§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Attorney-General what comments have been received on the consultative paper on the draft convention with the United States for the Reciprocal Recognition and Enforcement of Judgment in Civil Matters which was circulated in March 1979; and whether it is intended to continue negotiation on the convention.
§ The Attorney-GeneralA substantial proportion of the bodies which commented on the consultative paper felt that a convention might be harmful in view of the very high damages awarded by American juries, especially in personal268W injury and product liability cases; and that it would not be possible to devise any means of mitigating the enforcement of such judgments which would not be excessively difficult to operate in practice. Taking these and other views into consideration, Her Majesty's Government have decided not to pursue negotiations on a draft convention, and have so informed the United States authorities.