Knauer v Ministry of Justice

[2014] EWHC 2553 (QB)

Possible Leapfrog Appeal to the Supreme Court

Abstract

Personal injury and clinical negligence practitioners will know that the courts at first instance are bound by the much criticised decision of the House of Lords’ in Cookson v Knowles [1979] AC 556, which holds that multipliers in Fatal Accident Act cases are assessed at date of death.

We understand that the High Court has given permission to the claimants in Knauer v Ministry of Justice [2014] EWHC 2553 (QB) to pursue a leapfrog appeal to the Supreme Court. Their Lordships have yet to indicate whether they will permit the appeal to proceed.

Cara Guthrie
Outer Temple Chambers