Departure from the GMC Sanctions Guidance

General Medical Council v Bramhall [2021] EWHC (2109) (Admin) In a series of acts referred to by HHJ Farrer QC as “conduct borne of professional arrogance of such magnitude that it strayed into criminal behaviour”, Mr Bramhall used an argon beam cauterising tool to sign his initials on the livers…

Withdrawal of Benefits, Article 2 and Inquests

Dove v HM Assistant Coroner for Teesside and Hartlepool [2021] EWHC 2511 (Admin) Facts Ms Whiting had spinal conditions since her early twenties, which gave her back pain, required surgery, and regular painkillers. She also had a history of mental health problems (depression, drug dependence, and emotionally unstable personality disorder)…

Application for Fresh Inquest Refused

Farrell v HMC for North East Hampshire [2021] EWHC 778 (Admin) Applying for a fresh inquest is not straightforward. First, the bereaved have to get permission from the Attorney General. Only once that authority has been granted will they be allowed to apply to the High Court to reopen the…

When does the Article 2 Investigative Duty Arise?

R (Morahan) v West London Assistant Coroner [2021] EWHC 1603 (Admin) Facts Tanya Morahan (“Tanya”) had a history of paranoid schizophrenia and harmful cocaine use. From mid-May 2018 she was an inpatient at a rehabilitation unit operated by the Trust. She was initially detained under s.3 of the Mental Health Act…

Third Party Costs Orders and Experts

Robinson v Mercier, Liverpool County Court [2021] 9 WLUK 400 The Court made a Third Party Costs Order (“TCPO”), in the sum of £50,543.85, pursuant to Part 46.2 and Part 46.8 CPR 1998 and Section 51 of the Senior Courts Act 1981, against Dr Mercier, General Dental Practitioner.  Dr Mercier…

QOCS and Set-Off

Ho v Adelekun [2021] UKSC 43 In a case to which qualified one-way costs shifting (‘QOCS’) applies, can a defendant set-off a costs order in its favour against the claimant’s costs where there is no damages award that the defendant can set-off its costs against? That was the issue which…