Court of Appeal confirms power to order compliance with pre-action protocols if an extant Part 8 claim exists (MH Site Maintenance Services Ltd and another company v Watson)
PI & Clinical Negligence analysis: The case concerned the extremely important jurisdictional point as to whether the court has any case management powers to require a claimant to progress a claim within the Pre-Action Protocol for Low Value Claims in Road Traffic Accidents once the claim has been issued and stayed via CPR Part 8 for limitation purposes. In reversing the determination by the District Judge at first instance and Circuit Judge on first appeal that no such jurisdiction existed, the Court of Appeal (Lord Justice Coulson, Lord Justice Andrews and Lord Justice Holgate) unanimously decided that it does have the requisite powers. The decision sends a clear message that the parties should co-operate to ensure further compliance with the Protocol and also that the culture of lengthy periods of inactivity will no longer be tolerated; nor will the extending of a stay ever be treated as a rubber-stamping exercise going forward. It provides a mechanism by which a defendant can seek the assistance of the court to progress a stagnant claim. Written by Simon O'Dwyer, barrister at Crown Office Chambers.