Most correspondence between the parties in a dispute will be considered “open” correspondence that can be placed before the court at a hearing of the matter if necessary.
In contrast, negotiations that are a genuine attempt to settle a dispute are generally considered to have been made on a “without prejudice” basis. This includes anything said or disclosed during a mediation, written correspondence and verbal communications.
Correspondence between parties on a without prejudice basis generally cannot be relied on in court. The main exception is correspondence marked “without prejudice save as to costs” which can be presented to the court after a judgment has been given and when the court is deciding who should pay the legal costs of the parties.
The without prejudice rules are designed to encourage parties to resolve their dispute. You (or your legal advisors) may make concessions about your claim, in a genuine attempt to settle the dispute, knowing that the information cannot later be disclosed in court. It is important to take legal advice to ensure that you are using without prejudice correspondence appropriately.
Litigation can be a stressful and costly experience and you do have a duty to consider alternative dispute resolution including mediation If you receive correspondence relating to a contested estate dispute labelled ‘without prejudice’, please contact us at the earliest opportunity for advice tailored to your individual circumstances. As specialists in these matters, we assist our clients in resolving matters out of court, wherever possible, in a sensitive and cost-effective manner.
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We’re delighted to welcome our newest intake of talent, as well as announce seat rotations for our progressing trainees and solicitor apprentices.
Welcoming our 1st-year Trainees & Apprentice: Finlay Dorman (Neurotrauma), Jake Bowyer (Family), Alexandra Bailey (Real Estate), Florence Read (Real Estate), and Anna Stanley (Wills, Trusts & Estates).
Celebrating our Seat Rotations:
• Ellie Stannard ➔ Employment
• Beth Tait ➔ Wills, Trusts & Estates
• Lewis Cooper ➔ Corporate
• Sabrina Jackland ➔ Dispute Resolution
• Sophie Lemon ➔ Residential Property
• Lucy Hunter ➔ Court of Protection
Plus, Faith Ramsay and Alex Patterson continue their great work in their current seats.
Wishing everyone the best of luck in this next chapter of their legal careers with us.
#EarlyCareers #LegalJobs #TraineeSolicitors #Apprenticeships #Sintons
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Sep 14
Sintons is proud to support Major Trauma Awareness Week 2026 with @dayonetrauma. This year`s message: "I lost my life when I didn`t die." Only 1 in 10 survivors of life-changing injury get the full support they need to rebuild their lives.
Find out more: https://tinyurl.com/mryxtz3p
#MajorTraumaAwarenessWeek #DayOneTrauma #MajorTrauma #TraumaSupport
Sep 14
Forced Blood Transfusion and the High Court`s Inherent Jurisdiction.
In Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust & Anor v QF [2026] the High Court considered whether a hospital could lawfully administer a life-saving blood transfusion under s.63 MHA to a patient who was objecting? The court examined the interface between MHA and the MCA and concluded that in cases where compulsory treatment under the MHA raises exceptional issues and no effective means of challenge exists, the inherent jurisdiction can function as a safeguard.
https://tinyurl.com/23hehe4c
#BloodTransfusion
Sep 11
The first wave of post-AGNI reported decisions is here.
In AR (Whether restrictions amount to a deprivation of liberty) [2026] the court found that extensive restrictions in a supported living placement did not amount to a deprivation of liberty, offering an early glimpse into the post-Cheshire West landscape following the Supreme Court`s decision in AGNI.
https://tinyurl.com/yv2uzjhe
#DeprivationofLiberty
Sep 10
Join Sintons & Institute of Registered Case Managers for "Planning Futures, Learning From Practice" — an evening exploring regulation, duty of care vs funding decisions, and real-world insight for case management professionals.
Register: https://tinyurl.com/yhm8d9cw
#CaseManagement #IRCM
Sep 10
67% of people in the UK don`t have a Will, or theirs is outdated. Without one, the law decides who inherits — not you.
A Will isn`t about wealth. It`s about making your wishes clear https://tinyurl.com/4unbsmfs
#EstatePlanning #Wills #LegalAdvice
Sep 10
