13. Case Management, Sanctions, Striking Out, and Discontinuance Flashcards

1
Q

How is time calculated under the CPR?

A

Unless otherwise specified, a period of time expressed as a number of days shall be computed as clear days. Clear days means that in computing the number of days, the day on which the period begins and if the end is the period defined by reference to an event, the day on which that event occurs, are not included.
Unless otherwise specified, when the period specified for doing any act at the court office ends on a day on which the court offices closed, that act shall be in time under these rules if done on the next day on which the court office is open.

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2
Q

May the time limits be varied by parties?

A

Unless otherwise specified, the time specified by a rule of by the court for a person to do any act may be varied by the written agreement of the parties.

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3
Q

What powers of case management does the court have?

A

It may:
1. extend or shorten the time for compliance with any rule practise direction or court order
2. Adjourn or bring forward a hearing
3. Require that any proceedings in the High Court be hurt by a divisional court of the high court
4. Require a party or party’s legal representative to attend their court
5. Hold a hearing and receive evidenced by telephone or by using any other method of direct oral communication
6. Direct that part of any proceedings be dealt with as separate proceedings
7. Stay the whole or part of the proceedings of judgement either generally or until a specified data event
8. Consolidate proceedings
9. Try two or more claims on the same occasion
10. Direct a separate trial of any issue
11. Decide the order in which issues are to be tried
12. Excluded an issue from consideration next align dismiss or give judgement on a claim after a decision on the preliminary issue
13. Or any party to file an exchange a cost budget
14. Take any other step or make any other order for the purpose of managing the case and furthering the overriding objective, including an early neutral evaluation with the aim of helping the parties settle
When the court makes such an order it may make it subject to conditions including a condition to pay a sum of money into the court and specify the consequences of failure to comply with the order or a condition.

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4
Q

What must the court consider when exercising its case management powers?

A

Whether or not a party has complied with the practise direction and any relevant pre-action protocol
Whether a party is represented or not. Furthermore the must when drafting case management directions in the multi track intermediate track and fast track, take their starting point any relevant standard directions which can be found online and adapt them as appropriate. They must also adopt such procedure at any hearing as it considers appropriate to further the overriding objective. And at any hearing where the court is taking evidence this may include ascertaining from an unrepresented party the matters about which the witness may be able to give evidence or on which the witness ought to be cross examined and putting or causing to be put to the witness such questions as may appear to be proper.
The court may order a party to pay a sum of money into the court if that party has, without good reason, failed to comply with the rule, practise direction or a relevant pre-action protocol.
When exercising its power to order a party to pay a sum of money, it must have regard to the amount in dispute and the costs which the parties have incurred or which they may incur
Where a party pays money into the court following an order, the money shall be security for any sum payable by that party to any other party in the proceedings
The court can also revoke or vary these orders.
The court may contact the parties from time to time in order to monitor compliance and the parties must respond promptly to any such inquiries.

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5
Q

Can a Court make an order on its own initiative?

A

Except where provided otherwise, the court may exercise its powers on an application or on its own initiative.

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6
Q

What is the procedure when a court wishes to make an order on its own initiative?

A

It may give any person likely to be affected by the order an opportunity to make representations and where it does so must specify the time and the manner in which the representations are to be made.
Where the court proposes to make an order of its own initiative and to hold a hearing to decide whether to make the order, it must give each party likely to be affected by the order at least three days notice of the hearing.
The court may make an order on its own initiative without hearing the parties or giving them an opportunity to make representations. Where a court has done so on its own initiative without representations, a party affected by the order may apply to have it set aside, varied or stayed and the order must contain a statement of the right to make such an application.

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7
Q

What procedure should be followed when making an application to vary a case management order made on the court’s own initiative?

A

It must be made within such a period as may be specified by the court or if the court does not specify a period, not more than seven days after the day on which the order was served on the party making the application.
An application shall be considered at an oral hearing unless the court decides and states in an order that the application is totally without merit. If the court decides that an application is totally without merit an application may be made for reconsideration without an oral hearing
if the court on its own initiative strikes out a statement of case or dismisses an application and it considers the claim or application is totally without merit, the court order must record that fact and the court must at the same time consider whether it is appropriate to make a civil restraint order.

