‘Expert Privilege’ in Civil Evidence 9781472565303, 9781841133034

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Preface This book hopes to demonstrate that ‘Expert privilege’ should be considered for practical purposes as a subcategory of its own. This is not because it is defined by a uniform subset of rules that apply to all situations in which expert material is at issue, but precisely because it is not. Conclusions about the protection of privilege in expert evidence cannot be made based on any other area of application. Instead, in large part because of the role of Part 35 of the Civil Procedure Rules, ‘expert privilege’ is a highly idiosyncratic and problematic area. A book dealing with ‘expert privilege’ as a subject area of its own is therefore highly overdue. This is the first such book to do so. The idea for the book came from a webinar presentation made to clients, solicitors, external counsel and expert organisations on 17 September 2008, entitled ‘Privilege and Experts: Common Problems and the Case-Law’. The intention of the talk was to deliver a guide to the most common privilege issues that arise in the preparation of experts’ reports. The subject headings were organised roughly according to the basic chronology of the steps involved in this process and the lifecycle of such evidence, from instruction to use in collateral proceedings. Each of the basic issues identified was followed by a summary of the leading cases and then a tentative summary of the position of the law. Above all, the presentation was intended to provide practical guidance, while not avoiding the nitty-gritty of the case law and procedure. It proved unexpectedly popular, with a large number of participants logging on to listen to the speakers and watch the accompanying slides. However, the webinar format has its limitations. With only 45 minutes available, it was necessary to skip lightly through the key points. However, with the facility for email questions to be sent in during the webinar, it was clear that there was much still to be explored and we were touching on issues of great interest to many. This book is therefore aimed at this same audience but is intended to expand on the issues that were discussed in the webinar in more detail. The book is intended to provide a digest of the issues, cases and rules that assist in what is a complex area. However, the touchstone of practicality is kept very much in mind throughout and so the order in which issues are discussed is kept largely in line with the process by which expert evidence is prepared. New issues are also included, such as the privilege issues raised by experiments and survey evidence and reliance on undisclosed documents. The fascinating question of whether privilege is an absolute right or a matter of policy is also explored. Again, with accessibility and application in mind, every effort has also been made to keep the book short and concise.

Table of Cases Abbey National Mortgages Plc v Key Surveyors Nationwide Ltd [1996] EGCS 23........................................................................................................25, 179 Aird and Aird v Prime Meridian Ltd [2006] EWCA Civ 1866........................... 82–5 Akzo Nobel Chemicals Ltd and Akcros Chemicals Ltd v Commission, joined cases T-125/03 & T-253/03.........................................................................4 Alterskye v Scott [1948] 1 All ER 469....................................................................142 Anderson v Bank of British Columbia (1876) 2 Ch D 644...............................63, 65 Ankin v London & North Eastern Railway Co [1930] 1 KB 527............................11 B v Auckland District Law Society [2003] 2 AC 736 (Privy Council, New Zealand)........................................................................................................13 Baker v Campbell (1983) 153 CLR 32.....................................................................62 Balabel v Air India [1988] 2 All ER 246................................................................ 4–5 Barings Plc, Re [1998] 1 All ER 673.........................................................................11 Barings v Coopers & Lybrands [2002] 1 WLR 2353.............................................149 Barnetson v Framlington Group Ltd [2007] 1 WLR 2443......................................16 Beck v Ministry of Defence [2005] 1 WLR 2206..............................................93, 95, 98–103, 106, 169 Bennett v Compass Group UK & Ireland Ltd [2002] EWCA Civ 642...................38 Bonzel (T) v Intervention Ltd (No2) [1991] RPC 231.........................................155 Bourns Inc v Raychem Corporation [1999] 1 All ER 908, [1999] 3 All ER 154, [1999] FSR 641.......................................................52, 135–8 Bradford & Bingley Plc v Rashid [2006] 1 WLR 2066..................................... 15–16 British Coal Corporation v Dennis Rye Ltd (No2) [1988] 1 WLR 1113................13 British Sky Broadcasting Group Plc v Virgin Media Communications Ltd [2008] EWCA Civ 612....................................................131 Bucknell v British Transport Commission [1956] 1 QB 187............ 53–4, 56, 58, 60 Buttes Gas & Oil Company v Hammer (No 3) [1981] 1 QB 223..........14, 46–8, 50, 52–3, 60, 63 Cala Homes (South) Ltd v Alfred McAlpine Homes East Ltd [1995] FSR 818 (Ch).............................................................................................22 Calley v Richards (1854) 19 Beav 40..........................................................................7 Carlson v Townsend [2001] EWCA Civ 511..................................... 20, 30, 88, 93–5, 103, 105, 168, 199 Carruthers MP v Fireworks (Bristol CC 26 January 2007)................................93–5, 103–6, 122, 169 Causton v Mann Egerton [1974] 1 WLR 162..........................................................89 Chadwick v Bowman (1886) 16 QBD 561.......................................................... 63–4

