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Negligence – Duty to take care. The claimant had suffered burns when his uncle, who had unknowingly been suffering with florid paranoid schizophrenia, had set fire to himself. He sought damages in negligence under his uncle's household insurance policy. The judge found that his uncle's actions had not been voluntary, therefore he had not owed a duty of care. The Court of Appeal, Civil Division, allowed the claimant's appeal. It held that the actions of a defendant, who was merely impaired by medical problems, whether physical or mental, could not escape liability if he caused injury by failing to exercise reasonable care unless his condition entirely eliminated his responsibility.
Negligence – Duty to take care. The claimant had suffered burns when his uncle, who had unknowingly been suffering with florid paranoid schizophrenia, had set fire to himself. He sought damages in negligence under his uncle's household insurance policy. The judge found that his uncle's actions had not been voluntary, therefore he had not owed a duty of care. The Court of Appeal, Civil Division, allowed the claimant's appeal. It held that the actions of a defendant, who was merely impaired by medical problems, whether physical or mental, could not escape liability if he caused injury by failing to exercise reasonable care unless his condition entirely eliminated his responsibility.
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AlphaBiolabs supports children’s Hospice with £500 donation
Rachel Davenport, Co-founder and Director at AlphaBiolabs, discusses the company’s commitment to giving back to communities across the UK
By Kem Kemal of Henry Dannell
By Nick Bonnello and Aaron Young of RWB Chartered Accountants
By Kem Kemal of Henry Dannell
Animal sexual abuse is a distressing and taboo subject. Yet, write Christina Warner and Maya Badham, this hidden crisis, where legal, ethical and psychological factors converge, requires frank discussion
A cultural life and times
Maria Scotland and Niamh Wilkie report from the Bar Council’s 2024 visit to the United Arab Emirates exploring practice development opportunities for the England and Wales family Bar
Marking Neurodiversity Week 2025, an anonymous barrister shares the revelations and emotions from a mid-career diagnosis with a view to encouraging others to find out more
David Wurtzel analyses the outcome of the 2024 silk competition and how it compares with previous years, revealing some striking trends and home truths for the profession
