TWENTY-TWO

BRISTOL—DECEMBER

The formalities of advancing the case to Court had proceeded smoothly. Months ago an airmail letter had left the offices in Queen Square addressed to the French Company in Marans holding it and its driver responsible for the accident. The letter, as was frequently the case, gave no details of the allegations of negligence. A copy of the letter had gone to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau in London for they would be responsible in cash terms for any negligence on the part of Bouchin whilst on English soil. As a matter of routine the nominated Insurers denied liability. They had appointed solicitors, nominally to represent Bouchin, but, in reality, to safeguard their own interests because the cost of defeat would be heavy.

The two firms of solicitors had quickly agreed that the Court should deal only with the issue of liability. If Goodhart lost, then damages were irrelevant. If he won, then the Court would take evidence about damages at a later date, if the parties failed to agree on an amount.

Today, the solicitors were face to face, before the District Registrar on the Hearing of the Summons for Directions. Jeremy Myers appeared for the Insurers. “Trial really ought to be at Exeter. I cannot accept any argument which Alistair Duncan has put forward for a trial in London.”

“I must say that I agree with you, Mr Myers. I find Mr Duncan’s arguments unpersuasive. Accordingly I order that this matter be tried at Exeter, before a Judge sitting alone. Listing Category B.”

Duncan accepted the decision with resignation. Exeter was the obvious place for Trial, but the word was that Proster would be sitting at Exeter. The odds of Proster taking Goodhart’s case now were 50:50, for there would be two Judges only at Exeter ‘taking Civil’.