An Oxford Union-style debate chaired by Mr Justice Picken

Over 100 guests joined the CLF on Thursday 23rd October at White & Case as we renewed our focus on access to justice and the rule of law. 

As part of our programme for shedding light on “rule of law issues” we were delighted to return to our roots with an Oxford Union-style debate. We were joined by Mr Justice Picken in the role of chair.

The motion debated was:

“This House Believes that we should fundamentally change Cost Shifting in Commercial Litigation to enable greater access to justice”

Proposing the Motion: Charlotte Thomas and Hilton Mervis
Opposing the Motion: Patrick Green KC and Ravi Nayer

A distinguished jury panel — including Suber Akther (Siemens), Dr John Sorabji, Alanna Andrew (Selecta), Kevin O’Flaherty (Pamplona Capital Management), Colin Campbell (Kain Knight), Patrick Begley (Lloyds Banking Group), Christian Dybdahl-Ovesen (CORDET Capital Partners), Clare Wardle (Coca-Cola Europacific Partners), Siobhan Perrigo (VWM Capital), Ben Rigby (Global Legal Post) and Andrew Durant (FTI Consulting) — decided whether the motion carried.

The audience voted against the motion, with the jury deciding in favour.

The debate was followed by a valuable opportunity to get together for drinks with colleagues from across commercial litigation.

Our thanks go to White & Case for hosting us. The work of the Commercial Litigators Forum, including the Litigation Directory, continues to directly support the National Pro Bono Centre.  We warmly welcomed service providers who are sponsors of the CLF Litigation Directory.