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Chan U Seek v Alvis Vehicles Ltd, Guardian Newspapers [2004] EWHC 3092 (Ch)...................................................................................148 Clibbery v Allen [2002] Fam 261...........................................................................148 Clough v Thameside and Gloucester Health Authority [1998] 2 All ER 971...............................................................................................52 Cobra Golf Inc v Rata [1996] FSR 819......................................................156, 158–9 Comfort Hotels Ltd v Wembley Stadium Ltd [1988] 1 WLR 872........................136 Crest Homes Plc v Marks [1987] AC 829......................................................134, 155 Cutts v Head [1984] 1 All ER 597, [1984] Ch 290...................................................80 D Jacobson & Sons v Globe Ltd [2008] EWHC 88 (Ch)............................... 114–15 D v National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children [1978] AC 171.....................................................................................................162 Dadourian Group International Inc v Paul Francis Simms [2008] EWHC 1784 (Ch).......................................................................................6 Daniels v Walker [2000] 1 WLR 1382....................................................................208 Dendron GmbH v The Regents of the University of California [2004] FSR 43................................................................................................. 140–3 Derby v Weldon [1991] 1 WLR 660.........................................................57, 136, 149 Dian AO v Davis Frankel & Mead [2005] 1 WLR 2951................................145, 147 Digicel (St Lucia) Ltd v Cable & Wireless Plc [2009] EWHC 1437 (Ch)...............52 Distillers Co (Biochemicals) Ltd v Times Newspapers Ltd [1975] QB 613.........135 Dolling-Baker v Merrett [1990] 1 WLR 1205..........................................................67 Dore v Leicestershire County Council [2010] EWHC 34 (Ch)..............................14 Dubai Bank Ltd v Galadari (No 3) [1990] 1 WLR 731.......................44–5, 59, 64–6 Dunlop Slazenger International Ltd v Joe Bloggs Sports Ltd [2003] EWCA Civ 901..........................................................................................56 Electrolux Northern Ltd v Black & Decker [1996] FSR 595..................108–10, 112, 115–17, 120, 122 English and American Insurance Co Ltd v Axa Re SA [2007] 1 CLC 1.................16 Esso Australia Resources Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation 2 ITL Rep 429........................................................................................................62 Expandable Ltd v Rubin [2008] EWCA Civ 59................... 36–7, 42–3, 45–7, 55, 60 Formica Ltd v ECGD [1995] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 692......................................................15 Fulham Leisure Holdings Ltd v Nicholson, Graham & Jones [2006] PNLR 23............................................................................................... 57–9 General Accident Fire & Life Assurance Corp Ltd v Tanter [1984] 1 WLR 100.................................................................................................58 General Mediterranean Holdings SA v Patel [1999] 3 AER 673.............................93 General Mediterranean Holidays SA v Patel [2000] 1 WLR 272............................49 George Doland Ltd v Blackburn, Robson Coates & Co [1972] 1 WLR 1338.........................................................................................56, 58 Gio Personal Investment Services Ltd v Liverpool and London Steamship Protection and Indemnity Association Ltd [1999] 1 WLR 984........................151 Gotha City v Sotheby’s [1998] 1 WLR 114..............................................................14



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Government Trading Corporation v Tate & Lyle (1984) 81 LSG 3341..................51 Grant v Downs (1976) 135 CLR 674....................................................10–11, 62, 163 Great Atlantic Insurance Co v Home Insurance Co [1981] 2 All ER 485........55, 58 Guinness Peat Properties Ltd v Fitzroy Robinson Partnership [1987] 1 WLR 1027...............................................................................................11 Gurney Consulting Engineers (a Firm) v Gleeds Health & Safety Ltd and Gleeds Management Services Ltd [2006] EWHC 43 (TCC)................ 124–8 Halcon International Inc v Shell Transport and Trading Co [1979] RPC 97.....................................................................................................156 Harmony Shipping Co v Saudi Europe Line Ltd [1979] 1 WLR 1380.............. 75–7 Hickman v Taylor (1947) 329 US 495....................................................................163 Highgrade Traders, Re [1984] BCLC 151................................................................12 Hodgson v Imperial Tobacco Ltd [1998] 1 WLR 1056.........................................148 Home Office v Harman [1983] 1 AC 280............................................. 135, 142, 148, 150–1, 153, 157 Honeywell Ltd v Appliance Components Ltd and Mayne Pty Lt Unreported, Patents Court, February 1996...............................109–12, 114–22 Hubbard v Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham HA [2001] EWCA 1455...........209 Ikarian Reefer, The see National Justice Compania Naviera SA v Prudential Assurance Co Ltd (The Ikarian Reefer) (No 1) [1993] 2 Lloyds Rep..............................................................................................68 Imerman v Tchenguiz [2009] EWHC 2902 (QB)...................................................66 Imperial Tobacco v Philip Morris [1984] RPC 293............... 112, 114, 116, 119, 122 Infields Ltd v P Rosen & Son [1938] 3 All ER 591..................................................51 Jackson v Marley Davenport Ltd [2004] 1 WLR 2926.................. 90, 92–4, 103, 199 L (A Minor), Re (Police Investigation: Privilege) [1997] AC 16...................................................................................8–9, 163, 165–6 Land Corporation of Canada v Puleston [1884] WN 1..........................................64 Lane v Willis [1972] 1 WLR 326 (CA)................................................................ 97–9 Law Debenture Trust Corp (Channel Islands) Ltd v Lexington Insurance Company [2003] EWHC 2297 (Comm)..........................................148 Lilly Icos Ltd v Pfizer [2002] 1 All ER 842.....................................................149, 153 L’Oreal SA v Bellure NV [2006] EWHC 1503 (Ch)..............................132, 137, 159 Lucas v Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust [2004] 1 WLR 220.....................................................................................36–42, 47 Lyell v Kennedy (No 3) (1884) 27 Ch D......................................................58, 62, 66 Marlwood Commercial Inc v Kosemy [2004] 3 All ER 648..........................145, 158 Marubeni Corporation v Lal Fouzof (CA, 16 November 1986)........................ 50–2 Mayne Pharma Plc v Debiopharm SA and Sanofi-Synthelabo [2006] FSR 37......................................................................111–12, 115–16, 120–1 Morris v Bank of India (Ch D 15 November 2001)..................................34–6, 40–1 MP v Mid-Kent Healthcare NHS Trust [2002] 1 WLR 210..........................69, 72–3 Murray Pipework Ltd v UIE Scotland Ltd (1990) 6 Const LJ 56............................82 Naf Naf SA v Dickens (London) Ltd [1993] FSR 424...........................................157

