A UK high court judge has kicked out an indemnity case involving underwriter Thomas Miller that arose from a cargo loss 10 years ago.

The legal battle prompted Justice Stephen Males to propose a more streamlined procedure to ensure that such costly oral hearings do not effectively become full hearings.

The judge said in most cases hearings should last no more than 30 minutes and there should be no need for further written submissions, other than a succinct explanation from the applicant of what it contends is wrong with the dismissal on paper.