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8
Q

What is judgement without trial after striking out?

A

Where the court makes an order which includes a term that the statement of case of a party shall be struck out if the party does not comply with the order
AND
the party against whom the order was made does not comply with it,
a party MAY OBTAIN JUDGEMENT WITH COSTS by filing a request for judgement if the order referred to relates to the whole of the statement of case,
AND
Where the party wishing to obtain judgement is the claimant, the claim is for either:
1. A specified amount of money
2. An amount of money to be decided by the court
3. Delivery of goods where the claim form gives the defendant the alternative of paying their value
4. Or any combination of these remedies.

Where judgement is obtained under this rule in a case where the party is requesting the delivery of goods or the alternative of paying for their value, it will be judgement requiring the defendant to deliver the goods or pay the value of the goods as decided by the court.

The request must state that the right to enter judgement has arisen because the court order has not been complied with.

Where the order did not relate to the whole of the statement of case or the claim is not for one of the above, the application must be made under part 23.

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9
Q

Can the court order the rectification of a mistake in proceedings?

A

Yes.

Where there has been an error of procedure such as a failure to comply with a rule or practice direction, the error does not invalidate any step taken in the proceedings unless the court so orders and the court may make an order to remedy the error.

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10
Q

Where is the small claims track the normal track?

A

Value of the claim is not more than £10k and
The value of any claim for personal injuries is not more than:
1k for RTA,
except where the person is a child or protected party and the claimant was using a motor cycle, a pillion passenger or in a sidecar, using a wheelchair, using a bicycle, riding a horse, or is a pedestrian, the claimant is an undischarged bankrupt, or the claimant is a personal representative of a deceased person or the defendant’s vehicle was registered outside of the united kingdom, at which point it would be 1k
1.5k for any other PI claim.

any claim which includes a claim by a tenant of residential premises against a 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 value of any other claim for damages is not more than £1,000; and

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11
Q

What does damages for personal injuries mean in respect of the normal track to allocate to?

A

Damages claimed for PSLA as a result of personal injuries.

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12
Q

What claims is the fast track for?

A

Any claim in which the small claims is not the normal track which:
(a) is a claim for monetary for relief of not more than £25k
OR
(b) is or includes a claim or non-monetary relief and any associated monetary relief is not more than 25k
a. the claim meets the following criteria at (6)
b. and the court is satisfied that it is in the interests of justice to allocate it to the fast track
(6) only if it considers that:
(a) the trial is likely to last for no longer than one day and any oral expert evidence is likely to be limited to one expert per party in relation to any field and, overall, expert evidence in two fields.

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13
Q

What claims is the intermediate track for?

A

Any claim neither suitable for small or fast track;
The claim is for monetary relief of not more than £100k;
(a) The court considers, if the case is managed proportionately, the trial will not last longer than three days;
(b) Oral evidence is likely to be limited to two experts per party
(c) The claim may be justly and proportionately managed under section 4 of part 28
(d) There are no additional factors which would make the claim inappropriate for the intermediate track
(e) And the claim is brought by one claimant against either one or two defendants (or vice versa)
Where the claim includes non monetary relief, it shall not be allocated to the intermediate track unless the court considers it to be in the interests of justice to do so.
It also can allocate any claim to a track where it considers it to be in the interests of justice

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14
Q

What claims is the multi track for?

A

Any claim that does not fall into the other ones or is (and it MUST BE in this case) a claim for clinical negligence unless it is one which would be normally allocated to the intermediate track

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15
Q

What does CPR 26 provide for?

A

Allocation of defended cases to case management tracks, their assignment to complexity bands, and the four tracks:
Small claims track
Fast track
Intermediate track; and
The multi track.

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16
Q

When shall the court allocate the claim to a track/complexity band?

A

After all parties have filed their directions questionnaires, or when giving directions under 26.4(10) (when a party does not comply with the notice of proposed allocation).
If the court has stayed the proceedings to allow for the settlement of the case, it shall allocate the claim to a track and assign it to a complexity band at the end of the stay.
Before deciding, the court may order further information to be provided or hold an allocation hearing if necessary, or give any orders it feels appropriate if a party fails to give a directions questionnaire.

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17
Q

What shall the court consider when deciding whether to allocate a claim to the normal track?

