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PART 26E+WCASE MANAGEMENT—PRELIMINARY STAGE

Contents of this Part

Scope of this PartRule 26.1
[F1Automatic transfer [F2in the High Court] – generally]Rule 26.2
[F3Transfer of money claims within the County Court] [F4Rule 26.2]
[F5Directions] questionnaireRule 26.3
Stay to allow for settlement of the caseRule 26.4
[F6Referral to the Mediation Service Rule 26.4A]
AllocationRule 26.5
Scope of each trackRule 26.6
General rule for allocationRule 26.7
Matters relevant to allocation to a trackRule 26.8
Notice of allocationRule 26.9
Re-allocationRule 26.10

Textual Amendments

F1Words in Pt. 26 Table of Contents substituted (19.3.2012) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.4) Rules 2011 (S.I. 2011/3103), rules 1, 9(a)(i)

F5Word in Pt. 26 Table of Contents substituted (1.4.2013) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/262), rules 2, 8(a) (with rule 22)

Scope of this PartE+W

26.1—(1) This Part provides for—

(a)the automatic transfer of some defended cases [F7in the High Court;]

[F8(a1)the circumstances in which defended cases may be sent from one County Court hearing centre or court office to another; and]

(b)the allocation of defended cases to case management tracks.

(2) There are three tracks—

(a)the small claims track;

(b)the fast track; and

(c)the multi-track.

(Rule 26.6 sets out the normal scope of each track. Part 27 makes provision for the small claims track. Part 28 makes provision for the fast track. Part 29 makes provision for the multi-track)

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I1Rule 26.1 in force at 26.4.1999, see Signature

Automatic transfer [F9in the High Court] E+W

26.2—(1) F10... This rule applies to proceedings [F11in the High Court] where—

(a)the claim is for a specified amount of money;

(b)the claim was commenced in a court which is not the defendant’s home court;

(c)the claim has not been transferred to another defendant’s home court F12...; and

(d)the defendant is an individual.

(2) This rule does not apply where the claim was commenced in a specialist list(GL).

(3) Where this rule applies, the court will transfer the proceedings to the defendant’s home court when a defence is filed, unless paragraph (4) applies.

(Rule 2.3 defines “defendant’s home court”)

(4) Where the claimant notifies the court under rule 15.10 or rule 14.5 that he wishes the proceedings to continue, the court will transfer the proceedings to the defendant’s home court when it receives that notification from the claimant.

(Rule 15.10 deals with a claimant’s notice where the defence is that money claimed has been paid)

(Rule 14.5 sets out the procedure where the defendant admits part of a claim for a specified amount of money)

(5) Where—

(a)the claim is against two or more defendants with different home courts; and

(b)the defendant whose defence is filed first is an individual,

proceedings are to be transferred under this rule to the home court of that defendant.

(6) The time when a claim is automatically transferred under this rule may be varied by a practice direction in respect of claims issued by the Production Centre.

(Rule 7.10 makes provision for the Production Centre)

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I2Rule 26.2 in force at 26.4.1999, see Signature

[F13[F14Transfer of money claims within the County Court] E+W

26.2A.—(1) This rule applies where the claim is [F15for an amount of money in the County Court, specified or unspecified].

(2) If at any time F16... a [F17court] officer considers that the claim should be referred to a judge for directions, the [F17court] officer may [F18send] the proceedings to [F19the defendant’s home court or the preferred hearing centre or other County Court hearing centre] [F20as may be appropriate].

[F21(3) [F22Subject to paragraphs (5) and (5A)], if the defendant is an individual [F23and the claim is for a specified sum of money], at the relevant time the claim [F24must] be sent to the defendant’s home court (save that where there are two or more defendants, one or more of whom are individuals, the claim [F24must] be sent to the home court of the defendant who first files their defence).]

(4) [F25Subject to paragraphs (5) and (5A)], in any other claim to which this rule applies, the court [F26must], at the relevant time, [F27send] the claim to the [F28preferred hearing centre].

