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Point in time view as at 11/01/2015.

Changes to legislation:

The Civil Procedure Rules 1998, PART 36 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 08 February 2025. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

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[F1PART 36E+WOFFERS TO SETTLE

Textual Amendments

Contents of this Part

[F2Scope of this Part Rule 36.A1
Section I – Part 36 offers to settle
Scope of this SectionRule 36.1]
Form and content of a Part 36 offerRule 36.2
Part 36 offers – general provisionsRule 36.3
Part 36 offers – defendants’ offersRule 36.4
Personal injury claims for future pecuniary lossRule 36.5
Offer to settle a claim for provisional damagesRule 36.6
Time when a Part 36 offer is made and acceptedRule 36.7
Clarification of a Part 36 offerRule 36.8
Acceptance of a Part 36 offerRule 36.9
Costs consequences of acceptance of a Part 36 offerRule 36.10
[F3Costs consequences of acceptance of a Part 36 offer where Section IIIA of Part 45 applies Rule 36.10A]
The effect of acceptance of a Part 36 offerRule 36.11
Acceptance of a Part 36 offer made by one or more, but not all, defendantsRule 36.12
Restriction on disclosure of a Part 36 offerRule 36.13
Costs consequences following judgmentRule 36.14
[F4Costs consequences following judgment where Section IIIA of Part 45 applies Rule 36.14A]
[F5Deduction of benefits and lump sum payments]Rule 36.15
[F6Section II – RTA Protocol [F7AND EL/PL PROTOCOL] offers to settle
Scope of this SectionRule 36.16
Form and content of [F8a] Protocol offerRule 36.17
Time when [F9a] Protocol offer is madeRule 36.18
General provisionsRule 36.19
Restrictions on disclosure of [F10a] Protocol offerRule 36.20
Costs consequences following judgmentRule 36.21
Deduction of benefitsRule 36.22]

Textual Amendments

F2Words in Pt. 36 Table of Contents substituted (30.4.2010) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2010 (S.I. 2010/621), rules 1(2), 6(a)(i)

F3Words in Pt. 36 Table of Contents inserted (31.7.2013) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.6) Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/1695), rules 2, 6(1)(a) (with rule 10)

F4Words in Pt. 36 Table of Contents inserted (31.7.2013) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.6) Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/1695), rules 2, 6(1)(b) (with rule 10)

F5Words in Pt. 36 Table of Contents substituted (1.10.2008) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2008 (S.I. 2008/2178), rules 1(2), 17(a)

F6Words in Pt. 36 Table of Contents inserted (30.4.2010) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2010 (S.I. 2010/621), rules 1(2), 6(a)(ii)

F7Words in Pt. 36 Table of Contents inserted (31.7.2013) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.6) Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/1695), rules 2, 6(1)(c) (with rule 10)

F8Word in Pt. 36 Table of Contents substituted (31.7.2013) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.6) Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/1695), rules 2, 6(1)(d)(i) (with rule 10)

F9Word in Pt. 36 Table of Contents substituted (31.7.2013) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.6) Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/1695), rules 2, 6(1)(d)(ii) (with rule 10)

F10Word in Pt. 36 Table of Contents substituted (31.7.2013) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.6) Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/1695), rules 2, 6(1)(d)(iii) (with rule 10)

[F11Scope of this PartE+W

36.A1.—(1) This Part contains rules about—

(a)offers to settle; and

(b)the consequences where an offer to settle is made in accordance with this Part.

(2) Section I of this Part contains rules about offers to settle other than where Section II applies.

(3) Section II of this Part contains rules about offers to settle where the parties have followed the Pre-Action Protocol for Low Value Personal Injury Claims in Road Traffic Accidents (“the RTA Protocol”) [F12or the Pre-action Protocol for Low Value Personal Injury (Employers’ Liability and Public Liability) Claims (‘the EL/PL Protocol’)] and have started proceedings under Part 8 in accordance with Practice Direction 8B.

Textual Amendments

F11Rule 36.A1, Section 1 heading and rule 36.1(1) and heading substituted for rule 36.1(1) and heading (30.4.2010) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2010 (S.I. 2010/621), rules 1(2), 6(b)

SECTION IE+WPART 36 OFFERS TO SETTLE

Scope of this SectionE+W

36.1—(1) This Section does not apply to an offer to settle to which Section II of this Part applies.]

