Published on: 20 November 2025
Published by a Law360 reporter
In a High Court ruling, BHP was held responsible for the 2015 failure of the Fundão Dam at Samarco, its 50% iron ore joint venture with Brazilian company Vale. The court concluded the risk of collapse was foreseeable, and that BHP’s liability stemmed from the extent of its involvement in Samarco, which owned and operated the dam. Justice O’Farrell found BHP ‘controlled and operated’ Samarco, acted as a ‘directing mind’, and secured substantial commercial benefits. She determined BHP had ‘assumed responsibility’ for risk assessment, mitigation and dam safety.
James Peel, a commercial litigation lawyer at Weightmans LLP, observed that the judgment shows English courts are increasingly ready to look beyond formal corporate structures and assess real-world influence and control. For UK-based multinationals, particularly those with major overseas operations or joint ventures, he said ‘the case should prompt a re-examination of corporate structure, risk oversight and litigation readiness’. Jehad Mustafa, a partner at Farrer & Co LLP, described the ruling as a ‘landmark in English legal history’...
When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...
This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...
Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...
I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...