Employment

It was well established that it was a critical aspect of fairness that a party should know the case it had to meet. It was also a central tenet of justice that disputes should be heard where a fair hearing was possible and cases should not lightly be ruled out on a procedural technicality without determination on the merits. One way in which case management powers could be exercised in such a case would be to order particulars of the claim or response to be given.  If they were not given in response to such an order, whether through misunderstanding, mental illness, lack of awareness of that which the other party would need to meet the claim or response, or a deliberate refusal or failure to comply, an “unless order” might be made.  If such an order was not complied with within its terms by the date set out in the order, the claim or response would stand struck out without the need for any further order. It was also well established that the scope of discretion