The Dekagram: 7th August 2023

• Published date: 09 August 2023
• Subject Matter: Corporate/Commercial Law, Real Estate and Construction, Corporate and Company Law, Landlord & Tenant - Leases
• Law Firm: Deka Chambers
• Author: Ms Sarah Prager

Attentive readers will recall Max Melsa's recent article on the decision in Abbott v Ministry of Defence [2023] EWHC 1475 (KB) relating to group actions (The Dekagram: 26th June 2023 - Deka Chambers - Barristers' Chambers). Barely had we had a chance to digest the judgment when another similar case came along, and with a similar result, cementing the decision as being the courts' Final Word on the topic, as least for the foreseeable future.

Abbott v Ministry of Defence Revisited: Morris v Williams & Co Solicitors

In Morris v Williams & Co Solicitors [2023] 7 WLUK 444 the court was presented with 134 claimants who had been represented by the defendant solicitors in nine failed property investment schemes. The completion of the lease agreements in which they invested was contingent on the selling companies acquiring title to the development sites, but they never did so, and the investors were left with worthless lease agreements and in some cases worthless guarantees from other group companies. The investors all issued a single claim form against the...