Content by Philip Godfrey

This blog was written by Philip Godfrey of Ropewalk Chambers and Christine Allen of Weightmans. In a recent appeal in the case of Thrush v RG Buckle before HHJ Gosnell sitting in the County Court at Leeds, the issue of disclosure of occupational health records held by unpursued employers was considered by the Court. Philip Godfrey,…

What approach should the court take when there is a fundamental dispute of fact between an individual’s recollection given in witness evidence and contemporaneous medical records? This was the issue in the trial of HTR v Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust [2021] EWHC 3228 (QB), heard by Cotter J between 5 and 7 October 2021.…

This case considered the interplay between hospital guidelines and breach of duty in the clinical negligence setting. In summary, the Court found that: The guideline relied upon by the Claimant did not apply to the procedure that he underwent. In any event, even if it did apply: (a) Derogation from the guideline was not negligent…

On 27 July 2021, the Court of Appeal handed down judgment in Ministry of Defence v Sivaji [2021] EWCA Civ 1163 which addresses the procedural rules for “show cause” hearings under CPR PD3D. Occasionally, judges act unpredictably. This can range from an awkward question to an unexpected costs order. That is all par for the…

In Scarborough College Ltd v Winter [2021] EWHC 1549 (QB), the High Court considered an appeal by a Defendant against the decision of a Master to enter judgment under CPR PD3D (the show cause procedure). The appeal was dismissed. Cavanagh J held that Judgment had been appropriately entered. The Facts The Claimant, now deceased, was a…

In Jarman v Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust [2021] EWHC 323 (QB), the Claimant brought a claim against the Defendant hospital for failing to promptly diagnose Cauda Equina Syndrome (“CES”). This case is of note for two reasons: The Court re-emphasised the urgent nature of CES treatment. The Court provided an overview of…

The recent case of Hopkins v (1) Akramy (2) Badger Group (3) NHS Commissioning Board [2020] EWHC 3445 (QB) considered whether an NHS Primary Care Trust owed a non-delegable duty of care with regard to healthcare services provided by a third party. HHJ Melissa Clarke, sitting as a Judge of the High Court, held that…

In Hopkins v (1) Akramy (2) Badger Group (3) NHS Commissioning Board [2020] EWHC 3445 (QB), the High Court considered, as a preliminary issue, whether an NHS Primary Care Trust (“PCT”) owed a non-delegable duty of care for health services provided to NHS patients by a private company. HHJ Melissa Clarke, sitting as a Judge of the…

The High Court has handed down judgment in the case of Holmes v S & B Concrete Ltd [2020] EWHC 2277 (QB), holding that a Claimant bringing a claim for personal injury cannot generally rely upon the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 to avoid a limitation defence. To read the  judgment, please click here. Defendant insurers responding…

In his latest article, Philip Godfrey discusses the recent ruling of Holmes -v- S & B Concrete Ltd and its impact on cases where the Defendant company has been in liquidation and then dissolved. Please click here to read.

In this article, Philip Godfrey considers the liability of water utility companies for personal injury arising out of accidents involving shared drains on private land. Please click here to view the full article.

In his latest article, Philip Godfrey considers the liability of water utility companies for personal injury arising out of accidents involving shared drains on private land. Please click here for the full article.

Click here to view the McDonald v National Grid – Decision of the Supreme Court PDF.