It seems that February 4-5, 2025 is inked in as the next key milestone. That’s when a High Court judge will decide in open court what is called a group litigation order which if I understand correctly is basically the rules of engagement for the bigger, decisive court hearing. How the matter will be dealt with and who precisely is being accused of negligence.
Before that there will be meetings between lawyers acting for the claimants and lawyers acting for the Unions and World Rugby – who could find themselves in the firing line – to choose a representative cross section of the 392 claimants that will be used as the prima facie cases going forward. i.e. between 30 and 40 individuals whose cases will be considered – not the mind boggling 392 – although any definitive ruling for or against will be applied to all 392 claimants. This is for example how the Volkswagen dieselgate class claim was handled.
This, on the surface, would seem refreshingly sensible and is not dissimilar to a proposed way forward I suggested in this column recently.
It does however also have the potential to be an extremely fractious process and the case management conferences now taking place could be interesting to say the least. Indeed I would suggest this is the game right here and now. Just as the fight to determine the composition of a jury is vital in many criminal prosecutions, the identity of those appearing in the Group litigation could be crucially important.
Esta historia es de la edición October 20, 2024 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición October 20, 2024 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Sleightholme shows he has pace to burn
OLLIE Sleightholme recently clocked his fastest sprint time and is racing to cement his spot as an England starter.
McGoverne says playing for Chiefs is her priority
EXETER fly-half Olivia McGoverne has opted for club over country which will rule her out of contention for New Zealand’s World Cup bid in 2025.
Trinity aim to get the culture right
HIGH-FLYING Trinity have made a remarkable turnaround this season after narrowly avoiding relegation last term, heading into this weekend unbeaten and are now eyeing up promotion from Level 7.
YOUNG GUNS
Louie Gulley experienced the environment of England U20s’ World Championship triumph up close this summerand now has a burning desire to become an age-grade star. The 19-year-old Exeter Chiefs hooker was part of Mark Mapletoft’s squad but didn’t manage to make an appearance during the tournament.
The Cherry & Whites lay down marker over Lucs
CAMBORNE maintained their lead at the top of the table with a bonus-point win against their nearest challengers in a pulsating game.
A brace from Botterill is key to victory for Esher
A highly entertaining and enthralling contest between two sides fighting at the foot of the table was eventually won by Esher after the lead had changed no less than seven times throughout an absorbing afternoon.
Chiefs in hunt for new investment
TONY Rowe has confirmed the search for new investors into Exeter Chiefs has begun as he looks to safeguard the longterm future of the Premiership club.
McParland keen to shine for England A
NORTHAMPTON scrum-half Archie McParland feels he has returned a better player following a nasty injury that denied him a World Cup winners medal and is now ready to fly into a new opportunity with England A.
Undercard get chance to show their A-game
ENGLAND’S A team today get their first major work-out after being resurrected earlier this year when Australia’s undercard provide the opposition at The Stoop.
England look like a clueless rabble
I WATCHED with a growing sense of bewilderment as England yet again took to the field against Australia looking to all intents and purpose as if they had just been introduced to each other on the coach into Twickenham.