(2) Nothing in this [F13Section] prevents a party making an offer to settle in whatever way he chooses, but if the offer is not made in accordance with rule 36.2, it will not have the consequences specified in rules 36.10, 36.11 and 36.14.

(Rule [F1444.2] requires the court to consider an offer to settle that does not have the costs consequences set out in this [F15Section] in deciding what order to make about costs)

Textual Amendments

Form and content of a Part 36 offerE+W

36.2—(1) An offer to settle which is made in accordance with this rule is called a Part 36 offer.

(2) A Part 36 offer must—

(a)be in writing;

(b)state on its face that it is intended to have the consequences of [F16Section I of] Part 36;

(c)specify a period of not less than 21 days within which the defendant will be liable for the claimant’s costs in accordance with rule 36.10 if the offer is accepted;

(d)state whether it relates to the whole of the claim or to part of it or to an issue that arises in it and if so to which part or issue; and

(e)state whether it takes into account any counterclaim.

(Rule 36.7 makes provision for when a Part 36 offer is made)

(3) Rule 36.2(2)(c) does not apply if the offer is made less than 21 days before the start of the trial.

(4) In appropriate cases, a Part 36 offer must contain such further information as is required by rule 36.5 (Personal injury claims for future pecuniary loss), rule 36.6 (Offer to settle a claim for provisional damages), and rule 36.15 (Deduction of benefits).

(5) An offeror may make a Part 36 offer solely in relation to liability.

Textual Amendments

Part 36 offers – general provisionsE+W

36.3—(1) In this Part—

(a)the party who makes an offer is the ‘offeror’;

(b)the party to whom an offer is made is the ‘offeree’; and

(c)‘the relevant period’ means—

(i)in the case of an offer made not less than 21 days before trial, the period stated under rule 36.2(2)(c) or such longer period as the parties agree;

(ii)otherwise, the period up to end of the trial or such other period as the court has determined.

(2) A Part 36 offer—

(a)may be made at any time, including before the commencement of proceedings; and

(b)may be made in appeal proceedings.

(3) A Part 36 offer which offers to pay or offers to accept a sum of money will be treated as inclusive of all interest until—

(a)the date on which the period stated under rule 36.2(2)(c) expires; or

(b)if rule 36.2(3) applies, a date 21 days after the date the offer was made.

(4) A Part 36 offer shall have the consequences set out [F17in this Section] only in relation to the costs of the proceedings in respect of which it is made, and not in relation to the costs of any appeal from the final decision in those proceedings.

(5) Before expiry of the relevant period, a Part 36 offer may be withdrawn or its terms changed to be less advantageous to the offeree, only if the court gives permission.

(6) After expiry of the relevant period and provided that the offeree has not previously served notice of acceptance, the offeror may withdraw the offer or change its terms to be less advantageous to the offeree without the permission of the court.

(7) The offeror does so by serving written notice of the withdrawal or change of terms on the offeree.

(Rule 36.14(6) deals with the costs consequences following judgment of an offer that is withdrawn)

Textual Amendments

Part 36 offers – defendants’ offersE+W

36.4—(1) Subject to rule 36.5(3) and rule 36.6(1), a Part 36 offer by a defendant to pay a sum of money in settlement of a claim must be an offer to pay a single sum of money.

(2) But, an offer that includes an offer to pay all or part of the sum, if accepted, at a date later than 14 days following the date of acceptance will not be treated as a Part 36 offer unless the offeree accepts the offer.

Personal injury claims for future pecuniary lossE+W

36.5—(1) This rule applies to a claim for damages for personal injury which is or includes a claim for future pecuniary loss.

(2) An offer to settle such a claim will not have the consequences set out in rules 36.10, 36.11 and 36.14 unless it is made by way of a Part 36 offer under this rule.

(3) A Part 36 offer to which this rule applies may contain an offer to pay, or an offer to accept—

(a)the whole or part of the damages for future pecuniary loss in the form of—

(i)a lump sum; or

(ii)periodical payments; or

(iii)both a lump sum and periodical payments;

(b)the whole or part of any other damages in the form of a lump sum.

