Animals and agricultural forum

A tail of ruff justice: dangerous dogs and the Animals Act, an update

Kennedys' Partner Huw Edwards, was joined by Senior Associate (FCILEx) Catherine Canham and guest speakers from Nine St John Street Elizabeth Murray and Victoria Rigby as they discussed:

• Canine claims and the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
• Crossing the gap between criminal and civil law (Animals Act 1971).
• Analysis of the criminal case of R v Foxcroft.
• Case update on Koetsier v Thomas & Nolton Stables.
• Breed specific legislation, breed identification and general policy considerations.

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In the dog house: policy issues in animal claims

During this session, our speakers will consider common policy issues which arise across the spectrum of animal claims. At times, there may be more than one policy that may apply and when dealing with individual policyholders, it is important to be able to reach a swift decision. Finally, we will consider case examples and discuss how these have been reviewed by the courts. 

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A kick in the teeth: a review of liability issues in equine freelancers

During this session, Kennedys' Senior Associate Georgina Cox was joined by Ian Camm, Veterinary Surgeon at B&W Equine Vets and Georgina Crawford, Barrister from Ropewalk Chambers as they discussed:

• Injuries to freelancers attending equine facilities and potential causes of action.
• Negligence within equine veterinary work.
• The common potential risk areas from Pre Purchase examinations to working with paraprofessionals such as farriers and equine dental technicians.
• Previous claims involving external professionals and considerations into how these were pleaded and outcomes achieved. 

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Product related risks in farming and agriculture

During this session, Kennedys' Partner Nathalie Smyth and Senior Associate Katherine Ciclitira, considered:

• The basis of product liability claims in the farming and agricultural sector.
• The types of product related claims often seen in this area, including those arising from the use of pesticides and other chemicals, contaminated animal feed and consumption of agricultural produce.
• The evolving risk landscape and recent developments in this area. 

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Fight or flight: Reconstructing the cause of equine behaviour

The webinar chaired by Kennedys' Partner Huw Edwards, heared from Senior Associate Georgina Cox and Senior Consultant and expert witness Victoria Eyers from TRL as they discussed: 

• Considerations of Schoultz v Ball & others [2022] EWHC 2452 (KB), with insight from Victoria Eyers looking at how the accident was reconstructed and reflections on equine collisions.
• Legal update on the chain of causation and recent dog v horse antics.

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Across the borders: A review of Ireland, Scotland and Northern Ireland animals and agricultural claims

During this webinar, chaired by Huw Edwards we will hear from Aoife Conway, Clare Crawford and Ian Martindale as they provide a cross jurisdictional review of animals and agricultural claims within Ireland, Scotland and Northern Ireland. In particular: 

• Common law liability in Tort.
• Statutory liability.
• Pre-action process.

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Disease claims in the agricultural sector

The webinar, chaired by Huw Edwards will hear from a panel of our occupational disease team as they discuss:

Standard claims but from unusual places:

• Noise induced loss - agricultural machinery and animals.
• HAVS - farm equipment and machinery.
• RSI - in the manual workforce and supply chain.
• Asthma/lung fibrosis - birds and agricultural chemicals.
• Asbestos in farm buildings.

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When things go wrong…highway hazards

The webinar, chaired by Kennedys' Partner Huw Edwards will hear from Kennedys' Partner Naomi North and 23 Essex Street Barrister Kevin Saunders as they consider some of the potential offences arising from mud and debris being left on the road and the obligations on land owners/farmers required to comply with the law. They will also consider cases of livestock straying onto the highway and potential sentences that can be imposed by a court.

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Dissecting dog aggression - genetics and learning

Dog strikes: man's best friend or liability burden?

This webinar will consider the complex area of law involving liability for an injury caused by an animal knocking over a claimant. This usually involves dogs, and less rarely cattle.

Cattle - keeping a-herd of the dangers

Kennedys' Emma Cahill and Huw Edwards will be joined by guest speaker Alan Bloor, Reading Agricultural Consultants to discuss the dangers to the public involving farmers cattle in the countryside including:

• Public footpaths and livestock – the risks.
• Legal duties – civil and regulatory.
• How to minimise the risk in exposure to claims.

The Animals Act: Facing the hurdle of Section 2

In this session our speakers discuss:

• The Animals Act, a detailed look into defending Section 2(2)(a).
• Likelihood and severity of injury from an expert’s perspective.
• Trends in recent case law and the approach taken in Dennis v Voute Sales Ltd [2022].