The Calderbank effect

Gold, Elliot

The Calderbank effect - 2006 - New Law Journal 156(7234) 21 July 2006, 1156-1157(2) .

Looks at how the decision in "Codent Ltd v Lyson Ltd" ([2005] EWCA Civ 1835, unreported) provides further clarification as to when a Calderbank offer ought to attract the same costs protection as a payment into court. In the above case, CA held that L's offer of settlement had been expressed in clear terms, was genuine, and had been backed by insurance; the acceptance period had been very short, but that was not the reason C rejected the offer. In the circumstances, L should have been awarded costs from the first day of trial. It is now clear that offers of settlement made at any time prior to trial must be given serious consideration; such offers will not automatically enjoy the cost protection that attaches to a payment into court, but provided the court considers them to be a genuine attempt to settle, and they substantially meet the criteria outlined above, it is likely that they will do so.


CALDERBANK LETTERS
CODENT LTD V LYSON LTD
CIVIL PROCEDURE RULES PART 36


England and Wales--1543-