[F29(5) [F30Subject to paragraph (5A), if, on their directions questionnaire]—

(a)a defendant under paragraph (3) has specified a hearing centre other than the defendant’s home court; or

(b)a claimant under paragraph (4) has specified a hearing centre other than the preferred hearing centre,

the claim must be sent to that other hearing centre.]

[F31(5A) At the relevant time, the claim must be sent to the County Court at Central London if—

(a)the claim is started at the County Court Business Centre or the County Court Money Claims Centre;

(b)a court officer provisionally decides, pursuant to rule 26.3, that the track which appears to be most suitable for the claim is the multi-track; and

(c)either—

(i)in respect of a defendant under paragraphs (3) and (5)(a), the home court (or the home court of the defendant who first files their defence) or the hearing centre specified on the directions questionnaire; or

(ii)in respect of a claimant under paragraphs (4) and (5)(b), the preferred hearing centre or the hearing centre specified on the directions questionnaire,

is one of the hearing centres listed in Practice Direction 26 at paragraph 10.4.]

[F32(6) The relevant time for the purposes of this rule is when—

(a)all parties have filed their directions questionnaires;

(b)any stay ordered by the court or period to attempt settlement through mediation has expired; or

(c)if the claim falls within Practice Direction 7D—

(i)the defence is filed; or

(ii)enforcement of a default judgment other than by a warrant of [F33control] is requested,

whichever occurs first.]]

Textual Amendments

[F34Directions] questionnaireE+W

26.3—[F35(1) If a defendant files a defence—

(a)a court officer will—

(i)provisionally decide the track which appears to be most suitable for the claim; and

(ii)serve on each party a notice of proposed allocation; and

(b)the notice of proposed allocation will—

(i)specify any matter to be complied with by the date specified in the notice;

(ii)require the parties to file a completed directions questionnaire and serve copies on all other parties;

(iii)state the address of the court or the court office to which the directions questionnaire must be returned;

(iv)inform the parties how to obtain the directions questionnaire; and

(v)if a case appears suitable for allocation to the fast track or multi-track, require the parties to file proposed directions by the date specified in the notice.]

F36[F37(1A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(1B) The court will always serve on any unrepresented party the appropriate [F38directions] questionnaire.]

(2) Where there are two or more defendants and at least one of them files a defence, the court will serve the [F39a notice under paragraph [F40(1)]] —

(a)when all the defendants have filed a defence; or

(b)when the period for the filing of the last defence has expired,

whichever is the sooner.

(Rule 15.4 specifies the period for filing a defence)

[F41(3) If proceedings are automatically transferred under rule 26.2 or rule 26.2A the court in which the proceedings have been commenced—

(a)will serve the notice of proposed allocation before the proceedings are transferred; and

(b)will not transfer the proceedings until all parties have complied with the notice or the time for doing so has expired.]

[F42(4) If rule 15.10 or rule 14.5 applies, the court will not serve a notice under rule 26.3(1) until the claimant has filed a notice requiring the proceedings to continue.]

F43(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F44(6) If a notice is served under rule 26.3(1)—

(a)each party must file F45..., and serve on all other parties, the documents required by the notice by no later than the date specified in it; and

(b)the date specified will be—

(i)if the notice relates to the small claims track, at least 14 days; or

(ii)if the notice relates to the fast track or multi-track, at least 28 days,

after the date when it is deemed to be served on the party in question.]

[F46(6A) The date for complying with a notice served under rule 26.3(1) may not be varied by agreement between the parties.]

(7) The time when the court serves [F47a directions] questionnaire under this rule may be varied by a practice direction in respect of claims issued by the Production Centre.

[F48(7A) If a claim is a [F49claim to which rule 26.2A applies] and a party does not comply with the notice served under rule 26.3(1) by the date specified—

(a)the court will serve a further notice on that party, requiring them to comply within 7 days; and

(b)if that party fails to comply with the notice served under subparagraph (a), the party’s statement of case will be struck out without further order of the court.]

[F50(8) [F51If a claim is [F52a claim to which rule 26.2 applies] and a party does not comply with the notice served under rule 26.3(1) by the date specified], the court will make such order as it considers appropriate, including—

(a)an order for directions;

(b)an order striking out the claim;

(c)an order striking out the defence and entering judgment; or

(d)listing the case for a case management conference.

