NEWS

• Goodman Derrick LLP recently acted in a case before the Court of Appeal concerning the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999. The Court of Appeal ruled that before the rights granted by the Act could be enforced, the third party in question must be expressly identified in the relevant contract by name, as a member of a class or as answering a particular description. The use of the word "express" did not allow a process of construction or implication. For further information, please contact Deborah Rider in our Litigation Department.
  
  
• Goodman Derrick LLP has been acting for Scandinavian telecom operator, TeliaSonera, in connection with a dispute concerning a long-term lease contract of a substantial Docklands site. A settlement has now been reached with some of the other parties which has resulted in the lease being rescinded and the related provision being reversed. The reversal of this provision is estimated to affect TeliaSonera's operating income positively by approximately SEK 500 million (£37 million) in the fourth quarter of 2006.

ARTICLES

• Courtroom Alert – The first half of this newsletter answers the questions that arise regarding Claim Forms namely, A Claim Form has arrived – do I need to do anything? How much time do I have? I was away when the Claim Form arrived – what next? I have received a Witness Summons – what do I do? I am in a dispute, but I want to avoid having to issue a claim - what options do I have? The second half of the newsletter concerns Trademark Law. Effective as of 1 October 2007, the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) introduced what it claims to be "a new simplified trademark registration system" following amendment to s.5 of the Trademarks Act 1994. The changes, although they appear at first glance to be innocuous, are likely to have significant impact. Read more here on this matter.
  (October 2007)
  
  
• Courtroom Alert - the first half of the bulletin explores the obligation upon parties to litigation to preserve and disclose electronic material; and the steps which should be taken to reduce the risk of permanent loss of electronic material. Contract: rights of third parties is discussed in the latter section of the newsletter.
  (May 2007)
  
  
• The civil procedure rules 1999: A guide to the new regime - On 26 April 1999, the new Civil Procedure Rules take effect. They will introduce fundamental changes to the conduct of litigation in England and Wales and represent a complete overhaul of the old rules. The new regime will not only affect lawyers but will mean that all commercial people will need to re-think their approach to dispute management. More...
   
• The Woolf Reforms 12 months on - Lord Woolf's civil justice reforms have now been in operation for one year. The new Civil Procedure Rules (“the CPR”) which came into effect on 26 April 1999 have undoubtedly heralded a radical shake-up of the conduct of litigation in England and Wales. The purpose of this newsletter is to highlight some of the most significant developments in the last year which have practical importance to litigants. More...