A

(a) The financial value
(b) Nature of the remedy sought
(c) Likely complexity of the facts, law, or evidence,
(d) Number of parties or likely parties
(e) Value of any counterclaim and the complexity of the matters related to it
(f) The amount of oral evidence which may be required
(g) Importance of the claim to persons who are not parties to the proceedings
(h) The views expressed by the parties (The court will treat the views expressed by the parties as an important factor, but decisions on allocation and assignment are for the court, to be taken in the light of all the circumstances, and the court will not be bound by any agreement or common view of the parties.)
(i) The circumstances of the parties
It shall DISREGARD the below:
(a) Any amount not in dispute
(b) Any claim for interest
(c) Costs
(d) Any contributory negligence
(e) Where the claim is a claim for non monetary relief, any amount prescribed by CPR 45.45 and 45.50

Where two or more claimants have started a claim against the same defendant using the same claim form and each claimant has a separate claim, the court shall consider the claim of each separately when it assesses financial value

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18
Q

How shall a party be notified of allocation?

A

Via the court serving a notice on every party

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19
Q

Can a court reallocate or assign a claim to a different track or complexity band?

A

Yes, on an application or its own initiative.

However, it may only do so in respect of a claim allocated to the intermediate track where directions have been given in exceptional reasons to justify it.

The court may only reassign a claim to a different complexity band where there has been a change in circumstances since a direction was made assigning the claim there and the court decides the change justifies a reassignment.

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20
Q

How does a court decide whether an amount is in dispute?

A

By applying the following general principles:
(a) any amount for which the defendant does not admit liability is in dispute;

(b) any sum in respect of an item forming part of the claim for which judgment has been entered (for example a summary judgment) is not in dispute;

(c) any specific sum claimed as a distinct item and which the defendant admits they are liable to pay is not in dispute; and

(c) any sum offered by the defendant which has been accepted by the claimant in satisfaction of any item which forms a distinct part of the claim is not in dispute.

(10)Where the case involves more than one money claim (for example where there is an additional claim or there is more than one claimant each making separate claims) the court will not generally aggregate the claims. Instead, it will generally regard the largest of them as determining the financial value of the claims.

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21
Q

What happens where a claimant claims an amount that the court thinks will exceed what they might be reasonably expected to recover?

A

(6) Where the court believes that the amount the claimant is seeking exceeds what they may reasonably be expected to recover it may make an order under rule 26.7(4) directing the claimant to justify the amount.

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22
Q

What are the general principles for allocation and case management where the normal track for a claim is the fast track?

A

(1) Where the court is to decide whether to allocate to the fast track a claim for which the normal track is the fast track, it will allocate the claim to the fast track unless it believes that it cannot be dealt with justly on that track.
(2) The court will, in particular, take into account the limits likely to be placed on disclosure, the extent to which expert evidence may be necessary and whether the trial is likely to last more than a day.
(3)
(a) when it is considering the likely length of the trial the court will regard a day as being a period of 5 hours, and will consider whether that is likely to be sufficient time for the case to be heard;
(b) the court will also take into account the case management directions (including the fixing of a trial timetable) that are likely to be given and the court’s powers to control evidence and to limit cross-examination;
(c) subject to paragraph (e), the possibility that a trial might last longer than one day is not necessarily a conclusive reason for the court to allocate or to re-allocate a claim to the intermediate track or the multi-track;
(d) a claim may be allocated to the fast track or ordered to remain on that track although there is to be a split trial;
(e) where the case involves a counterclaim or additional claim that will be tried with the claim and as a result the trial will last more than a day, the court may not allocate it to the fast track.
(4) Directions for the case management of claims which have been allocated to the fast track will be given at the allocation stage or at the listing stage (in either case with or without a hearing) or at both or and if necessary at other times. The trial judge may, at or before the trial, give directions for its conduct.

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23
Q

What is the purpose of cost management?

A

That the court should manage both the steps to be taken and the costs to be incurred by the parties to any proceedings so as to further the overriding objective

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24
Q

When must budgets be filed?

