'Not likely to be a common occurrence'

摘要

The headline to this piece is provided by Lord Justice Tuckey: they were the words he used after delivering his powerful, long-predicted, but nonetheless shocking judgment in Co-operative Wholesale Society vs International Computers Limited. This ￡11 m dispute began its life in the Technology and Construction Court, a specialist division of the High Court. TCC judges are renowned for their skill, judgment, patience, attention to detail and experience. They resolve some of the UK's most complex, thorny and valuable claims. This case arose after ICL agreed to develop software to integrate computers in CWS' stores. A most unlikely candidate for fireworks, headlines or "body counts", this case has nevertheless been generating them spectacularly for more than a year. Here is a potted history...