§ Harry CohenTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if the Lord Chancellor will introduce legislation to change the law so that if a claim is made against a first defendant and a second defendant 565W for the same sum of money the case against the latter is not decided upon until the case against the former is resolved; and if she will make a statement. [13145]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe Lord Chancellor has no current plans to change the law on joint or joint and several liability. However. under the general case management powers of the court, the trial judge may consolidate proceedings or direct a separate trial of any issue for the purpose of managing the case and furthering the overriding objective of the Civil Procedure Rules of enabling the courts to deal with cases justly.