F53(9) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(10) Where [F54a case has been struck out] under rule [F5526.3(7A)(b) or [F56an order has been made under] 26.3(8)], a party who was in default will not normally be entitled to an order for the costs of any application to set aside or vary that order nor of attending any case management conference and will, unless the court thinks it unjust to do so, be ordered to pay the costs that the default caused to [F57any other party].]

(Rule 7.10 makes provision for the Production Centre)

([F58Rules 6.14 and 6.26 specify] when a document is deemed to be served)

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I3Rule 26.3 in force at 26.4.1999, see Signature

Stay to allow for settlement of the caseE+W

26.4—(1) A party may, when filing the completed [F59directions] questionnaire, make a written request for the proceedings to be stayed(GL) while the parties try to settle the case by alternative dispute resolution(GL) or other means.

[F60(2) If all parties request a stay the proceedings will be stayed for one month and the court will notify the parties accordingly.

(2A) If the court otherwise considers that such a stay would be appropriate, the court will direct that the proceedings, either in whole or in part, be stayed for one month, or for such other period as it considers appropriate.]

(3) The court may extend the stay(GL) until such date or for such specified period as it considers appropriate.

(4) Where the court stays(GL) the proceedings under this rule, the claimant must tell the court if a settlement is reached.

(5) If the claimant does not tell the court by the end of the period of the stay(GL) that a settlement has been reached, the court will give such directions as to the management of the case as it considers appropriate.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I4Rule 26.4 in force at 26.4.1999, see Signature

[F61Referral to the Mediation ServiceE+W

26.4A.—(1) This rule applies to claims started in the County Court which would normally be allocated to the small claims track pursuant to rule 26.6.

(2) This rule does not apply to—

(a)road traffic accident, personal injury or housing disrepair claims; or

(b)any claim in which any party to the proceedings does not agree to referral to the Mediation Service.

(3) In this rule, “the Mediation Service” means the Small Claims Mediation Service operated by Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service.

(4) Where all parties indicate on their directions questionnaire that they agree to mediation, the claim will be referred to the Mediation Service.

(5) If a claim to which this rule applies is settled, the proceedings will automatically be stayed with permission to apply for—

(a)judgment for the unpaid balance of the outstanding sum of the settlement agreement; or

(b)the claim to be restored for hearing of the full amount claimed,

unless the parties have agreed that the claim is to be discontinued or dismissed.]

Textual Amendments

AllocationE+W

26.5—[F62(1) The court will allocate the claim to a track—

(a)when all parties have filed their directions questionnaires; or

(b)when giving directions pursuant to rule 26.3(8),

unless it has stayed the proceedings under rule 26.4.]

(Rules 12.7 and 14.8 provide for the court to allocate a claim to a track where the claimant obtains default judgment on request or judgment on admission for an amount to be decided by the court)

(2) If the court has stayed(GL) the proceedings under rule 26.4, it will allocate the claim to a track at the end of the period of the stay.

[F63(2A) If—

(a)a claim is referred to the Mediation Service pursuant to rule 26.4A; and

(b)the court has not been notified in writing that a settlement has been agreed,

the claim will be allocated to a track in accordance with this rule no later than four weeks from the date on which the last directions questionnaire is filed.]

(3) Before deciding the track to which to allocate proceedings or deciding whether to give directions for an allocation hearing to be fixed, the court may order a party to provide further information about his case.

(4) The court may hold an allocation hearing if it thinks it is necessary.

F64(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I5Rule 26.5 in force at 26.4.1999, see Signature

Scope of each trackE+W

26.6—(1) The small claims track is the normal track for—

(a)any claim for personal injuries where—

(i)the F65... value of the claim is not more than [F66£10,000]; and

(ii)the F67... value of any claim for damages for personal injuries is not more than £1,000;

(b)any claim which includes a claim by a tenant of residential premises against [F68a landlord] where—

(i)the tenant is seeking an order requiring the landlord to carry out repairs or other work to the premises (whether or not the tenant is also seeking some other remedy);

(ii)the cost of the repairs or other work to the premises is estimated to be not more than £1,000; and

(iii)the F69... value of any other claim for damages is not more than £1,000.