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National Employers’ Mutual General Insurance Association Ltd v Waind (1979) 141 CLR 648..................................................................................62 National Justice Compania Naviera SA v Prudential Assurance Co Ltd (The Ikarian Reefer) (No 1) [1993] 2 Lloyds Rep 68............................22, 52, 179 Nea Karteria Maritime Co Ltd v Atlantic and Great Lakes Steamship Corporation (22 June 1981, CLR).....................53–8, 60, 111–12, 121 New Victoria Hospital v Ryan [1993] ICR 201..........................................................6 Nyiry v Intercontinental Hotels (Unreported Torquay & Ntn Abbott CC, 22 February 2006)............................................................................................ 92–3 O2 Ltd and O2 (UK) Ltd v Hutchison 3G (UK) Limited (Admissibility) [2006] RPC 30.............................................................................................. 114–15 Oceanbulk Shipping & Trading SA v TMT Asia Ltd [2010] EWCA Civ 79...........15 Palermo, The (1884) LR 9 PD 6.......................................................................... 63–4 Pall Corp v Commercial Hydraulics (Bedford) Ltd [1990] FSR 329...................118 Paragon Finance v Freshfields [1990] 1 WLR 1183.................................................58 Pearce v Foster (1885) 15 QBD 114.................................................................... 61–2 Peet v Mid Kent Area Healthcare NHS Trust [2002] 1 WLR 210.........................207 Phillips v Symes [2004] EWHC 2330 (Ch)............................................................199 Popek v National Westminster Bank Plc [2002] EWCA Civ 42..............................73 Prudential Assurance Co Ltd v Fountain Page Ltd [1991] 1 WLR 756................133 Queen on the Application of Mr Taranissi v Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority [2009] EWHC 130 (Admin)........................................147 R (Morgan Grenfell & Co Ltd) v Special Commissioner of Income Tax [2003] 1 AC 563..................................................................................................163 R v Derby Magistrates’ Court, ex p B [1996] 1 AC 487...................................49, 163 R v Secretary of State for the Home Department, ex p Simms [2000] 2 AC 115....................................................................................................49 R v Secretary of State for Transport, ex p Factortame Ltd (Discovery) [1997] 9 Admin.....................................................................................................58 Richard Roberts Holdings Ltd v Douglas Smith Stimson Partnership (1990) 6 Const LJ 70.............................................................................................82 Riddick v Thames Board Mills Ltd [1977] QB 881.......................................134, 142 Rigg v Associated Newspapers [2003] All ER (D) 97........................................55, 60 Robert Hitchins Ltd v International Computers Ltd [1997] CLY 467...................64 Roberts v Oppenheim (1884) LR 26 Ch D 724.......................................................52 Robin Ellis Ltd v Malwright Ltd [1999] EWHC Technology 256.................... 79–81 Rush & Tompkins Ltd v Greater London Council [1989] AC 1280.....15–16, 80, 84 Sage v Feiven [2002] CLY 430............................................................................77, 87 Salt & Consignia Plc [2002] CLY 420.......................................................................39 Savings & Investment Bank Ltd (in liquidation) v Fincken [2004] 1 WLR 667.................................................................................................16 Sayers v SmithKline Beecham Plc [2007] EWHC 1346 (QB)...........143–8, 151, 158 Science Research Council v Nassé [1980] AC 1028.................................................67 Scott Paper Co v Drayton Paper Works Ltd [1927] 44 RPC 151............................80



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Scott v Scott [1913] AC 417............................................................................148, 153 Shepherd Neame v EDF Energy Networks (SPN) Plc [2008] EWHC 123 (TCC). -