(4) A Part 36 offer to which this rule applies—

(a)must state the amount of any offer to pay the whole or part of any damages in the form of a lump sum;

(b)may state—

(i)what part of the lump sum, if any, relates to damages for future pecuniary loss; and

(ii)what part relates to other damages to be accepted in the form of a lump sum;

(c)must state what part of the offer relates to damages for future pecuniary loss to be paid or accepted in the form of periodical payments and must specify—

(i)the amount and duration of the periodical payments;

(ii)the amount of any payments for substantial capital purchases and when they are to be made; and

(iii)that each amount is to vary by reference to the retail prices index (or to some other named index, or that it is not to vary by reference to any index); and

(d)must state either that any damages which take the form of periodical payments will be funded in a way which ensures that the continuity of payment is reasonably secure in accordance with section 2(4) of the Damages Act 1996 or how such damages are to be paid and how the continuity of their payment is to be secured.

(5) Rule 36.4 applies to the extent that a Part 36 offer by a defendant under this rule includes an offer to pay all or part of any damages in the form of a lump sum.

(6) Where the offeror makes a Part 36 offer to which this rule applies and which offers to pay or to accept damages in the form of both a lump sum and periodical payments, the offeree may only give notice of acceptance of the offer as a whole.

(7) If the offeree accepts a Part 36 offer which includes payment of any part of the damages in the form of periodical payments, the claimant must, within 7 days of the date of acceptance, apply to the court for an order for an award of damages in the form of periodical payments under rule 41.8.

([F18Practice Direction 41B] contains information about periodical payments under the Damages Act 1996)

Textual Amendments

Offer to settle a claim for provisional damagesE+W

36.6—(1) An offeror may make a Part 36 offer in respect of a claim which includes a claim for provisional damages.

(2) Where he does so, the Part 36 offer must specify whether or not the offeror is proposing that the settlement shall include an award of provisional damages.

(3) Where the offeror is offering to agree to the making of an award of provisional damages the Part 36 offer must also state—

(a)that the sum offered is in satisfaction of the claim for damages on the assumption that the injured person will not develop the disease or suffer the type of deterioration specified in the offer;

(b)that the offer is subject to the condition that the claimant must make any claim for further damages within a limited period; and

(c)what that period is.

(4) Rule 36.4 applies to the extent that a Part 36 offer by a defendant includes an offer to agree to the making of an award of provisional damages.

(5) If the offeree accepts the Part 36 offer, the claimant must, within 7 days of the date of acceptance, apply to the court for an order for an award of provisional damages under rule 41.2.

Time when a Part 36 offer is madeE+W

36.7—(1) A Part 36 offer is made when it is served on the offeree.

(2) A change in the terms of a Part 36 offer will be effective when notice of the change is served on the offeree.

(Rule 36.3 makes provision about when permission is required to change the terms of an offer to make it less advantageous to the offeree)

Clarification of a Part 36 offerE+W

36.8—(1) The offeree may, within 7 days of a Part 36 offer being made, request the offeror to clarify the offer.

(2) If the offeror does not give the clarification requested under paragraph (1) within 7 days of receiving the request, the offeree may, unless the trial has started, apply for an order that he does so.

(Part 23 contains provisions about making an application to the court)

(3) If the court makes an order under paragraph (2), it must specify the date when the Part 36 offer is to be treated as having been made.

Acceptance of a Part 36 offerE+W

36.9—(1) A Part 36 offer is accepted by serving written notice of the acceptance on the offeror.

(2) Subject to rule 36.9(3), a Part 36 offer may be accepted at any time (whether or not the offeree has subsequently made a different offer) unless the offeror serves notice of withdrawal on the offeree.

[F19(Rule 21.10 deals with compromise etc. by or on behalf of a child or protected party.)]

(3) The court’s permission is required to accept a Part 36 offer where—

(a)rule 36.12(4) applies;

(b)rule 36.15(3)(b) applies, the relevant period has expired and further deductible [F20amounts] have been paid to the claimant since the date of the offer;

(c)an apportionment is required under rule 41.3A; or

(d)the trial has started.

