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United Kingdom Leading Case limitation periodsprofessional negligence

Law Society v Sephton and Co

[2006] UKHL 22
JurisdictionUnited Kingdom
CourtUK House of Lords
Year2006
StatusBinding authority

Summary

A contingent liability does not constitute actionable damage for limitation purposes until the contingency materialises, so time does not run until then.

Key Principle

contingent liability does not constitute actionable damage for limitation purposes until the contingency materialises

Area of Law

Limitation

Related Cases

Wong Wai Man v Hospital Authority [2006] HKCFI 98

Addresses limitation period rules for latent damage in medical negligence claims in Hong Kong.

Bodycote HIP Ltd v Buckenham [2005] HKCA 273

Determines when time begins to run for negligence claims under the Hong Kong Limitation Ordinance (Cap 347), applying accrual principles to latent damage.

Pirelli General Cable Works Ltd v Oscar Faber and Partners [1983] 2 AC 1

In tort, a cause of action for latent damage accrues when physical damage occurs, not when the claimant discovers or could have discovered it.

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