Derby County Court – Deputy District Judge Maybury 12 May 2016
Discontinuance following non - compliant medical evidence, means QOCS protection lost.
The Issues
Proceedings were served in December 2015 together with a screening audiogram, however no medical evidence was served with the Particulars of Claim at that time.
The Defendant applied to strike out the claim under CPR r.3.4(2)(c) in light of the failure to any serve medical evidence in support of his claim pursuant to paragraph 4.3 of the Practice Direction 16; the Defendant arguing that the audiogram alone did not constitute a medical report as it did not comply with CPR r.35.10 and the requirements set out in Practice Direction 35. The Defendant also maintained that the audiogram did not satisfy the criteria of Coles Lutman & Buffin in any event.
The Claimant’s solicitors purported to serve a notice of discontinuance and the hearing (for the Defendants application) was vacated. However, that was not the end of the matter as a hearing was still required to determine the issue of costs, the Defendant arguing that the case satisfied the grounds set out in CPR r.44.15 so the Claimant should automatically lose that protection.
Because the Claimant had served the proceedings without sufficient medical evidence the:
Caselaw Sign In
If you're new here, this will guide you through creating an account. If you're already a member, simply enter your existing credentials to log in.