The Civil Procedure Rules 1998

Particulars to be included in claim form E+W

Rule 3—(1) In the case of a claim form which begins civil proceedings against the Crown the contents of the claim form required by CPR rule 16.2 shall include a statement of the circumstances in which the Crown’s liability is alleged to have arisen and as to the government department and officers of the Crown concerned.

(2) If in civil proceedings against the Crown a defendant considers that the claim form does not contain a sufficient statement as required by this rule, he may, before the expiration of the time limited for acknowledging service of the claim form, apply to the claimant by notice for a further and better statement containing such information as may be specified in the notice.

(3) Where a defendant gives a notice under this rule, the time limited for acknowledging service of the claim form shall not expire until 4 days after the defendant has notified the claimant in writing that the defendant is satisfied with the statement supplied in compliance with the notice or 4 days after the Court has, on the application of the claimant in accordance with CPR Part 23, decided that no further information as to the matters referred to in paragraph (1) is reasonably required.

(3A) An application notice under paragraph (3) shall be served on the defendant not less than 7 days before the hearing.