RE: Court Case31 Dec 2018 12:52
Others may have a much better idea but would've thought filing a defence means the defendant intends to progress things to the next stage. This must surely have all sorts of implications, including a loss in the court case meaning they are liable for the full amount and court costs.
Much easier to settle 'Out of Court' unless Hope/ OMF feel they have a very solid case/defence. If they don't - and at this point we can't know - then they are potentially causing big problems for themselves by filing that defence.
I think think and believe that Hope/ OMF are likely to have behaved improperly. Most PIs would suspect that they may have done (real murky world, especially when you bring YA and shorters into the equation). If they have done something they shouldn't have and FRR have evidence, then this is a BIGGY.
Naturally, not having heard as yet about whether that defence has been filed leaves us to speculate all sorts. But from where I am, not hearing doesn't mean that a defence has been filed and that it's a good one. Suggested previously, not hearing right now may be because they are working on an Out of Court agreement/settlement, but not reached finality on that. If that were the case, can see why no RNS as yet.
Also, if a defence had been filed by Dec 28th, would we have heard by now about a possible date for the next hearing?