(Rule 36.12 deals with offers by some but not all of multiple defendants)

[F21(Rule 36.15 defines “deductible amounts”.)]

(Rule 41.3A requires an apportionment in proceedings under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 and Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1934)

(4) Where the court gives permission under paragraph (3), unless all the parties have agreed costs, the court will make an order dealing with costs, and may order that the costs consequences set out in rule 36.10 will apply.

(5) Unless the parties agree, a Part 36 offer may not be accepted after the end of the trial but before judgment is handed down.

Textual Amendments

Costs consequences of acceptance of a Part 36 offerE+W

36.10—(1) [F22Subject to rule 36.10A and to paragraphs (2) and (4)(a) of this rule], where a Part 36 offer is accepted within the relevant period the claimant will be entitled to [F23the] costs of the proceedings up to the date on which notice of acceptance was served on the offeror.

(2) Where—

(a)a defendant’s Part 36 offer relates to part only of the claim; and

(b)at the time of serving notice of acceptance within the relevant period the claimant abandons the balance of the claim,

the claimant will be entitled to [F24the] costs of the proceedings up to the date of serving notice of acceptance unless the court orders otherwise.

(3) Costs under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this rule will be assessed on the standard basis if the amount of costs is not agreed.

(Rule [F2544.3(2)] explains the standard basis for assessment of costs)

[F26(Rule [F2744.9] contains provisions about when a costs order is deemed to have been made and applying for an order under section 194(3) of the Legal Services Act 2007.)]

(4) Where—

(a)a Part 36 offer that was made less than 21 days before the start of trial is accepted; or

(b)a Part 36 offer is accepted after expiry of the relevant period,

if the parties do not agree the liability for costs, the court will make an order as to costs.

(5) Where paragraph (4)(b) applies, unless the court orders otherwise—

(a)the claimant will be entitled to [F28the] costs of the proceedings up to the date on which the relevant period expired; and

(b)the offeree will be liable for the offeror’s costs for the period from the date of expiry of the relevant period to the date of acceptance.

(6) The claimant’s costs include any costs incurred in dealing with the defendant’s counterclaim if the Part 36 offer states that it takes into account the counterclaim.

Textual Amendments

[F29Costs consequences of acceptance of a Part 36 offer where Section IIIA of Part 45 appliesE+W

36.10A.—(1) This rule applies where a claim no longer continues under the RTA or EL/PL Protocol pursuant to rule 45.29A(1).

(2) Where a Part 36 offer is accepted within the relevant period, the claimant will be entitled to the fixed costs in Table 6B, Table 6C or Table 6D in Section IIIA of Part 45 for the stage applicable at the date on which notice of acceptance was served on the offeror.

(3) Where—

(a)a defendant’s Part 36 offer relates to part only of the claim; and

(b)at the time of serving notice of acceptance within the relevant period the claimant abandons the balance of the claim,

the claimant will be entitled to the fixed costs in paragraph (2).

(4) Subject to [F30paragraphs (5), (5A) and (5B)], where a defendant’s Part 36 offer is accepted after the relevant period—

(a)the claimant will be entitled to the fixed costs in Table 6B, Table 6C or Table 6D in Section IIIA of Part 45 for the stage applicable at the date on which the relevant period expired; and

(b)the claimant will be liable for the defendant’s costs for the period from the date of expiry of the relevant period to the date of acceptance.

(5) [F31Subject to paragraphs (5A) and (5B), where] the claimant accepts the defendant’s Protocol offer after the date on which the claim leaves the Protocol—

(a)the claimant will be entitled to the applicable Stage 1 and Stage 2 fixed costs in Table 6 or Table 6A in Section III of Part 45; and

(b)the claimant will be liable for the defendant’s costs from the date on which the Protocol offer is deemed to be made to the date of acceptance.

[F32(5A) In a soft tissue injury claim, if the defendant makes a Part 36 offer before the defendant receives a fixed cost medical report, paragraphs (4) and (5) will only have effect if the claimant accepts the offer more than 21 days after the defendant received the report.

(5B) In this rule, ‘fixed cost medical report’ and ‘soft tissue injury claim’ have the same meaning as in paragraph 1.1(10A) and (16A), respectively, of the RTA Protocol.]

