Patent decision

BL number

O/215/00

Concerning rights in

GB 9124404.6 & EP0543579

Hearing Officer

Mr G M Bridges

Decision date

6 June 2000

Person(s) or Company(s) involved

Gordon Stephen Ford v Southern Water Technologies

Provisions discussed

PA 1977 sections 8, 12

Keywords

Amendment, Entitlement, Evidence

Related Decisions

None

Summary

Procedural, oral decision

The respondents in an employer-employee dispute action asked the hearing officers discretion to amend their counter-statement and to file late evidence not much more than two weeks in advance of the date set for the substantive hearing. The issue was heard as a preliminary matter prior to the substantive hearing. After hearing both sides submissions, the hearing officer felt that the balance of the over-riding principle of the CPR favoured allowing the respondents requests. However, he penalised the respondents by awarding £1000 in costs against them, to be paid to the referrer within 14 days of the end of the appeal period. The hearing was then adjourned for the referrer to consider his response.