Feest v South West Strategic Health Authority and Another – QBD (Bristol DR, Mercantile Ct) (HHJ Havelock-Allan QC sitting as a Judge of the High Court) [2014] EWHC 177 (QB) – 7 February 2014

Practice – Limitation of time – Personal injury – Claimant employee injured on rigid inflatable boat trip organised by employer – Claimant suing employer – Employer claiming contribution from operator of boat – Employer’s contribution claim brought outside time limit laid down in Athens Convention – Whether claim for contribution time-barred – Athens Convention 1974, article 16

On 26 August 2008 the claimant sustained a serious spinal injury whilst a passenger on board a nine-metre RIB (rigid inflatable boat) called Celtic Pioneer. The claimant and 10 work colleagues were participating in a short boat trip in the Bristol Channel as part of a corporate team building exercise.