Barton v Wright Hassall LLP [2018] UKSC 12

The appellant had brought professional negligence claim in 2005 against a law firm, Bowen Johnsons, which had acted for him in 1999. The respondent in this case, Wright Hassall LLP, initially acted for the claimant but then came off the record following a disagreement relating to fees. The claimant, representing himself, subsequently alleged that the respondent breached duties owed to him when they came off the record.

On the last day before the expiry of the issued claim form the claimant emailed the Claim Form and Response Pack to the respondent’s solicitors. The solicitors replied that they had not confirmed that service by email was acceptable and in the absence of that confirmation,