(Rule 2.3 defines “claim for personal injuries” as proceedings in which there is a claim for damages in respect of personal injuries to the claimant or any other person or in respect of a person’s death)

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1) “damages for personal injuries” means damages claimed as compensation for pain, suffering and loss of amenity and does not include any other damages which are claimed.

(3) Subject to paragraph (1), the small claims track is the normal track for any claim which has a F70... value of not more than [F71£10,000].

(Rule 26.7(4) provides that the court will not allocate to the small claims track certain claims in respect of harassment or unlawful eviction)

[F72(4) Subject to paragraph (5), the fast track is the normal track for any claim—

(a)for which the small claims track is not the normal track; and

(b)which has a value—

(i)for proceedings issued on or after 6th April 2009, of not more than £25,000; and

(ii)for proceedings issued before 6th April 2009, of not more than £15,000.]

(5) The fast track is the normal track for the claims referred to in paragraph (4) only if the court considers that—

(a)the trial is likely to last for no longer than one day; and

(b)oral expert evidence at trial will be limited to—

(i)one expert per party in relation to any expert field; and

(ii)expert evidence in two expert fields.

(6) The multi-track is the normal track for any claim for which the small claims track or the fast track is not the normal track.

Textual Amendments

F66Sum in rule 26.6(1)(a)(i) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/262), rules 2, 8(f)(i) (with rule 22)

F71Sum in rule 26.6(3) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/262), rules 2, 8(f)(ii) (with rule 22)

Commencement Information

I6Rule 26.6 in force at 26.4.1999, see Signature

General rule for allocationE+W

26.7—(1) In considering whether to allocate a claim to the normal track for that claim under rule 26.6, the court will have regard to the matters mentioned in rule 26.8(1).

(2) The court will allocate a claim which has no financial value to the track which it considers most suitable having regard to the matters mentioned in rule 26.8(1).

F73(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) The court will not allocate a claim to the small claims track, if it includes a claim by a tenant of residential premises against his landlord for a remedy in respect of harassment or unlawful eviction.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I7Rule 26.7 in force at 26.4.1999, see Signature

Matters relevant to allocation to a trackE+W

26.8—(1) When deciding the track for a claim, the matters to which the court shall have regard include—

(a)the financial value, if any, of the claim;

(b)the nature of the remedy sought;

(c)the likely complexity of the facts, law or evidence;

(d)the number of parties or likely parties;

(e)the value of any counterclaim or other Part 20 claim and the complexity of any matters relating to it;

(f)the amount of oral evidence which may be required;

(g)the importance of the claim to persons who are not parties to the proceedings;

(h)the views expressed by the parties; and

(i)the circumstances of the parties.

(2) It is for the court to assess the financial value of a claim and in doing so it will disregard—

(a)any amount not in dispute;

(b)any claim for interest;

(c)costs; and

(d)any contributory negligence.

(3) Where—

(a)two or more claimants have started a claim against the same defendant using the same claim form; and

(b)each claimant has a claim against the defendant separate from the other claimants,

the court will consider the claim of each claimant separately when it assesses financial value under paragraph (1).

Commencement Information

I8Rule 26.8 in force at 26.4.1999, see Signature

Notice of allocationE+W

26.9—(1) When it has allocated a claim to a track, the court will serve notice of allocation on every party.

F74(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(Rule 26.5 provides that the court may, before allocating proceedings, order a party to provide further information about [F75their] case)

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I9Rule 26.9 in force at 26.4.1999, see Signature

Re-allocationE+W

26.10  The court may subsequently re-allocate a claim to a different track.

Commencement Information

I10Rule 26.10 in force at 26.4.1999, see Signature

[F76Trial with a juryE+W

26.11—(1) An application for a claim, other than a claim for libel and slander, to be tried with a jury must be made within 28 days of service of the defence.

(2) A claim for libel or slander must be tried by Judge alone, unless at the first case management conference a party applies for trial with a jury and the court makes an order to that effect.]

Textual Amendments