Case management

Under CPR 5.4, non-parties are entitled to obtain copies of documents on the court file without the court's permission. This practice note considers the relevant rules and issues that may arise, including how members of the public may obtain copies of statements of case and how parties who are concerned about details of their disputes becoming public can restrict access to court documents. A case study relating to an application to restrict access to court documents under CPR 5.4C, comprising an application notice, drafting notes and a draft order supplements this note (see Application to restrict access to court documents).

This practice note explains the purpose, principal uses of and procedure for Beddoe applications. To view Hugh Norbury's profile, click here.

This practice note sets out the main points to consider when you are completing an allocation questionnaire. IMPORTANT NOTE, following the publication of the Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2013 (SI 2013/262), the allocation questionnaire is replaced by the directions questionnaire  for all claims in which a defence is received on or after 1 April 2013.  For further details, see Article, Case management: the key reforms coming into force in April 2013.  See also Practice note, Case management: an overview. This note has not been updated to reflect the changes to the CPR effective from 1 April 2013. For information on completing a dirctions questionnaire, see Practice note, Case management: completing a directions questionnaire.

This practice note is a short practical guide to litigating in the District Registries for the first time.

A brief guide to the points to consider when you are deciding in which court to commence proceedings. This note covers the jurisdiction of the various courts in England and Wales (meaning the court's power or authority to try a claim)  and, where you have a choice of court under the rules, it gives guidance on how to choose the most appropriate court. For guidance on territorial jurisdiction, see Practice note, Jurisdiction: an overview.

This note looks at the right to claim interest in construction disputes in adjudication, arbitration and litigation. It considers the right at common law, under the terms of a contract or as an implied term under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998. The note also looks at interest claims in common construction disputes, such as claims for loss and expense, delay and disruption, and defects.

This note sets out the fees payable in the county court (including the Claim Production Centre and Money Claim Online) in relation to certain key stages in proceedings. For details of fees in the High Court, see Practice note, High Court fees: a quick guide. 

This Practice note considers Practice Direction 5C - Electronic Working Scheme - which came into force on 1 April 2010. IMPORTANT NOTE: On 20 April 2012, HM Courts and Tribunals Service announced that the electronic working system (introduced for the jurisdictions of the Royal Courts of Justice now in the Rolls Building) was to be shut down. The Royal Courts of Justice e-working mailbox is no longer available. HMCTS remains "fully committed" to delivering an electronic filing, document management and listing system "at the earliest opportunity" although there is currently no target date for implementation. We will be monitoring developments.

This practice note sets out the procedure for obtaining a transcript of part or the whole of a court hearing.

This note tracks implementation of each of Lord Justice Jackson's recommendations for reform of civil litigation costs (including those not formally presented as recommendations) in specific types of litigation. The note links to a separate note dealing with all other recommendations.

A note on the bail procedure in the magistrates' courts. It covers the bail application procedure and the statutory exceptions to the right to bail.

This note covers the key stages in a trial in the magistrates' court. It includes an overview of the plea before venue procedure, mode of trial procedure for either-way offences and also covers committal proceedings and case management.

This note covers sentencing and appeals from the magistrates' court. It also deals with the current sentencing guidelines and sentencing options.

This note provides an overview of the pre-action protocol for housing disrepair cases predominantly dealt with in the county court. It also considers the sanctions available to the court for non-compliance with the relevant pre-action protocol.

A checklist of practical points to bear in mind when preparing bundles for interim hearings.

A quick guide to recovering a modest trade debt where both parties are businesses within the jurisdiction and there is likely to be no substantial dispute of fact or evidence.

This note outlines the effect of rule 11 of the Solicitors' Code of Conduct 2007, identifying key provisions and changes. Note: The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Handbook, fully in force from 6 October 2011, replaces the Solicitors' Code of Conduct 2007.  PLC has published the following Practice notes, on the SRA Code of Conduct 2011: SRA Handbook 2011 and Code of Conduct. SRA Handbook and Code of Conduct: Chapter 5: your client and the court.

The Solicitors' Code of Conduct 2007 and all other existing Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) rules have been rewritten and reformatted into a new SRA Handbook. The date for implementation of the Handbook is currently scheduled to be 6 October 2011. This Practice note highlights the ten key points that in-house lawyers need to consider in advance of its introduction.

This note sets out the fees payable in the Supreme Court in relation to certain key stages in proceedings.   For details of fees payable in the High Court, see Practice note, High Court fees: a quick guide. For details of fees payable in the county court, see Practice note, County court fees: a quick guide.

The case management conference (CMC) is a very important step in litigation. CMCs are used by the courts for considering the issues in dispute and whether they can be narrowed before trial,  for exercising their broad case management powers and for giving directions for the management of the proceedings up to trial.  This note explains what is involved in a CMC and how to prepare to get the best out of it, bearing in mind different considerations for different courts.

This practice note sets out the circumstances in which the parties may agree to vary the time specified by the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) or the court for a person to do any act, and when the court's permission is required. It also summarises the procedure for seeking the court's permission in the various divisions of the High Court.