Group claims and the ‘acid test’ of convenience (Adams v Ministry of Defence)

Table of contents

• What are the practical implications of this case?
• What was the background?
• What did the court decide?
• Case details

Article summary

Dispute Resolution analysis: In Morris and others v Williams & Co Solicitors (A Firm), the Court of Appeal confirmed that multiple claims can be brought in a single claim form as long as it is ‘convenient’. In the recent first-instance decision in Adams v Ministry of Defence, the court confirmed that convenience remains the ‘acid test’. Difficulties with the administration of group claims under the court’s CE-File system will not determine the propriety of using a single group claim form. The court also acknowledged that requiring the re-issue of individual claim forms in an attempt to address any administrative difficulties would ‘frustrate the legitimate expectations’ of claimants, ‘inflict further upheaval’ and, in any event, impose its own administrative burden on the court. Written by Harriet Campbell, senior knowledge lawyer at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP.