Third party notice set aside due to unreasonable delay

Application to set aside third party notice served on applicant as a notice party to proceedings - whether claim statute-barred - status of applicant's supposed partnership in relevant firm - whether applicant prejudiced by defendants' delay in bringing forth its own prior application to join third parties to the proceedings - applicant's firm denied indemnity on grounds of delay in notification of application to join - substantive proceedings seeking damages for breach of contract and negligence - advices regarding investment received from defendant financial and tax advisors resulted in losses - Order 16 rule 8(3) RSC - chronology of case progression - whether applicant not liable as he was not a partner in firm at relevant time - whether plaintiff's claim statute-barred - inherent jurisdiction of the court - entering an unconditional appearance - rules of superior courts - issue of delay - principles to be applied - alleged losses span a greater period than applicant asserts which covers his period of partnership - statute issue not clear at this time - absence or presence of special prejudice affecting proposed third party not something to be considered by court at this time - defendants' delay following delivery of statement of claim - whole circumstances of case progression - third party notice set aside.