(6) For the purposes of this rule a defendant’s Protocol offer is either—

(a)defined in accordance with rules 36.17 and 36.18; or

(b)if the claim leaves the Protocol before the Court Proceedings Pack Form is sent to the defendant—

(i)the last offer made by the defendant before the claim leaves the Protocol; and

(ii)deemed to be made on the first business day after the claim leaves the Protocol.

(7) A reference to the ‘Court Proceedings Pack Form’ is a reference to the form used in the Protocol.

(8) Fixed costs shall be calculated by reference to the amount of the offer which is accepted.

(9) Where the parties do not agree the liability for costs, the court will make an order as to costs.

(10) Where the court makes an order for costs in favour of the defendant—

(a)the court will have regard to; and

(b)the amount of costs ordered shall not exceed,

the fixed costs in Table 6B, Table 6C or Table 6D in Section IIIA of Part 45 applicable at the date of acceptance, less the fixed costs to which the claimant is entitled under paragraph (4) or (5).

(11) The parties are entitled to disbursements allowed in accordance with rule 45.29I incurred in any period for which costs are payable to them.]

Textual Amendments

The effect of acceptance of a Part 36 offerE+W

36.11—(1) If a Part 36 offer is accepted, the claim will be stayed (GL).

(2) In the case of acceptance of a Part 36 offer which relates to the whole claim the stay (GL) will be upon the terms of the offer.

(3) If a Part 36 offer which relates to part only of the claim is accepted—

(a)the claim will be stayed (GL) as to that part upon the terms of the offer; and

(b)subject to rule 36.10(2), unless the parties have agreed costs, the liability for costs shall be decided by the court.

(4) If the approval of the court is required before a settlement can be binding, any stay (GL) which would otherwise arise on the acceptance of a Part 36 offer will take effect only when that approval has been given.

(5) Any stay (GL) arising under this rule will not affect the power of the court—

(a)to enforce the terms of a Part 36 offer;

(b)to deal with any question of costs (including interest on costs) relating to the proceedings.

(6) Unless the parties agree otherwise in writing, where a Part 36 offer by a defendant that is or that includes an offer to pay a single sum of money is accepted, that sum must be paid to the offeree within 14 days of the date of—

(a)acceptance; or

(b)the order when the court makes an order under rule 41.2 (order for an award of provisional damages) or rule 41.8 (order for an award of periodical payments), unless the court orders otherwise.

(7) If the accepted sum is not paid within 14 days or such other period as has been agreed the offeree may enter judgment for the unpaid sum.

(8) Where—

(a)a Part 36 offer (or part of a Part 36 offer) which is not an offer to which paragraph (6) applies is accepted; and

(b)a party alleges that the other party has not honoured the terms of the offer,

that party may apply to enforce the terms of the offer without the need for a new claim.

Acceptance of a Part 36 offer made by one or more, but not all, defendantsE+W

36.12—(1) This rule applies where the claimant wishes to accept a Part 36 offer made by one or more, but not all, of a number of defendants.

(2) If the defendants are sued jointly or in the alternative, the claimant may accept the offer if—

(a)he discontinues his claim against those defendants who have not made the offer; and

(b)those defendants give written consent to the acceptance of the offer.

(3) If the claimant alleges that the defendants have a several liability (GL) to him, the claimant may—

(a)accept the offer; and

(b)continue with his claims against the other defendants if he is entitled to do so.

(4) In all other cases the claimant must apply to the court for an order permitting him to accept the Part 36 offer.

Restriction on disclosure of a Part 36 offerE+W

36.13—(1) A Part 36 offer will be treated as ‘without prejudice (GL) except as to costs’.

(2) The fact that a Part 36 offer has been made must not be communicated to the trial judge or to the judge (if any) allocated in advance to conduct the trial until the case has been decided.

(3) Paragraph (2) does not apply—

(a)where the defence of tender before claim (GL) has been raised;

(b)where the proceedings have been stayed (GL) under rule 36.11 following acceptance of a Part 36 offer; or

(c)where the offeror and the offeree agree in writing that it should not apply.

