Anthony McCarroll v. Statham Gill Davis ( A Firm)

[2003] EWCA Civ 425
Pill LJ, Latham LJ, Morland J
Court of Appeal
April 2003

 

Solicitors' negligence claim defeated on limitation grounds. The cause of action accrued when the agreement was executed, not when loss was subsequently suffered.

The appellant was formerly the drummer of the band Oasis. Mr Statham of the defendant firm acted for all members of the band at the time they entered into a recording contract with Sony in 1993. It was argued that Mr Statham acted negligently in allowing the agreement to favour the Gallagher brothers to the detriment of the other band members. He allegedly failed to highlight that a conflict of interest had arisen between the band members or that the appellant was left vulnerable to instant dismissal without compensation.

The appeal was dismissed on limitation grounds. The appellant suffered damage when the agreement was executed and so the cause of action accrued more than six years before the issue of proceedings. There was no deliberate concealment.