A

All parties except LIPS must file and exchange budgets:
(a) Where the value of the claim as stated on the claim form is less than £50k, with their directions questionnaires; or
(b) In any other case, not later than 21 days before the first case management conference
In the vent a party files and exchanges a budget as above, all other parties that aren’t LIPS, must file an agreed budget discussion report no later than 7 days before the first case management conference

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25
Q

May the court order budgets where they are not usually required?

A

Yes, on an application or its own initiative and shall do so (other than in an exceptional case) if all parties consent to an application for such an order

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26
Q

What may the court order in a substantial case?

A

Direct that budgets are to be limited in the first instance to part only of the proceedings and extended later to cover the whole

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27
Q

What are the formal requirements on the budgets?

A

Must be dated and verified by a statement of truth signed by a senior legal representative of the party
Every party must also provide a LIP a copy of their budget

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28
Q

What is the effect of a failure to file a budget?

A

Any party failing to do so will be treated as having filed a budget comprising only of the applicable court fees.

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29
Q

What are cost management orders?

A

A way for the court to manage the costs to be incurred by any party.
In addition to the below, the court may record any comments it has about the incurred costs which are to be taken into account in any subsequent proceedings.
They will:
(a) Record the extent to which the budgeted costs are agreed between the parties
(b) In respect of those which are not agreed, record the court’s approval after making appropriate revisions
(c) Record the extent (if any) to which incurred costs are agreed

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30
Q

What is the subsequent effect of a cost management order?

A

The court will thereafter control the parties’ budgets in respect of recoverable costs.
The court may set a timetable or give other directions for future reviews of budgets.

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31
Q

When can a court make a cost management order?

A

At any time. Where costs budget have been filed and exchanged the court will make a costs management order unless it is satisfied that the litigation can be conducted justly and at proportionate cost without.

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32
Q

What must a party do after their budget has been approved or agreed?

A

Re-file and re-serve in the form approved or agreed with re-cast figures and annexed to the order approving it or recording that agreement.

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33
Q

What isn’t it the role of the court in respect of cost management orders?

A

To fix or approve the hourly rates claimed in the budget. It is merely concerning the totals allowed for each phase of the budget.

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34
Q

Can a party revise their budget?

A

Yes, on account of significant developments in the litigation.

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35
Q

What must happen re revised budgets?

A

Must serve particulars of the variation using form prescribed by PD 3D
Confine the particulars to the additional costs
Certify that the additional costs are not included in any previous budgeted costs or variation.
Must be submitted promptly, alongside last approved or agreed budget, and an explanation of the points of difference if they haven’t been agreed

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36
Q

What may the court do re revised budgets?

A

Approve, vary, or disallow the proposed variations having regard to any significant future developments, or may list a further costs management hearing
Where variation is made, it may vary the budget related to that variation which have been incurred prior to the order for variation but after the costs management hearing.

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37
Q

What is a costs management conference?

A

Any hearting which is convened solely for the purpose of costs management. Should be conducted via telephone or in writing.

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38
Q

When making case management decisions, what account, if any, should the court take of budgets and costs?

A

The court will have regard to them, whether or not a costs management order has been made.
The court may not approve costs incurred up to and including the date of any costs management hearing, but may record its comments on those costs and take those costs into account when considering the reasonableness and proportionality of all budgeted costs.
If an interim application is made, the court may treat those costs as additional to the approved budgets if it considers it reasonable to not have included those costs in the budget,

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39
Q

How does a court assess costs on the standard basis where a costs management order has been made?

A

The court will-
Have regard to the receiving party’s last approved or agreed budgeted costs
Not depart from them unless satisfied there is good reason to do so; and
Take into account any comments made on the face of the order

40
Q

Are the parties expected to lodge any documents other than Precedent H and the budget discussion report for costs budgeting purposes?

A

No, unless the court so orders or there are exceptional circumstances

41
Q

What format must the budget be in?

A

Unless the court otherwise orders, in the form of precedent H. Landscape format with an easily legible typeface.
In cases where a party’s total costs do not exceed 25k or the value of the claim on the claim form is less than 50k, the parties must only use the first page of precedent H.

42
Q

How will a court decide the reasonableness or proportionality of each phase of costs?

A

Regarding the factors in CPRs 44.3(5) and 44.4(3) including a consideration of where and the circumstances in which the work was done.

43
Q

When reviewing budgeted costs, how will the court approach the assessment?