Costs consequences following judgmentE+W

36.14—(1) [F33Subject to rule 36.14A, this] rule applies where upon judgment being entered—

(a)a claimant fails to obtain a judgment more advantageous than a defendant’s Part 36 offer; or

(b)judgment against the defendant is at least as advantageous to the claimant as the proposals contained in a claimant’s Part 36 offer.

[F34(1A) For the purposes of paragraph (1), in relation to any money claim or money element of a claim, “more advantageous” means better in money terms by any amount, however small, and “at least as advantageous” shall be construed accordingly.]

(2) Subject to [F35paragraphs (6) and (7)], where rule 36.14(1)(a) applies, the court will, unless it considers it unjust to do so, order that the defendant is entitled to—

(a)F36...costs from the date on which the relevant period expired; and

(b)interest on those costs.

(3) Subject to paragraph (6), where rule 36.14(1)(b) applies, the court will, unless it considers it unjust to do so, order that the claimant is entitled to—

(a)interest on the whole or part of any sum of money (excluding interest) awarded at a rate not exceeding 10% above base rate (GL) for some or all of the period starting with the date on which the relevant period expired;

(b)F37... costs on the indemnity basis from the date on which the relevant period expired; F38...

(c)interest on those costs at a rate not exceeding 10% above base rate (GL) [F39; and]

[F40(d)an additional amount, which shall not exceed £75,000, calculated by applying the prescribed percentage set out below to an amount which is—

(i)where the claim is or includes a money claim, the sum awarded to the claimant by the court; or

(ii)where the claim is only a non-monetary claim, the sum awarded to the claimant by the court in respect of costs—

Amount awarded by the court

Prescribed percentage

up to £500,00010% of the amount awarded;
above £500,000 up to £1,000,00010% of the first £500,000 and 5% of any amount above that figure]

(4) In considering whether it would be unjust to make the orders referred to in paragraphs (2) and (3) above, the court will take into account all the circumstances of the case including—

(a)the terms of any Part 36 offer;

(b)the stage in the proceedings when any Part 36 offer was made, including in particular how long before the trial started the offer was made;

(c)the information available to the parties at the time when the Part 36 offer was made; and

(d)the conduct of the parties with regard to the giving or refusing to give information for the purposes of enabling the offer to be made or evaluated.

(5) Where the court awards interest under this rule and also awards interest on the same sum and for the same period under any other power, the total rate of interest may not exceed 10% above base rate (GL).

(6) Paragraphs (2) and (3) of this rule do not apply to a Part 36 offer—

(a)that has been withdrawn;

(b)that has been changed so that its terms are less advantageous to the offeree, and the offeree has beaten the less advantageous offer;

(c)made less than 21 days before trial, unless the court has abridged the relevant period.

[F41(7) Paragraph (2) of this rule does not apply to a soft tissue injury claim to which rule 36.14A applies.]

(Rule [F4244.2] requires the court to consider an offer to settle that does not have the costs consequences set out in this [F43Section] in deciding what order to make about costs)

Textual Amendments

[F44Costs consequences following judgment where Section IIIA of Part 45 appliesE+W

36.14A.—(1) Where a claim no longer continues under the RTA or EL/PL Protocol pursuant to rule 45.29A(1), rule 36.14 applies with the following modifications.

(2) Subject to [F45paragraphs (3), (3A) and (3B)], where an order for costs is made pursuant to rule 36.14(2)—

(a)the claimant will be entitled to the fixed costs in Table 6B, 6C or 6D in Section IIIA of Part 45 for the stage applicable at the date on which the relevant period expired; and

(b)the claimant will be liable for the defendant’s costs from the date on which the relevant period expired to the date of judgment.

(3) [F46Subject to paragraphs (3A) and (3B), where] the claimant fails to obtain a judgment more advantageous than the defendant’s Protocol offer—

(a)the claimant will be entitled to the applicable Stage 1 and Stage 2 fixed costs in Table 6 or Table 6A in Section III of Part 45; and

(b)the claimant will be liable for the defendant’s costs from the date on which the Protocol offer is deemed to be made to the date of judgment; and

(c)in this rule, the amount of the judgment is less than the Protocol offer where the judgment is less than the offer once deductible amounts identified in the judgment are deducted.

