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has warned solicitors and law firms that using artificial intelligence does not alter their professional obligations, amid concerns over inaccurate legal material and client confidentiality
Can a meticulously maintained spreadsheet turn a couple’s informal financial arrangements into legally enforceable obligations? 
back-to-top-scroll