A

Will not undertake a detailed assessment in advance but instead consider whether the budgeted costs fall within the range of reasonable and proportionate.

44
Q

What sanctions may be imposed on a party who fails to comply with case management directions?

A
  1. Payment of a sum of money into court (CPR 3.1 (5) & (6)
  2. Striking out of whole or part of their statement of case, plus judgment against them accordingly (CPR 3.4(2) and (3)).
  3. An ‘unless order’ – e.g. the granting of an extension of time with sanctions if they fail to comply (PD29 para 7.3)
  4. Costs sanctions in respect of any adjournment necessary as a result of the default.
45
Q

What is a notice of proposed allocation?

A

If a defendant files a defence (except where the claim is under the pre-action protocol for personal injury claims below the small claims limit in RTAs and proceedings have been started under para 27) a court officer shall provisionally decide the track and serve a notice of proposed allocation.
This notice shall:
a. Specify any matter to be complied with by the date specified in the notice
b. Require the parties to file a completed directions questionnaire and serve copies on all other parties
c. State the address of the court or office to which the directions questionnaire must be returned
d. Inform the parties how to obtain a directions questionnaire
e. If the case appears suitable for allocation to the fast track, intermediate track, or multi-track, require the parties to file proposed directions by a date specified.
The court shall serve the questionnaire on any unrepresented party.
Where there are two or more defendants and at least one files a defence, the court shall serve the notice when all defendants have served their defence or the period for filing the last defence has expired.

46
Q

Should a notice of proposed allocation be sent where the defendant is relying on the defence that the money owed has already been paid?

A

Not until the claimant has field a notice requiring the proceedings to continue.

47
Q

When should the documents required in the notice be filed and served?

A

No later than the date specified in it.

48
Q

What date should the proposed allocation have on it?

A

For a small claims one, at least 14 days
Or otherwise 28 days
After the date when it is deemed to be served on the party in question.
This cannot be varied by the parties but can be varied by a practice direction in respect of claims issued by the production centre.

49
Q

What happens if a party does not comply with a proposed allocation notice in respect of a claim for money in the county court?

A

The court shall serve a further notice requiring compliance within 7 days and, should the party still not comply, the party’s statement of case shall be struck out without further order.
A party’s claim that has been struck out in this way shall, unless the court thinks it unjust to do so, be ordered to pay the costs that the default caused to any other party

50
Q

Can the court impose a stay at the directions stage?

A

Yes, a party can make a written request for a stay for the purpose of settling the case when filing the directions questionnaire.

51
Q

How long would a stay be under a directions questionnaire one?

A

If all parties agree, a stay for one month.
If the court otherwise considers that such a stay would be appropriate, the court may direct that the proceedings, either in whole or in part, be stayed for one month or another such period as it sees fit
The court may extend the stay until such date or for such a specified period as it sees fit
Where the court stays the proceedings under this rule, the claimant must tell the court if a settlement is reached. If it is not, or the claimant does not tell them, the court shall give such directions as to the management of the case as it considers appropriate

52
Q

What directions will a court give for the fast track?

A

The court shall give directions for the management of the case and set a timetable for the steps to be taken between giving the directions and the trial. For the fast track, the court shall give directions when it allocates the case unless it considers necessary to fix a case management conference

53
Q

What directions will a court give for the intermediate track?

A

The court shall give directions for the management of the case and set a timetable for the steps to be taken between giving the directions and the trial. For the intermediate track, the court may give directions or fix a case management conference when allocation occurs.

54
Q

What directions will be given for the fast and intermediate tracks?

A

It shall:
(a) Make an order for disclosure and
(b) Either fix the trial date or fix a period, not exceeding 3 weeks, within which the trial is to take place

55
Q

May a case management timetable be varied for the fast and intermediate tracks?

A

Yes, on application by a party for a date which the court has fixed for:
(a) Any case management conference
(b) Any pre-trial review
(c) Filing the pre-trial check list
(d) The trial
(e) Or the trial period
Any date set by the court or the rules for doing an act may not be varied if the variation would make it necessary to vary any of the above dates.

56
Q

What matters are to be dealt with by directions for the fast track?

A

Disclosure of documents, service of witness statements, and expert evidence.
Any directions shall be in the form set out in the CPRs.

