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United Kingdom

Abuse of process: High Court of England and Wales strikes out estate claim; NSW consent order creates cause of action estoppel; separate service on joint executors required (Battenberg v Phillips)

Published on: 23 April 2024

Published by a LexisNexis Private Client expert
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Article summary

Battenberg v Phillips and another [2024] EWHC 3444 (KB)

What are the practical implications of this case?

Wealthy individuals frequently have a global footprint, with assets and connections across multiple countries. As a result, trust and probate disputes often cut across borders. When a party is unhappy with the outcome in one forum and seeks, in effect, to run the same issues again in England and Wales, what then? In addressing this, the High Court clarified the scope of ‘abuse of process’ and affirmed that it will regard any properly constituted court as a competent forum.

The judgment also touches on procedural fine points, including how pleadings must be served where there are several executors: although executors are jointly and severally liable as personal representatives, each one still needs to be served individually with the relevant documents. In addition, the Court confirmed that a consent order which dismisses proceedings has the same effect as any dismissal entered following a determination by a judge with jurisdiction.

What was the factual background?

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