News & Events: Paul Mertens
Special advocates in Family Proceedings
Paul Mertens joins Mark Ablett to talk about special advocates in family proceedings, closed material procedures and how the courts attempt a fair outcome where parties are not able to view sensitive material, such as in care proceedings with a radicalisation element. To download please click here.
The Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review
On the 8 July 2020, the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review (the “Review”) chaired by Baroness Julia Cumberlege CBE DL, published its important report into the use and effect of certain medical interventions. A copy of the report can be found here. The Review, commissioned in February 2018 by the then Secretary of […]
Success in costs appeal
Paul Mertens has recently represented the successful appellant in an appeal against costs orders that were expected to total more than £54,000. Paul successfully argued that the Judge at first instance had been wrong to order that costs should be assessed on an indemnity basis, in circumstances in which the appellant had not accepted two […]
Property Seminar – Winchester
Venue The Hotel du Vin, Southgate Street, Winchester, SO23 9EF Schedule 13.00 – 13.30 – Registration 13.30 – 14.00 – Is Brexit a frustrating event? – A view from the Chancery Division 14.00 – 14.30 – Nuisance and infringement of privacy: A Tate Modern perspective 14.30 – 15.00 – The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) […]
Children Law Seminar – Portsmouth
Pump Court Chambers are pleased to announce their annual Children Law Seminars providing a valuable and in-depth update for all practitioners at intensive afternoon sessions. The seminar will be reviewing the notable recent decisions and providing practical advice to give an overview of essential issues, which will update delegates on law, practice and procedure. Venue […]
Paul Mertens appointed to Attorney General’s Panel of Special Advocates
Pump Court Chambers is delighted to announce that Paul Mertens has been appointed as a Special Advocate by the Attorney General. Special Advocates appear in a wide variety of forums where a party, with the permission of the forum, seeks to rely on ‘closed’ evidence (often relating to issues of national security). Paul was called to the […]
“Fundamental Dishonesty” in the Court of Appeal
Paul Mertens reviews the recent decision of Howlett v Davies [2017] EWCA Civ 1696, the first case in which the Court of Appeal has considered the approach to “fundamental dishonesty” as an exception to Qualified One-Way Costs Shifting (QOCS) under CPR 44.16(1). Background Howlett v Davies was a fairly commonplace PI claim arising from a […]
Claims exiting the RTA Protocol
What costs are recoverable? Plus, the latest decision on costs budgeting and relief from sanctions Paul Mertens reviews two important decisions from the Court of Appeal on fixed recoverable costs, along with the Court’s most recent decision on costs budgeting and relief from sanctions. Fixed Recoverable Costs In the last week, The Court of Appeal […]
Updated guidance on the efficient conduct of Financial Remedy hearings in the High Court
On the 24th January 2016, Mr Justice Mostyn issued updated guidance on the conduct of financial remedy proceedings in the High Court (see here). It lays down important new rules concerning skeleton arguments and reiterates and reinforces other key messages about court bundles and the requirement to agree a Statement of Issues, Schedule of Assets, […]
Self-represented parents and the cross-examination of a child
The abolition of legal aid for family cases and the concomitant increase in the number of self-representing parents appearing before the new single Family Court, continues to raise troubling (and perhaps unforeseen) legal situations that risk damaging our justice system and the rights of those who come before the courts. The recent case of Re […]
Paul Mertens appointed to BSB CPD Expert Panel
Pump Court Chambers is pleased to annouce that Paul Mertens has been appointed to the Bar Standards Board’s CPD Expert Panel, which will consider and advise on the profession’s future CPD requirements. Working alongside the BSB executive with Michael Edenborough QC (Serle Court) and Matthew Nicklin QC (5RB), Paul is delighted to be be able […]