Arguments and Tactics for Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence Claims

Chapter One – The Basics of Advocacy
-Case Theory
-Preparation and Presentation
-Key Points

Chapter Two – Proving the Claim
-Clinical Negligence
--Breach of Duty
--Pre-Treatment Cases
--Pure Diagnostic Cases
--Causation 
--Material Contribution
--Material Increase in Risk of Injury
--Burden of Proof
--Consent
-Road Traffic Accidents
--Liability
--Alleging Fraud
--Pedestrians and Contributory Negligence
-The RTA Protocol
-Employers’ Liability Claims
--Pleading the Claim
--Statutory Duties
-Public Liability Claims
--Occupiers’ Liability
--Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957
--Occupiers’ Liability Act 1984
--Highways Act 
-The EL/PL Protocol
-Quantum
-Key Points 

Chapter 3 – Evidence
-Witness Statements
-Experts
-Hearsay Evidence
-Conference With Counsel
-Key Points

Chapter 4 – Case and Costs Management
-The Directions Questionnaire
-The Case Management and Costs Conference
-Case Management
-Conducting the Hearing
-Costs Management
-Layout of a Costs Budget 
-Key Points
 
Chapter 5 – Alternative Dispute Resolution 
-What is ADR 
-Round Table Meeting 
-Joint Settlement Meeting 
-Mediation 
-Arbitration 
-Key Points 

Chapter 6 – Tactics 
-Part 36 Offers
--Withdrawing or Changing Terms of Part 36 
--Issues Based Part 36 offers 
-Calderbank Offers
-Key Points
-Requests for Further Information, Admissions and Notices to Admit 
--Requests for Further Information
--Admissions 
--Notices to Admit 
-Key Points
-Summary Judgment/Dismissal
-Key Points
-Interim Payments
-Key Points
-Exit From the Portal
-Key Points
-Know Your Limitation(s)
--Limitation Periods
--Date of Knowledge
--Section 33 Discretion to Disapply Limitation 
--Case Law
--Accidents at Sea
--Accidents in the Air
--Problems to Look Out For
--Procedural Points
-Key Points

Chapter 7 - Interlocutory Applications
-Specific Disclosure 
-Service of Claim Form 
-Service of Particulars of Claim 
-Variation of Case Management Timetable 
-Relief From Sanctions 
-Setting Aside Judgment 
-Application for an Interim Payment 
-Application for Summary Judgment 
-Key Points 

Chapter 8 - The Trial 
-What Does the Judge Need to Know 
-Common Approaches in All Cases 
--Skeleton Argument 
--Opening the Case 
--Examination-in-Chief 
-Cross-Examination 
-Example of Cross-Examination of a Defendant’s Witness 
-Key Points 

Chapter 9 – The Appeal
-Avenues of Appeal 
-Appeals from Case Management Decisions 
-Procedure for All Appeals 
-The Test 
-The Grounds 
-Key Points

Chapter 10 - Case Law Tool Kit
-Clinical Negligence
-Personal Injury
-Relief from Sanctions
-Statute Law Tool Kit 

Appendix I
-Where Sanctions Apply 
-Knowing your CPR 

Appendix II
-Hearsay Notice 
-Mediation Agreement 
-Model Directions in Clinical Negligence 
-Model Directions in Personal Injury