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1975 – 2022: An interview with Queer Strike
Sameena Munir
Each party was ordered to bear their own costs following a failure either to mediate or settle a small building dispute which ended up reaching the Court of Appeal.
The Court of Appeal has recently given judgment in the case of Rolf v De Gijerin which involved a building dispute between a home owner, Mrs Rolf, and her builder, Mr De Gijerin, over the construction of a garage and a loft conversion. The contract price was £34,000 for the garage and £18,000 for the loft. The garage had been almost completed and the loft hardly started when there was a breakdown between the parties which the builder claimed was due to the conduct of Mrs Rolf’s husband. Mrs Rolf had paid £28,750 in cash and subsequently paid other builders £20,000 to complete the project.
Mrs Rolf’s claim against Mr De Gijerin was for between £44,500 and £92,500 but by the time of the trial was for £70,000. The issues were based on breach of contract and repudiation.
Mrs Rolf made proposals for settlement at £21,000 and mediation. No response was received until less than a week before trial when Mr De Gijerin offered £14,000 payable over 3 years and agreed to a mediation or settlement meeting. He stated that this was his best offer and gave details of his financial difficulties.
The trial went ahead and Mrs Rolf was awarded just £2,500. The court also decided that Mr De Gijerin should pay Mrs Rolf’s costs from 3 weeks after she made her first offer to settle at £21,000.
On appeal, the Court of Appeal decided that each party should bear their own costs.
Rix LJ described it as “a sad case about lost opportunities for mediation” and went on to say that in some disputes, such as this one over a small building dispute, litigation can be “wasteful and destructive” and that a trial should be regarded as a solution of last resort.
The Court of Appeal has again emphasised that there may be potential adverse costs consequences if parties refuse to mediate.
Rolf v De Gijerin [2011] EWCA Civ 78 – Court of Appeal – 16th February 2011
For more information, please contact Gary Finniss.
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Sameena Munir
Georgia Roberts
Eurydice Cote
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