Professor Brian Clarke v Marlborough Fine Art (London) (Ltd) & Ors (2002)

Judgment Date: 18 Jan 02

Summary Expert opinion from a lawyer specialising in art law was not likely to provide the court with material assistance in determining the issues of liability in an action concerning alleged breach of fiduciary duty owed by a gallery to an artist. Facts Claimant's application to adduce additional expert evidence...

Dranez Anstalt & Ors v Zamir Hayek & Ors (2001)

Judgment Date: 20 Dec 01

Summary The designer of a mechanical ventilator who was a former director and employee of the claimant companies was not guilty of passing off or misuse of trade secrets or confidential information by setting up a competing business. However, the investors in the claimant companies were entitled to enforce an...

Alexia Diane Donlon v Greythorn Holdings Ltd sub nom In the matter of Greythorn Ltd (2001)

Judgment Date: 18 Dec 01

Summary It was arguable not only that a person invoking the compulsory acquisition procedure under ss.428 to 430F Companies Act 1985 had no right to withdraw a notice given under s.429 of the Act, but also that the court had jurisdiction to require that person to purchase the shares of any...

Law Society v Naomi Southall (2001)

Judgment Date: 14 Dec 01

Summary There was no evidence from which the judge could have properly concluded that the Law Society had a real prospect of succeeding on its claim under s.423 Insolvency Act 1986 to set aside transfers of chattels made by a deceased solicitor. Facts Defendant's ('D') appeal from that part of the...

Re Phoneer Ltd

Judgment Date: 13 Dec 01

Summary Although not an act of the company, a director's conduct in withdrawing from the management of that company amounted to a breach of an agreement concerning the company's affairs and thus justified a winding-up petition under s.459 of the Companies Act 1985. Facts Trial of two winding-up petitions concerning a...

Inland Revenue Commissioners v Barbara Jane Fry (2001)

Judgment Date: 30 Nov 01

Summary The mere banking of a cheque by the Inland Revenue did not give rise to any contract whereby it accepted the amount of that cheque in full and final settlement of the amount of tax due from the taxpayer. Facts Claimant's action for £113,082 odd plus interest in respect of...

BHP Petroleum Great Britain Ltd v Chesterfield Properties Ltd (2001)

Judgment Date: 30 Nov 01

Summary Covenants by a landlord that were expressed to be "personal" to that landlord were not "landlord covenants" and could not, therefore, be released by notice served under s.8 Landlord and Tenant (Covenants) Act 1995. * Leave to appeal to the House of Lords refused. Facts Appeal by the first defendant ('Chesterfield')...

Barings PLC (in liquidation) & Anor v Coopers & Lybrand (A Firm) & Ors (2001)

Judgment Date: 23 Nov 01

Summary The claimant, in an action for negligent misstatement, had to plead the circumstances on the basis of which it alleged that the defendant knew of the intended transaction of the claimant and its reliance on the defendant for that purpose. A subsidiary auditor was not to be treated as...

Hurstwood v Motor & General & Aldersley Insurance Services Ltd (2001)

Judgment Date: 21 Nov 01

Summary A CPR Part 20 claim for a contribution was allowable where the parties were each liable for the same damage even though the nature of the parties' liability differed. Facts Appeal by the claimant ('H') from a decision of the High Court striking out a Part 20 claim by the defendant ...