57
Q

How should the parties try to agree directions?

A

Must endeavour to agree appropriate directions for the management of the proceedings and submit these to the court at least seven days before any case management conference, where the court approves agreed directions or issues its own, the parties hall be notified and the case management conference vacated accordingly.

58
Q

What can the court do re: setting a case management conference?

A

It may fix it and a pre-trial review.

59
Q

What matters can be dealt with via directions for the intermediate track?

A

(a) Disclosure of documents
(b) Service of witness statements
(c) Expert evidence
(d) Whether to fix a pre-trial review
(e) Listing the case for trial
Specifically for the intermediate track:
(A) Oral expert evidence is limited to one witness per arty, save where the oral evidence of a second is reasonably required and is proportionate and
(B) any trial time estimate must not exceed 3 days
Unless the court orders others, for the intermediate track:
(a) the total length of all the permitted witness statements and summaries shall not exceed 30 pages; and
(b) any expert report shall not exceed 20 pages (including the description of their instructions and the issues + the conclusions and reasons) but excluding the CV and any supporting materials such as photographs, plans and academic articles
(c) the court may give directions or fix a case management conference when allocation occurs and make an order for disclosure and fix the trial date or period.

60
Q

What case management decisions should be made for the multi-track at allocation?

A

When allocated, the court will give directions for the management of the case and timetable for the steps to be taken between giving directions and trial (perhaps without a hearing) OR may fix a case management conference or pre-trial review OR do all of the above, and give other directions relating to management as it sees fit.
The court will fix the date or period as soon as is practicable.
When it does fix the date or period, the court will give notice to the parties and specify the date by which the parties must file a pre-trial checklist.

61
Q

What case management decisions can be made for the multi-track after allocation?

A

The court may fix a case management conference or pre-trial review any time after the claim has been allocated
If a party has a legal representative with authority to deal with any issues that are likely to arise must attend case management conferences and pre-trial reviews?

62
Q

What steps should be taken re directions for the multi-track by the parties?

A

Must endeavour to agree appropriate directions and submit these or their proposals at least seven days before any case management conference. Where the court approves these or issues its own, the parties will be notified by the court and any case management conference will be vacated.

63
Q

How may a case management timetable be varied for the multi-track?

A

A party must apply to the court in respect of a variation in the date of
(a) a case management conference
(b) pre-trial review
(c) the return of a pre-trial checklist
(d) the trial
(e) or the trial period
any date set by the court or the rules must not be varied by the parties if it would make it necessary to vary the above.

64
Q

What is the pre-trial check list (listing questionnaire)?

A

The court will send the parties a pre-trial check list (listing questionnaire) for completion and return by the date specified in directions given unless it considers the claim can proceed to trial without the need. Each party must file this within the date specified
If no party files the completed check list by the date specified m the court will order that unless a completed pre-trial check list is filed within 7 days from service of that order, the claim, defence, and any counterclaim will be struck out without further notice
If one party files it but the other doesn’t, or a party has failed to give all the information requested, or the court considers a hearing is necessary to enable directions to be formulated, the court may give such directions as it considers appropriate.

65
Q

What may the court do in respect of a pre-trial review on receipt of the parties pre-trial check lists?

A

If it decides to hold or cancel a pre-trial review, it must serve notice of its decision at least 7 days before the date fixed for the hearing or the cancelled hearing

66
Q

What may the court do in respect of setting a timetable for multi-track cases?

A

As soon as practicable after one party has filed a completed check list, the court has held a listing hearing, or the court has held a pre-trial review, the court will:
(a) Set a timetable for the trial unless it has already been fixed or the court considers it would be inappropriate to do so
(b) Confirm the date for trial or the week within which the trial is to begin; and
(c) Notify the parties of the trial timetable and the date or trial period

67
Q

How will the trial be conducted with respect to any orders previously made at the pre-trial stage on the multi-track?

A

Unless the trial judge directs otherwise, the trial will be conducted in accordance with any order previously made.

68
Q

Where will case management take place for the multi track?

A

For those proceedings at the RCJ, there.
Otherwise, at a civil trial centre

69
Q

What are the hallmarks of the multi-track?

