PART 7HOW TO START PROCEEDINGS—THE CLAIM FORM
Where to start proceedings | Rule 7.1 |
How to start proceedings | Rule 7.2 |
Right to use one claim form to start two or more claims | Rule 7.3 |
Particulars of claim | Rule 7.4 |
Service of a claim form | Rule 7.5 |
Extension of time for serving a claim form | Rule 7.6 |
Application by defendant for service of a claim form | Rule 7.7 |
Form for defence etc. must be served with particulars of claim | Rule 7.8 |
Fixed date and other claims | Rule 7.9 |
Production Centre for claims | Rule 7.10 |
Where to start proceedings7.1
Restrictions on where proceedings may be started are set out in F1the relevant practice directions supplementing this Part.
How to start proceedings7.2
(1)
Proceedings are started when the court issues a claim form at the request of the claimant.
(2)
A claim form is issued on the date entered on the form by the court.
(A person who seeks a remedy from the court before proceedings are started or in relation to proceedings which are taking place, or will take place, in another jurisdiction must make an application under Part 23)
(Part 16 sets out what the claim form must include)
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F2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F37.2A
F4Practice Direction 7A makes provision for procedures to be followed when claims are brought by or against a partnership within the jurisdiction.
Right to use one claim form to start two or more claims7.3
A claimant may use a single claim form to start all claims which can be conveniently disposed of in the same proceedings.
Particulars of claim7.4
(1)
Particulars of claim must—
(a)
be contained in or served with the claim form; or
(b)
subject to paragraph (2) be served on the defendant by the claimant within 14 days after service of the claim form.
(2)
Particulars of claim must be served on the defendant no later than the latest time for serving a claim form.
(Rule 7.5 sets out the latest time for serving a claim form)
F5(3)
Where the claimant serves particulars of claim separately from the claim form in accordance with paragraph (1)(b), the claimant must, within 7 days of service on the defendant, file a copy of the particulars except where—
(a)
paragraph 5.2(4) of F6Practice Direction 7C applies; or
(b)
paragraph 6.4 of F7Practice Direction 7E applies.
(Part 16 sets out what the particulars of claim must include)
(Part 22 requires particulars of claim to be verified by a statement of truth)
F8...
F9Service of a claim form7.5
(1)
Where the claim form is served within the jurisdiction, the claimant must complete the step required by the following table in relation to the particular method of service chosen, before 12.00 midnight on the calendar day four months after the date of issue of the claim form.
Method of service | Step required |
|---|---|
First class post, document exchange or other service which provides for delivery on the next business day | Posting, leaving with, delivering to or collection by the relevant service provider |
Delivery of the document to or leaving it at the relevant place | Delivering to or leaving the document at the relevant place |
Personal service under rule 6.5 | Completing the relevant step required by rule 6.5(3) |
Fax | Completing the transmission of the fax |
Other electronic method | Sending the e-mail or other electronic transmission |
(2)
Where the claim form is to be served out of the jurisdiction, the claim form must be served in accordance with Section IV of Part 6 within 6 months of the date of issue.
F10Extension of time for serving a claim form7.6
(1)
The claimant may apply for an order extending the period for compliance with rule 7.5.
(2)
The general rule is that an application to extend the time for compliance with rule 7.5 must be made—
(a)
within the period specified by rule 7.5; or
(b)
where an order has been made under this rule, within the period for service specified by that order.
(3)
If the claimant applies for an order to extend the time for compliance after the end of the period specified by rule 7.5 or by an order made under this rule, the court may make such an order only if—
(a)
the court has failed to serve the claim form; or
(b)
the claimant has taken all reasonable steps to comply with rule 7.5 but has been unable to do so; and
(c)
in either case, the claimant has acted promptly in making the application.
(4)
An application for an order extending the time for compliance with rule 7.5—
(a)
must be supported by evidence; and
(b)
may be made without notice.
Application by defendant for service of claim form7.7
(1)
Where a claim form has been issued against a defendant, but has not yet been served on him, the defendant may serve a notice on the claimant requiring him to serve the claim form or discontinue the claim within a period specified in the notice.
(2)
The period specified in a notice served under paragraph (1) must be at least 14 days after service of the notice.
(3)
If the claimant fails to comply with the notice, the court may, on the application of the defendant—
(a)
dismiss the claim; or
(b)
make any other order it thinks just.
Form for defence etc. must be served with particulars of claim7.8
(1)
When particulars of claim are served on a defendant, whether they are contained in the claim form, served with it or served subsequently, they must be accompanied by—
(a)
a form for defending the claim;
(b)
a form for admitting the claim; and
(c)
a form for acknowledging service.
(2)
Where the claimant is using the procedure set out in Part 8 (alternative procedure for claims)—
(a)
paragraph (1) does not apply; and
(b)
a form for acknowledging service must accompany the claim form.
Fixed date and other claims7.9
A practice direction—
(a)
may set out the circumstances in which the court may give a fixed date for a hearing when it issues a claim;
(b)
may list claims in respect of which there is a specific claim form for use and set out the claim form in question; and
(c)
may disapply or modify these Rules as appropriate in relation to the claims referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b).
Production Centre for claims7.10
(1)
There shall be a Production Centre for the issue of claim forms and other related matters.
(2)
F11Practice Direction 7C makes provision for—
(a)
which claimants may use the Production Centre;
(b)
the type of claims which the Production Centre may issue;
(c)
the functions which are to be discharged by the Production Centre;
(d)
the place where the Production Centre is to be located; and
(e)
other related matters.
(3)
F12Practice Direction 7C may disapply or modify these Rules as appropriate in relation to claims issued by the Production Centre.
F13Human Rights7.11
(1)
A claim under section 7(1)(a) of the Human Rights Act 1998 in respect of a judicial act may be brought only in the High Court.
(2)
Any other claim under section 7(1)(a) of that Act may be brought in any court.
F14Electronic issue of claims7.12.
(1)
A practice direction may make provision for a claimant to start a claim by requesting the issue of a claim form electronically.
(2)
The practice direction may, in particular—
(a)
specify—
(i)
the types of claim which may be issued electronically; and
(ii)
the conditions which a claim must meet before it may be issued electronically;
(b)
specify—
(i)
the court where the claim will be issued; and
(ii)
the circumstances in which the claim will be transferred to another court;
(c)
provide for the filing of other documents electronically where a claim has been started electronically;
(d)
specify the requirements that must be fulfilled for any document filed electronically; and
(e)
provide how a fee payable on the filing of any document is to be paid where that document is filed electronically.
(3)
The practice direction may disapply or modify these Rules as appropriate in relation to claims started electronically.
F15(Practice Direction 5C deals with electronic issue of claims started or continued under the Electronic Working scheme.)