Disputes Yearbook 2024 – The view from London 

2024 has been another eventful year for commercial disputes. Class actions have continued to be a significant feature of the litigation landscape, building on trends from last year, with some large group actions proceeding through the courts and claimants and litigation funders continuing to push the boundaries of representative actions.  

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has given judgments relating to anti-suit injunctions, force majeure clauses, collateral warranties and the application of retained EU law (now known as assimilated law). There have also been important decisions relating to the implication of Russia-related sanctions, liability for secret commissions in brokered finance cases, and judicial review challenges relating to ESG issues. Russian aviation insurance claims and Covid-19 business interruption cases have also continued to keep the courts busy.

On the legislative front, the UK Government is taking forward proposals to reform the Arbitration Act 1996, but proposed legislation relating to litigation funding has been shelved pending the Civil Justice Council's review of the sector. Proposed changes to how retained EU law will be amended and interpreted in domestic law have also been suspended and will be looked at in the wider context of the government's work to reset UK relations with the EU.

Elsewhere, the government has ratified the Hague Judgments Convention 2019, which is an important development for the enforcement of UK judgments internationally, including in the EU.

This is just a snapshot of the major themes in disputes over the last year. You can read insights from our London disputes team on these topics as well as other major developments below.