A

Ability of the court to deal with cases of widely different values and complexity and the flexibility given to the court in its case management powers
I.e., the court can give directions without a hearing

70
Q

Who will deal with case management on the multi-track?

A

A Master in cases proceeding in the RCJ
A DJ in cases proceedings in a District Registry of the High Court, and
A DJ or CJ in cases proceeding in the county court

71
Q

How will the court tailor its directions on the multi-track?

A

According to the needs of the case and the steps already undertaken, including compliance with any PAPs or PDs.
The court’s concern at this stage will be to ensure that the issues between the parties are identified and that the necessary evidence is prepared and disclosed

72
Q

What order for disclosure of expert reports where required for both liability and quantum may the court make on the multi-track?

A

It may order those relating liability to be exchanged simultaneously but those relating to damages be exchanged sequentially.

73
Q

What will the court do at case management conferences on the multi track?

A

Review the steps which the parties have taken in the preparation of the case and in particular their compliance with any directions given
Decide and give directions about the steps which are be to taken in order to secure the progress of the claim in accordance with the overriding objective
Ensure as far as possible that all agreements that can be reached between the parties about matters in issue are reached and recorded

74
Q

Where a party has a legal representative with sufficient authority to deal with any issues, what must happen in respect of case management hearings? Also, who may this be?

A

They must attend.
Someone personally involved in the conduct of the case and who has the authority and information to deal with any matter which may reasonably be expected to be dealt with at such a hearing, including the fixing of the timetable, the identification of issues and matters of evidence.
Where the inadequacy of the person attending or of his instructions leads to the adjournment of a hearing, the court will expect to make a wasted costs order.

75
Q

What topics may a court consider at the case management hearing on the multi-track?

A
  1. Whether the claimant has made clear the claim he is bringing and in particular the amount he is claiming so that the other party can understand the case he must meet
  2. Whether any amendments are required to the claim, a statement of cae, or any other document
  3. What disclosure is necessary
  4. What expert evidence is reasonably required and how and when that evidence should be obtained and disclosed
  5. What factual evidence should be disclosed
  6. What arrangements should be made about giving clarification or other information and the putting of questions to experts and
  7. Whether it will be just and will save costs to order a split trial or the trial of one or more preliminary issues
    The court, at this stage, will not give permission to use expert evidence unless it can identify each expert by name or field in its order and say whether his evidence will be oral or written
76
Q

What happens where a party wishes to obtain an order not routinely made at a case management conference and he believes this will be opposed on the multi-track?

A

He should issue and serve the application in time for it to be heard at the case management conference

77
Q

How may directions be varied on the multi-track?

A

Must appeal within 14 days of service of the order, otherwise the order stands.
He may appeal or apply to the court to reconsider.
A party should appeal if the order was given at a hearing he was present at or given due notice about.
In any other case, he should apply for reconsideration.

78
Q

What happens on the multi-track when a party applies for a court to reconsider its decision on a case management order?

A

Will usually be heard by the judge who gave the directions or of another judge of the same level
The court will; give all parties at least 3 days’ notice of the hearing
The court will confirm its directions or make a different order

79
Q

What happens if there has been a change in circumstances since a case management order on the multi-track?

A

The court may, on application or its own initiative, vary or set aside a direction that is given

80
Q

What happens if the parties agree to vary a case management order on the multi-track?

A

Depending on the rule relied upon, the parties need not file this.
In any other case the parties must apply for an order by consent via filing a draft order and agreed statement of reasons for the order

81
Q

What happens where a party fails to comply with a direction given by the court on the mutli track?

A

Apply for a sanction or an order for a party to do something.
The party so entitled must apply ASAP and first warn the other party of his intention to do so
The court may take into count the extent of the delay when it decides to make any order imposing a sanction or to grant relief from a sanction imposed.

82
Q

Will a failure to comply with a direction lead to postponement of the trial on the multi-track?

