Helen Pagett

Insurance & Reinsurance

Helen appears at inquests on behalf of insurer clients and organisations.

Selected Cases

Civil/Insurance Fraud

Helen is regularly instructed by Defendants on claims where there are concerns of fraud and fundamental dishonesty. Her advice is often sort pre-action to consider if fraud and / or fundamental dishonesty should be alleged at an early stage and / or what steps can be taken to strength the client’s case on these issues (including surveillance). Helen has in the past year, secured several discontinuations from Claimants after the service of defences in which she has pleaded fraud and / or fundamental dishonesty, and has also successfully obtained findings of fundamental dishonesty at trial and disapplication of costs.

Recent claims Helen has been involved:

• A claim involving an initial RTA, where liability was admitted, and then it morphed into a large multi-track claim with a claim for loss of earnings for life. Following service of the Claimant’s witness evidence, and conference with the experts, concerns arose out of the veracity of the claim and the Claimant himself (including if he was a fantasist). Following Part 18s, drafted by Helen, the Claimant accepted a Part 36 offer 18 months of time, which was totally subsumed by the Defendant’s costs;
• A multi-track claim arising out of a fall out of a wildlife park where there were concerns about the cause of the claim and exaggeration of symptoms. Following Part 35 questions to the expert, drafted by Helen, and also a successful application to rely on further evidence, the Claimant’s solicitors came off the record;
• A multi-track claim arising out of an employer’s liability incident at a warehouse. On the basis of the evidence, Helen advised to allege fundamental dishonesty in the defence (which she drafted). The Claimant discontinued his claim shortly after proceedings were served.

Selected Cases

Articles

• The County Court as rubber stamp?
• Beyond the Headlines: A review of the decision in R(on the application) of (1) Dr Cathy Gardener and (2) Ms Fay Harris and possible consequences arsing from this

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News

• Beyond the Headlines: A review of the decision in R(on the application) of (1) Dr Cathy Gardener and (2) Ms Fay Harris and possible consequences arsing from this
• Helen Pagett has been appointed as a Deputy District Judge

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Qualifications

• BVC (Very Competent) Inner Temple Exhibition (2007-2008)
• GDL (Commendation) (2006-2007)
• Probationary Research Student (History of Medicine) University of Oxford Thomas Linacre Studentship (2005-2006)
• MA Philosophy (HPSM) (Distinction) (Dunelm) MA Wellcome Trust Studentship (2004-2005)
• BSc (Hons) Natural Sciences (1st Class) (Dunelm) (2001-2004)

Memberships

• PIBA