Important principles for quantification of accidents under foreign law (DHV v Motor Insurer’s Bureau)
PI & Clinical Negligence analysis: This claim concerns the computation of damages in a claim relating to a foreign accident, specifically in Spanish law. Spanish law operates a somewhat harsh system of compensation which imposes a system of fixed tariff damages for injuries of a particular extent or kind. The court was faced with an interesting, but unsuccessful, argument that a recital of the Rome II Regulation undermined those strict regulations. This case is of interest to those practicing in areas relating to foreign law accidents, and includes issues relating to jurisdiction, contributory negligence, quantification of damages in foreign law, and punitive interest. Written by Robert Parkin, a barrister at Deka Chambers.