A

No, unless the circumstances are exceptional.
If it is practical to do so the court will exercise its powers in a manner that enables the case to come on for trial on the date or within the period previously set
The court will assess what steps each party should take and direct those are taken in the shortest possible time and impose a sanction for non-compliance which may deprive a party of their right to raise or contest an issue
Where it appears that one or more issues are or can be made ready while others cannot, the court may direct that the trial will proceed on the issues which are then ready and direct hat no costs will be allowed for any later trial of the remaining issues or that no costs will be allowed for the party in default
Where the court has no option but to delay, it will delay for the shortest time possible and give directions in the most rapid way possible. This is an order of last resort. In such a case, the court may compel a party or their representative to attend court
The court will not postpone any other hearing without a very good reason, and for that purpose the failure of a party to comply on time with directions previously given will not be treated as a good reason

83
Q

Where is the trial likely to be held on the multi-track?

A

At a civil trial centre or another court if appropriate.

84
Q

What may a judge do in respect of opening addresses on the multi-track?

A

He may dispense with them.

85
Q

What must the court consider on an application for relief from sanctions?

A

All the circumstances of the case, so as to enable it to deal justly with the application, including the need:
(a) For litigation to be conducted efficiently and at proportionate cost; and
(b) To enforce compliance with rules, practice directions, and orders
Gives the court a general discretion to give relief from sanction. Does not apply where sanction is an order for payment of costs (appeal is the remedy)

86
Q

Would refusal to grant relief from a debarring sanction contravene art. 6?

A

No so long as it is proportionate and was for a legitimate purpose

87
Q

What must accompany an application for relief from sanctions?

A

Evidence.

88
Q

What guidance on deciding whether to grant relief from sanctions was given

A

Denton:
Should be addressed in three stages:
1. Assess the seriousness and significance of the failure to comply (if it is not serious or significant, not likely to take long)
2. Assess why the default occurred
3. Evaluate all the circumstances of the case, so as to enable the court to deal justly with the application

89
Q

When may a failure to comply with the rules/pd e.c.t. be serious and significant in context of granting relief from sanctions?

A

Good yardstick is whether it imperilled future hearing dates.
Failure to pay court fees is also serious.
There are degrees of seriousness and significance
Should firstly consider the breach in question, with previous breaches to be considered when considering all the circumstances of the case
If it is not serious or significant, likely to be granted
Failure to comply with an unless is a pointer to serious and significant (the breach in those cases extends to both failure to comply with the original rule and the extended one)
A conditional order of payment can be treated as not an unless one.
2 days late after an unless order, even without imperilling the trial date, is serious and significant
If an application is made for two separate sanctions, the court should first assess them individually before assessing them together when considering all the circumstances of the case

90
Q

What should the court do when assessing why the default occurred for relief from sanctions?

A

Examples include:
A party or his solicitor suffering from debilitating illness
Later developments if they show the original times for compliance were unreasonable
If some good reason is shown, then relief will usually be granted

91
Q

What should the court do when considering all the circumstances of the case for relief from sanctions?

A

It should always consider all the circumstances
Should give particular consideration to:
(a) The need for litigation to be conducted efficiently and at proportionate cost
(b) The need to enforce compliance with the rules (will no longer have lax compliance)
Other circumstances may include whether the sanctions are proportionate to the breach and other past or current breaches.
The more serious and significant the breach the less likely relief will be granted.
Relief has been granted even for unless orders where the breach was not serious nor significant (delay of 45 minutes)
A lack of promptness in applying for relief may be a factor.
Also, other factors may include how far advanced the claim is, how close the trial was, whether the breach would mean the trial was unfair.
A two month delay in applying for relief would militate heavily against granting relief.

92
Q

How does opportunism from parties factor into whether relief from sanctions is granted?

A

Parties who opportunistically and unreasonably oppose applications for relief from sanctions breach the duty in the overriding objective. Wholly inappropriate to act in this way. Should act cooperatively. Heavy cost sanctions may be imposed on parties who do not act properly.
Party is not always required to agree extensions when it would cause him to suffer prejudice.
Only need to act cooperatively where to do otherwise would be unreasonable.

93
Q

From when do sanctions have effect?

A

They have effect unless the defaulting party obtains relief.
Where it is costs, however, the only relief is by appealing.

94
Q

How may parties agree extensions of time for doing something?

A

Where a rule/pd/court order specifies a party must do something within a specified time and specifies the consequences of a failure to comply, the time can only be extended via agreement through the parties and up to a maximum of 28 days provided it is in a written format to the court and that such an extension does not put at risk any future hearing date.

95
Q

Is default judgment a ‘Sanction’?

A

Yes