*/
Practice – Striking out. The claimant Bangladeshi company had, until 2013, supplied garments to a number of major western retailers, including Primark. Following the collapse of a factory building in Bangladesh, in which one thousand people were killed, Primark and other retailers with manufacturing links to Bangladesh formed an accord (the accord) on fire and building safety in Bangladesh. Following concerns about the safety of the claimant's factory, Primark withdrew its outstanding contracts with the claimant. The claimant brought a claim for damages for alleged defamatory statements published by Primark and the accord. The first and third defendants applied for the claim to be struck out as an abuse of process. The Queen's Bench Division struck out the claim where there was no realistic prospect of a trial yielding any tangible or legitimate advantage such as to outweigh the disadvantages for the parties in terms of expense, and the wider public in terms of court resources.
Practice – Striking out. The claimant Bangladeshi company had, until 2013, supplied garments to a number of major western retailers, including Primark. Following the collapse of a factory building in Bangladesh, in which one thousand people were killed, Primark and other retailers with manufacturing links to Bangladesh formed an accord (the accord) on fire and building safety in Bangladesh. Following concerns about the safety of the claimant's factory, Primark withdrew its outstanding contracts with the claimant. The claimant brought a claim for damages for alleged defamatory statements published by Primark and the accord. The first and third defendants applied for the claim to be struck out as an abuse of process. The Queen's Bench Division struck out the claim where there was no realistic prospect of a trial yielding any tangible or legitimate advantage such as to outweigh the disadvantages for the parties in terms of expense, and the wider public in terms of court resources.
The Chair of the Bar reports back
Susie Griffin on the admin that keeps barristers from billable work
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how global events can influence the performance of pensions and ISAs, and why taking a long-term approach to investing is often the most effective strategy
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, discusses what family law professionals need to know about hallucinogens, from the main hallucinogenic drugs encountered in family proceedings, to their effects and the testing options available
Harmony Christian Ministries is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
By David Green
At the start of her term, Chair of the Bar 2026 Kirsty Brimelow KC set out a series of priorities for the year ahead. One of those priorities was children in the justice system
As the world becomes more digital, Barbara Vinagre Mota examines international research into the mental health consequences of judges’ exposure to graphic and immersive evidence, highlighting the importance of support systems
In an era of patient-centred care and growing concern over misconduct in medical settings, why do women still lack the right to choose women consultants for examination and treatment? Charles Davey investigates
Reviewed by Daniel Barnett
James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain until 27 September Rothko in Florence at Palazzo Strozzi until 23 August Reviewed by Stephen Cragg KC
