Personal injury lawyers will have been interested to note the result of the “toxic sofas” litigation which has now provided a decision that various high street chains which sell leather furniture will pay sums totalling up to £20 million in respect of dermatological injuries suffered by the purchasers of leather sofas which contained a dangerous chemical.

The use, quality and reliability of expert evidence are controversial issues. The use of such evidence was once a rare thing. Recently it has become more commonplace and often plays a crucial role in how a case is determined, particularly in personal injury cases. There is now a new breed of “professional experts” whose main source of income comes from acting as an expert in litigation. With so much choice on offer it is said that solicitors “shop” for an expert who can support their case.

The victims of exposure to toxic waste that was being removed from a steelworks in Corby have agreed damages with the borough council in an out-ofcourt settlement.

A potentially world-class athlete has failed in his bid to hold his coach liable for a purported delay in obtaining treatment of the stress fractures in his back caused during a training session.