Mock Arbitration

CIArb's North West Branch is hosting an in-person Mock Arbitration. 

Sir Rupert is the appointed Arbitrator in a dispute between a theatre company and a production company.  The dispute relates to the collapse of a lighting boom onto the theatre stage during rehearsals.  The Arbitration shall explore the resulting commercial and legal implications.  High drama is sure to breakout in Chambers.

Dame Timola Rice Davies is a well-known British producer and playwright. Her latest production, titled Expectations, is about the life and achievements of one of Liverpool’s most famous civil engineers, John Alexander Brodie. As is tradition, a preview evening of the play was held just before release to the provinces, at which press and art-world critics were invited along with regular theatregoers. The venue selected was the Haliford Theatre, Guildswick, a small venue which seats 450 people. Unfortunately, half way through the performance, one of the lighting booms collapsed onto the stage narrowly missing the actors but necessitating the theatre to be evacuated.

The contract between Rice Davies Productions Limited (RDP) and Haliford Theatre Company Limited (HTC) provided an entitlement for either party to resolve disputes under the contract by arbitration and RDP now seeks a declaration that HTC was not only in breach of contract but also negligent. In its defence, HTC denies it was in breach contending that the lighting rack was interfered with by a member of the production crew during rehearsals the day before. Further to this HTC challenges the arbitrator’s jurisdiction on those parts of the claim for damages which are not caught under the contract.

Agenda

5.30pm : Registration and light buffet refreshments

6.00pm : Start

8.00pm  : Finish

The arbitrator will be Sir Rupert Jackson and the parties will be represented by experienced counsel on both sides.

For further details, costs, and how to register, please refer here.