This recent case in the Hong Kong High Court serves as a warning to would-be fraudsters as well as providing further guidance on the Article 20 "all necessary measures" defence in the Warsaw Convention.
Airlines are often the target of suspicious claims. Amongst the most bizarre are allegations that passengers have swallowed glass particles in drinks served to them during flights, allegedly resulting in both physical and mental injury. Typically, such claims involve lengthy and detailed investigations, require expensive expert evidence and the attendance of many witnesses (cabin crew) and are difficult to resolve. The recent Hong Kong High Court decision of Olding v. Singapore Airlines Limited [2003] 1 HKC 352 is a good example.
