Finality In Civil Litigation: Re-opening Orders And Judgments Made But Not Yet Sealed

In the recent case of AIC Ltd v Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria [2022] UKSC 16, the UKSC considered an issue of wide-ranging relevance in civil proceedings: by what process and in accordance with what principles should a judge decide whether or not to exercise the power to re-open a judgment or order delivered in open court, but before the formal written minute of the order has been sealed? The case is of considerable significance because the question may arise at all stages of civil litigation, from interim and case management hearings, to final orders made at the end of a trial and even to orders made (but not yet sealed) on appeal. Read our case comment below to see whether the UKSC adopted the two-stage approach formulated by the Court of Appeal in the case.