(“Deductible amount” is defined in rule 36.15(1)(d).)

[F47(3A) In a soft tissue injury claim, if the defendant makes a Part 36 offer or Protocol offer before the defendant receives a fixed cost medical report, paragraphs (2) and (3) will only have effect in respect of costs incurred by either party more than 21 days after the defendant received the report.

(3B) In this rule, ‘fixed cost medical report’ and ‘soft tissue injury claim’ have the same meaning as in paragraph 1.1(10A) and (16A), respectively, of the RTA Protocol.]

(4) For the purposes of this rule a defendant’s Protocol offer is either—

(a)defined in accordance with rules 36.17 and 36.18; or

(b)if the claim leaves the Protocol before the Court Proceedings Pack Form is sent to the defendant—

(i)the last offer made by the defendant before the claim leaves the Protocol; and

(ii)deemed to be made on the first business day after the claim leaves the Protocol.

(5) A reference to the ‘Court Proceedings Pack Form’ is a reference to the form used in the Protocol.

(6) Fixed costs shall be calculated by reference to the amount which is awarded.

(7) Where the court makes an order for costs in favour of the defendant—

(a)the court will have regard to; and

(b)the amount of costs ordered shall not exceed,

the fixed costs in Table 6B, 6C or 6D in Section IIIA of Part 45 applicable at the date of judgment, less the fixed costs to which the claimant is entitled under paragraph (2) or (3).

(8) The parties are entitled to disbursements allowed in accordance with rule 45.29I incurred in any period for which costs are payable to them.]

Textual Amendments

[F48Deduction of benefits and lump sum paymentsE+W

36.15—(1) In this rule and rule 36.9—

(a)“the 1997 Act” means the Social Security (Recovery of Benefits) Act 1997;

(b)“the 2008 Regulations” means the Social Security (Recovery of Benefits)(Lump Sum Payments) Regulations 2008;

(c)“recoverable amount” means—

(i)“recoverable benefits” as defined in section 1(4)(c) of the 1997 Act; and

(ii)“recoverable lump sum payments” as defined in regulation 4 of the 2008 Regulations;

(d)“deductible amount” means—

(i)any benefits by the amount of which damages are to be reduced in accordance with section 8 of, and Schedule 2 to the 1997 Act (“deductible benefits”); and

(ii)any lump sum payment by the amount of which damages are to be reduced in accordance with regulation 12 of the 2008 Regulations (“deductible lump sum payments”); and

(e)“certificate”—

(i)in relation to recoverable benefits is construed in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Act; and

(ii)in relation to recoverable lump sum payments has the meaning given in section 29 of the 1997 Act as applied by regulation 2 of, and modified by Schedule 1 to the 2008 Regulations.

(2) This rule applies where a payment to a claimant following acceptance of a Part 36 offer would be a compensation payment as defined in section 1(4)(b) or 1A(5)(b) of the 1997 Act.]

(3) A defendant who makes a Part 36 offer should state either—

(a)that the offer is made without regard to any liability for recoverable [F49amounts]; or

(b)that it is intended to include any deductible [F50amounts].

(4) Where paragraph (3)(b) applies, paragraphs (5) to (9) of this rule will apply to the Part 36 offer.

(5) Before making the Part 36 offer, the offeror must apply for a certificate F51....

(6) Subject to paragraph (7), the Part 36 offer must state—

(a)the amount of gross compensation;

(b)the name and amount of any deductible [F52amount] by which [F53the] gross amount is reduced; and

(c)the net amount [F54of compensation].

[F55(7) If at the time the offeror makes the Part 36 offer, the offeror has applied for, but has not received a certificate, the offeror must clarify the offer by stating the matters referred to in paragraphs (6)(b) and (6)(c) not more than 7 days after receipt of the certificate.]

(8) For the purposes of rule 36.14(1)(a), a claimant fails to recover more than any sum offered (including a lump sum offered under rule 36.5) if [F56the claimant] fails upon judgment being entered to recover a sum, once deductible [F57amounts] identified in the judgment have been deducted, greater than the net amount stated under paragraph (6)(c).

