Irama v Formark
ContestedPoint 4: Signing / Attendance by an Unauthorised Person
Darren Malone (Irwin Mitchell)
Summary
This issue concerns the signing of court documents and attendance at hearings where Darren Malone of Irwin Mitchell is alleged by Irama to have been unauthorised. Irama claims Alice Court, Kunal Gadhvi, Hugh Miall, and Jessica Lavelle had knowledge of this status.
Evidence
Evidence Timeline
9 December 2024
Darren Malone (unauthorised) signs the Defendants' Skeleton Argument.
18 December 2024
Central London County Court before HHJ Saunders. Darren Malone appears for the Defendant. Recording transcript:
JUDGE SAUNDERS: "Hello Mr Malone, Mr Malone, you are a costs draftsman?"
MR MALONE: "I am, yes."
JUDGE SAUNDERS: "Do you have rights of audience before a circuit judge?"
MR MALONE: "Say that again, sorry?"
JUDGE SAUNDERS: "Do you have rights of audience before a circuit judge?"
MR MALONE: "On this matter, I believe it's in the county court, so would it not be governed by the Legal Services Act?"
JUDGE SAUNDERS: "Now, I am not so sure because I have not been faced with this situation before. As a former solicitor, it is nice to see non-counsel, do you know what I mean?"
MR MALONE: "It's something which I thoroughly enjoy."
20 March 2025
Darren Malone (unauthorised) signs the Defendants' Skeleton Argument.
5 April 2025
ICC before Judge Greenwood. Irama informs Judge Greenwood that Ms. Lavelle relied on documents signed by Malone; Irama contends the orders are "tainted."
5 December 2025
Before HHJ Bloom. Darren Malone appears for the Defendant and states he still does not have the right to conduct litigation.