How to correctly conclude a claim by way of a consent order
In the matter Spice and Anor –v- Tuli and Anor [2012] which was heard in the Court of Appeal, the Defendant appealed the decision that the Claimant was allowed to bring a claim by way of a consent order based on the same set of facts as a claim which they agreed to dismiss.
The case discusses the use of the words “withdrawn”, “dismissed” and “discontinued” when concluding cases by way of consent. The word “withdrawn” is not appropriate as there is no provision in the CPR for a claim to be withdrawn, only discontinued or dismissed.
Facts
Spicer and Anor originally bought proceedings for possession. The day before the final hearing the Defendant provided disclosure. As the Claimant needed more time to investigate this disclosure they agreed a Consent Order dismissing the proceedings. In agreeing the consent order the Claimant’s Solicitor made it clear they would be investigating the disclosure and its validity.
Two months after the Order was filed the Claimant filed new proceedings, including the original claim for possession. The Defendant sought to strike out the claim on the basis that the claim for possession was barred as a result of cause of action estoppel. In addition, they argued that the fresh action was an abuse of process.
The application was unsuccessful and the Claimant was allowed to bring the second claim. The Defendant appealed the decision.
Decision
At the appeal it was concluded that there was no abuse of process. First, it was in the public interest that the disclosure was investigated for validity and secondly that the Claimant’s Solicitors had made it clear they would not stop the investigation just because the claim had been dismissed by way of consent.
The Court of Appeal considered the principle of cause of action estoppel. Whilst the principle of estoppel relies on the principle that there is finality of litigation it was created as “judge-made law”. As Judges often avoid setting absolute limits to any rule the Court of Appeal could understand why, in previous cases, the principle had been applied with a degree of flexibility rather than using a rigid application.
The case of Ako v Rothschild Asset Management Limited [2002] was considered. This is an Employment Tribunal case in which Dyson LJ concluded that a withdrawal or judgment by consent invariably results in a cause of action or issue estoppel. It was concluded that if it is clear that a party withdrawing their claim is not intending to abandon it or any issue within it then they cannot be barred from raising the point in subsequent proceedings unless it would be an abuse of process.
Although the Ako case was an Employment Tribunal case, and therefore subject to different rules than the Courts, Lewison LJ applied the case outside of Tribunal proceedings.
The appeal was dismissed and the Claimant was allowed to bring their second claim.
Comments
As a Claimant, care needs to be taken when signing consent orders. If there is an intention to bring the claim again in the future then proceedings need to be discontinued and not dismissed. In addition, it should be made clear to the Defendant’s Solicitors that there is an intention to bring future proceedings based on the same claim.
As a Defendant, before signing consent orders the Claimant’s intentions need to be clear. Defendant’s need to be aware of the implications in relation to the possibility of future proceedings against them.
IMPORTANT: This blog is only intended as a general statement of the law and no action should be taken in reliance on it without specific legal advice.
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