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Our clerks’ room is open between:

8.30am – 6.30pm

Outside of these hours and in cases of urgency, please contact
Paul Bunting on 07971 843023 or
Darren Madle on 07769 714399.

Clerk contacts

Richard Sheehan

Deputy Senior Clerk

020 7420 9503
Oliver Ventura

First Junior Clerk

020 7420 9505
Aron Hanks

Second Junior Clerk

020 7420 9506
Archie Conners

Third Junior Clerk

020 7420 9507

Our clerks’ room is open between:

8.30am – 6.30pm

Outside of these hours and in cases of urgency, please contact
Paul Bunting on 07971 843023 or
Darren Madle on 07769 714399.

Clerk contacts

Richard Sheehan

Deputy Senior Clerk

020 7420 9503
Oliver Ventura

First Junior Clerk

020 7420 9505
Aron Hanks

Second Junior Clerk

020 7420 9506
Archie Conners

Third Junior Clerk

020 7420 9507

Crowther v Crowther and ors [2020] EWHC 3555

Mrs Justice Lieven DBE has handed down judgment in Crowther v Crowther and ors [2020] EWHC 3555 (Fam) in which the Judge granted the Respondent Husband’s application that the Applicant Wife pays his costs of and occasioned by the Preliminary Issues on an indemnity basis with a payment on account.

The Applicant Wife had made serious allegations of fraud, conspiracy and sham against the Respondents, which were due to be determined in a 7-day trial of the Preliminary Issues. One week before the trial was due to commence, she discontinued those claims. The Court emphasised the need for a consistent approach between the Divisions of the High Court.  Although it was not directly applicable under FPR 2010 r. 28.1, the presumption in CPR r. 38.6 (that a party who discontinues pays the other side’s costs) was highly relevant. The position was strongly reinforced by the fact that the allegations that had been withdrawn were of fraud and conspiracy, which have serious reputational consequences and parties should be reticent before pleading them.

Justin Kitson and Alice Hawker acted on behalf of the successful First Respondent.