Index card Law Society v Sephton & Co

Hearings

England & Wales

06 Feb 2004 [2004] EWHC 544 (Ch); [2004] PNLR 27, Ch D (Michael Briggs QC sitting as a deputy judge of the High Court)

13 Dec 2004 [2004] EWCA Civ 1627; [2005] QB 1013; [2005] 3 WLR 212, CA

10 May 2006 [2006] UKHL 22; [2006] 2 AC 543; [2006] 2 WLR 1091; [2006] 3 All ER 401, HL(E)

Subject Matter

LIMITATION OF ACTION — Negligence — Accrual of cause of action — Accountants negligently preparing statutory annual reports on solicitor's practice for submission to Law Society — Solicitor subsequently misappropriating clients' moneys — Law Society failing to investigate or intervene in practice in reliance on reports — Law Society compensating clients from Solicitors Compensation Fund — Whether cause of action against accountants in negligence accruing at time of misappropriations or at time of resolution to compensate clients — Limitation Act 1980, s 2

[2004] EWCA Civ 1627; [2005] QB 1013; [2005] 3 WLR 212, CA

LIMITATION OF ACTION — Negligence — Accrual of cause of action — Accountants negligently preparing statutory annual reports on solicitor's practice for submission to Law Society — Solicitor subsequently misappropriating clients' moneys — Law Society failing to investigate or intervene in practice in reliance on reports — Law Society compensating clients from Solicitors Compensation Fund — Whether cause of action against accountants in negligence accruing at time of misappropriations or at time of claim being made against compensation fund — Limitation Act 1980, s 2

[2006] UKHL 22; [2006] 2 AC 543; [2006] 2 WLR 1091; [2006] 3 All ER 401, HL(E)

Appellate History

Law Society v Sephton & Co [2004] EWHC 544 (Ch); [2004] PNLR 27, Ch D

Decision of Michael Briggs QC sitting as a deputy judge of the Chancery Division reversed

Law Society v Sephton & Co [2004] EWCA Civ 1627; [2005] QB 1013; [2005] 3 WLR 212, CA

Decision of the Court of Appeal affirmed

Law Society v Sephton & Co [2006] UKHL 22; [2006] 2 AC 543; [2006] 2 WLR 1091; [2006] 3 All ER 401, HL(E)

Commentary

Blackstones Civil Practice 2023
Tort - General claims in tort 10.8