Legal Definitions - Q.B.D.

Q.B.D. stands for the Queen's Bench Division.

The Queen's Bench Division is one of the three main divisions of the High Court of Justice in England and Wales. It handles a wide variety of civil cases, including disputes related to contracts, personal injury claims (torts like negligence and defamation), and commercial matters. It also has a significant role in judicial review, where the legality of decisions made by public bodies and government ministers is challenged.

Here are some examples of situations where the Queen's Bench Division would be involved:

• Example 1: Commercial Contract Dispute

  Imagine a scenario where a large construction company believes a supplier has failed to deliver essential building materials on time, causing significant delays and financial losses, in breach of their signed contract. The construction company decides to sue the supplier for damages to recover their losses. This type of commercial dispute, involving a breach of contract, would typically be heard in the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court, as it falls squarely within its civil jurisdiction for complex commercial matters.

• Example 2: Personal Injury Claim Due to Negligence

  Consider a situation where an individual suffers a severe injury after a defective product malfunctions, and they believe the manufacturer was negligent in its design and safety testing. The injured person decides to pursue a claim for personal injury compensation against the manufacturer. Such a claim, based on the tort of negligence and seeking substantial damages, would be brought before the Queen's Bench Division to determine liability and assess the appropriate compensation.

• Example 3: Judicial Review of a Public Body Decision

  Suppose a local community group wants to challenge a decision made by their city council to sell off a beloved public park for private development. The group argues that the council did not follow proper consultation procedures or consider the environmental impact adequately, making their decision unlawful. The community group would apply for a judicial review of the council's decision. This process, which scrutinizes the legality and fairness of decisions made by public authorities, is a key function of the Queen's Bench Division.