There are three upcoming hearings in the Court of Appeal which will be of interest of those who follow this blog. Here is a reminder of what each case is about and the dates on which they are due to be heard, according to the Civil Appeals Case Tracker.
We will blog about each decision once handed down.
Sivaji v Ministry of Defence
CA hearing date: 15 or 16 June 2021
A fatal mesothelioma claim brought on behalf of the deceased and his dependants. The Deceased’s alleged exposure to asbestos took place in the Sembawang naval dockyard in Singapore between 1953 and 1968. The case gave rise to various issues including whether the applicable law was the law of England or the law of Singapore and whether the action was time-barred.
The issue before HHJ Allan Gore QC (sitting as a High Court Judge) at first instance was whether the Claimant should have permission to amend the Claim Form and Particulars of Claim. On the MOD’s case, these amendments were outside the limitation period under Singaporean law and the effect of giving permission for the amendments would be to deny the MOD the benefit of that limitation defence, at least in respect of the dependency claim, due to the doctrine of relation back, The Judge granted permission for the amendments.
Rix v Paramount Shopfitting Company Limited
CA hearing date: 23 or 24 June 2021
Mr Justice Cavanagh’s decision concerned the scope of the Fatal Accidents Act 1976. The Deceased was a successful businessman whose business had continued to thrive after his death from mesothelioma. The Judge held that notwithstanding the ongoing success of the business, his widow had a substantial financial dependency claim.
John-Paul Swoboda and Cressida Mawdesley-Thomas previously blogged about the first instance decision here and Rachit Buch spoke about the case at 12KBW’s Asbestos Webinar Day 2020 which you can watch here. The permission hearing before Lord Justice Bean can be viewed here.
Witham v Steve Hill Limited
CA hearing date: 6 or 7 July 2021
Another mesothelioma case concerning the scope of the Fatal Accidents Act. Anthony Metzer QC (sitting as a Deputy High Court Judge). As a result of the untimely death of the Deceased, his widow had been forced to give up work to look after her foster children. The Judge held that there was dependency claim, which he assessed on the basis of the cost of care to replace the services the Deceased would have provided but for his death.
Steven Snowden QC and John-Paul Swoboda (who acted for the Claimant at trial) blogged about the case here. Kate Boakes spoke about the case at 12KBW’s Asbestos Webinar Day 2020 which you can watch here.
ASBESTOS LAW 