[F58(Section 15(2) of the 1997 Act provides that the court must specify the compensation payment attributable to each head of damage. Schedule 1 to the 2008 Regulations modifies section 15 of the 1997 Act in relation to lump sum payments and provides that the court must specify the compensation payment attributable to each or any dependant who has received a lump sum payment.)]

(9) Where—

(a)further deductible [F59amounts] have accrued since the Part 36 offer was made; and

(b)the court gives permission to accept the Part 36 offer,

the court may direct that the amount of the offer payable to the offeree shall be reduced by a sum equivalent to the deductible [F59amounts] paid to the claimant since the date of the offer.

(Rule 36.9(3)(b) states that permission is required to accept an offer where the relevant period has expired and further deductible [F59amounts] have been paid to the claimant)

Textual Amendments

[F60SECTION IIE+W RTA PROTOCOL [F61AND EL/PL PROTOCOL] OFFERS TO SETTLE

Textual Amendments

Scope of this SectionE+W

36.16.—(1) Where this Section applies Section I does not apply.

(2) This Section applies to an offer to settle where the parties have followed the RTA Protocol [F62or the EL/PL Protocol] and started proceedings under Part 8 in accordance with Practice Direction 8B (“the Stage 3 Procedure”).

(3) A reference to the “Court [F63Proceedings] Pack Form” is a reference to the form used in the F64... Protocol.

(4) Nothing in this Section prevents a party making an offer to settle in whatever way that party chooses, but if the offer is not made in accordance with this Section, it will not have any costs consequences.

Textual Amendments

Form and content of [F65a] Protocol offerE+W

36.17.—(1) An offer to settle which is made in accordance with this rule is called [F66a] Protocol offer.

(2) [F67A] Protocol offer must—

(a)be set out in the Court Proceedings Pack (Part B) Form; and

(b)contain the final total amount of the offer from both parties.

Textual Amendments

Time when [F68a] Protocol offer is madeE+W

36.18.  The F69... Protocol offer is deemed to be made on the first business day after the Court Proceedings Pack (Part A and Part B) Form is sent to the defendant.

Textual Amendments

General provisionsE+W

36.19.  [F70A] Protocol offer—

(a)is treated as exclusive of all interest; and

(b)has the consequences set out in this Section only in relation to the fixed costs of the Stage 3 Procedure as provided for in rule [F7145.18], and not in relation to the costs of any appeal from the final decision of those proceedings.

Textual Amendments

Restrictions on disclosure of [F72a] Protocol offerE+W

36.20.—(1) The amount of the F73... Protocol offer must not be communicated to the court until the claim is determined.

(2) Any other offer to settle must not be communicated to the court at all.

(3) Once the claim is determined, the court will examine the F73... Protocol offer.

Textual Amendments

Costs consequences following judgmentE+W

36.21.—(1) This rule applies where, on the determination by the court, the claimant obtains judgment against the defendant for an amount of damages that is—

(a)less than or equal to the amount of the defendant’s F74... Protocol offer;

(b)more than the defendant’s F74... Protocol offer but less than the claimant’s F74... Protocol offer; or

(c)equal to or more than the claimant’s F74... Protocol offer.

(2) Where paragraph (1)(a) applies, the court will order the claimant to pay—

(a)the fixed costs in rule [F7545.26]; and

(b)interest on those fixed costs from the first business day after the deemed date of the F74... Protocol offer under rule 36.18.

(3) Where paragraph (1)(b) applies, the court will order the defendant to pay the fixed costs in rule [F7645.20].

(4) Where paragraph (1)(c) applies, the court will order the defendant to pay—

(a)interest on the whole of the damages awarded at a rate not exceeding 10% above base rate for some or all of the period starting with the date specified in rule 36.18;

(b)the fixed costs in rule [F7745.20];F78...

(c)interest on those costs at a rate not exceeding 10% above base rate[F79; and]

[F80(d)an additional amount calculated in accordance with rule 36.14(3)(d).]

Textual Amendments

Deduction of benefitsE+W

36.22.  For the purposes of rule 36.21(1)(a) the amount of the judgment is less than the F81... Protocol offer where the judgment is less than that offer once deductible amounts identified in the judgment are deducted.

(‘Deductible amount’ is defined in rule 36.15(1)(d).)]]

Textual Amendments

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