V v R [2011] EWHC 822 (QB)
Litigation capacity. The experts agreed that, as a result of her impulsive nature, V lacked capacity to manage her financial affairs; however, they disagreed on whether she had litigation capacity. The critical future decisions would be in connection with settlement offers (including the global value of the claim, provisional damages and periodical payments) albeit in the conext of the common understanding that she would not have unfettered access to the money. V would have difficulties in weighing the evidence and making decisions, but they could be ameliorated, if not entirely overcome, by the careful and structured support that the statute contemplates: the decisions would be made in the presence of her mother and lawyers; there was no suggestion that V would be left to make decisions on her own. On balance she did not lack capacity to ligitate.
Other
Judgment: 8/2/11
Before: Burnett J
Mr Hillier appeared on behalf of the Claimant
Mr Baldock appeared on behalf of the Defendant
Citations
Claim No: TLQ/10/0438
External link
Possible Bailii link (not there when checked last night, but might have appeared since)