header-logo header-logo

The lie(s) of the land

05 November 2020 / Dominic Regan
Issue: 7909 / Categories: Features , Profession
printer mail-detail
31237
Dominic Regan tells tales of ‘questionable’ representations & asks if enough is being done to drive out the fibbers from the law

Earlier this year the wording of the Statement of Truth as appended to statements of case, witness statements and other materials was overhauled. A new sentence was added. It reads: ‘I understand that proceedings for contempt of court may be brought against anyone who makes, or causes to be made, a false statement in a document verified by a statement of truth without an honest belief in its truth.’

The undoubted intention was to flag up the adverse consequences of making false representations but will it make a blind bit of difference? The law reports are bursting with examples of people involved in litigation talking total tosh.

Implausible

In the recent case of RE MKG Convenience Ltd [2020] EWHC 547 (Ch) liquidators were in pursuit of the goods, takings and other assets which had vanished without a trace when a small chain of convenience stores folded. In particular, where had the money

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

Freeths—Ruth Clare

Freeths—Ruth Clare

National real estate team bolstered by partner hire in Manchester

Farrer & Co—Claire Gordon

Farrer & Co—Claire Gordon

Partner appointed head of family team

mfg Solicitors—Neil Harrison

mfg Solicitors—Neil Harrison

Firm strengthens agriculture and rural affairs team with partner return

NEWS
Conveyancing lawyers have enjoyed a rapid win after campaigning against UK Finance’s decision to charge for access to the Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has launched a recruitment drive for talented early career and more senior barristers and solicitors
Regulators differed in the clarity and consistency of their post-Mazur advice and guidance, according to an interim report by the Legal Services Board (LSB)
The Solicitors Act 1974 may still underpin legal regulation, but its age is increasingly showing. Writing in NLJ this week, Victoria Morrison-Hughes of the Association of Costs Lawyers argues that the Act is ‘out of step with modern consumer law’ and actively deters fairness
A Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) ruling has reopened debate on the availability of ‘user damages’ in competition claims. Writing in NLJ this week, Edward Nyman of Hausfeld explains how the CAT allowed Dr Liza Lovdahl Gormsen’s alternative damages case against Meta to proceed, rejecting arguments that such damages are barred in competition law
back-to-top-scroll