News

Appearing before Mrs Justice Laing DBE, Mr England was successful in obtaining permission to appeal at a rule 3(10) hearing as part of the ELAAS scheme. In granting permission, the EAT praised Mr England for his “very clear submissions”. The case involved a job coach employed by one of the UK’s largest ‘welfare to work’ training providers and whose claims of discrimination had been struck out at a preliminary hearing as having no reasonable prospect...

On 22 March 2017 the Court of Appeal delivered a short but important unanimous judgment on the construction and interpretation of a notice purportedly served pursuant to s.128 of the Housing Act 1996. Edward Ross examines the facts surrounding the judgment and its potential impact on the validity of notices. To read Edward's full analysis, please click here.

3PB Family has added 3 new barristers to its rapidly expanding specialist team. Oliver Thorne (2005 call), formerly of King’s Bench Chambers, will be based in Bournemouth; while Kara Cann (2012 call) joins the family team in London from 1 Gray’s Inn Square. Oliver and Kara join recent family team recruit Matiss Krumins (2008 call) who joined the set’s Birmingham Chambers last month from Birmingham City Council. Oliver Thorne was called to the Bar in...

The Supreme Court has recently heard a challenge to the SAAMCO ‘scope of duty’ principle, in the context of a professional negligence claim against conveyancers. Seb Oram analyses the recent, landmark decision in BPE Solicitors v. Hughes-Holland [2017] UKSC 21 (SC) that considers how the scope of duty principle applies. To read Seb's article, click here. Seb is a commercial barrister who regularly acts in professional negligence claims against professionals in the legal, property and...

Hamish Dunlop, Head of 3PB’s Family Law Group, led by Nigel Dyer QC, has represented the respondent in the groundbreaking Owens v Owens case. The Court of Appeal ruled the appellant would not be granted a divorce on the basis that a ‘wretchedly unhappy marriage’ was not grounds for divorce and found that the respondent’s behaviour amounted to ‘minor altercations of a kind to be expected in a marriage’. The case brought Munby P to...

Head of 3PB’s Family Law Group Hamish Dunlop draws conclusions from The Blue Cross and others v. Heather Ilot [[2017] UKSC 17] On 15th March 2017, the Supreme Court gave judgment in the appeal of The Blue Cross and others –v- Heather Ilot [[2017] UKSC 17].  The case concerns Mrs Ilot’s application brought under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 (‘the Act’). Although the Act is now over 40 years old, it...

3PB’s Graham Gilbert examines the trend for lesser sentences in offences of reckless arson. Two recent appeals against sentences passed for offences of reckless arson have been successful and the sentences passed in each case have been reduced. It appears that this represents a growing trend for lesser sentences for this offence. To read the full article, please click here.

3PB Barristers' Commercial law group brings you the Spring Edition of its Business & Commercial Legal Update Handout. Please click here to view it. Topics Incomplete contracts and implied terms: Wells v. Devani [2016] EWCA Civ 1106 Directions that override limitation provisions, when restoring a company to the register: Davy v Pickering [2017] EWCA Civ 30 Contract: remedies and loss of chance: Scottish Power v BP and McGill v SEM Civil Procedure: costs and security for costs: a.      departing from...

Many thanks to everyone who attended our Construction Law Breakfast at The Glassboat, Bristol on 16 March, with presentations from Paul Newman and James Davison. Feedback indicated that the presentations were informative and delegates enjoyed the hot bacon rolls. We welcomed your kind and appreciative feedback and the audience contributions to the question and answer session. Our upcoming events will be posted on 3PB's events page. We look forward to welcoming friends, both old and...

Former Birmingham City Council Principal Solicitor Matiss Krumins has joined 3PB's growing family team based in Birmingham on Colmore Circus. Matiss was called to the Bar in 2008 and qualified as a solicitor in 2011. As a specialist in public law children proceedings and judicial review he will be bringing to Chambers a detailed understanding of care proceedings and the regulatory framework of child protection/children in care. Matiss said: “Having made the decision to join the independent...

Many congratulations to Louis Weston for winning the 2017 International Advisory Experts Award: Sports Law Lawyer of the Year in England. This Award is yet another acknowledgement of Louis’ first class Sports Law expertise. Louis is also recognised as a Band 1 Counsel for Sports by Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 Legal Directories. International Advisory Experts is a global alliance of well-established and experienced legal, financial and consulting firms that are committed to providing...

If a solicitor correctly interprets a term within a contract, but fails to advise the client as to the risk of a counter-interpretation, has there been a breach of duty?  And can there be a claim for damages? Matthew Cannings (Call 2006) analyses the most recent contribution of the Court of Appeal to the question of solicitors' duties, in Balogun v Boyes Sutton & Perry (a firm) [2017] EWCA Civ 75. Matthew is a Property...