6: The overriding objective and ADR Flashcards
What is the overriding objective of the CPR?
The overriding objective is for the courts to deal with cases justly and at proportionate cost, ensuring parties can participate fully and provide their best evidence.
Where can you find the overriding objective in the CPR?
Part 1: r1.1
What is a pre-action protocol?
A set of prescribed steps that should be followed in certain types of cases before a party issues a claim at court.
What is one of the main reasons for pre-action protocols?
To avoid litigation and get the parties to agree.
For which types of cases are pre-action protocols in force?
Debt claims,
Personal injury,
Professional negligence claims,
Certain claims in road traffic accidents (RTA)
What are the common features of the various different protocols?
Guidelines for:
- A recommended contents of a letter of claim
- the contents of a letter of response
- parties to provide pre-action information using standard forms and questionnaires
- parties to give pre-action disclosure
- to encourage parties to instruct a single expert witness
- to encourage parties to settle disputes without litigation (e.g., mediation or ADRs)
- A suggested bar on starting proceedings until a certain period has elapsed from the initial letter of claim
What might happen if parties fail to comply with pre-action protocols?
Failure to comply may lead to sanctions such as cost penalties further down the line.
What is expected in cases not covered by an approved protocol?
The court expects parties to adhere to the PDPACP.
What is the PDPACP?
Practice Direction – Pre-Action Conduct & Protocols is a standalone Practice Direction, not linked to any specific rule.
What should the parties do to comply with PDPACP?
- Set out in writing the concise details of their claim,
- Disclose key information relevant to the case,
- Take necessary steps to obtain expert evidence,
- Agree to an appropriate form of ADR
What should the letter before claim include?
- The basis on which the claim is made,
- Summary of the facts,
- What the claimant wants from the defendant,
- Explanation of any financial loss and how it was calculated
What additional elements should a good letter before claim have?
List essential documents,
Set out ADR form and invite the defendant to agree,
State the date for a full response,
Identify and ask for copies of relevant documents,
Draw attention to sanctions in paragraph 16 PDPACP,
Inform about potential proceedings and cost liability
What are the options for the defendant’s response to the letter of claim under paragraph 6(b)?
Accept the claim in whole or in part, or state that the claim is not accepted
What should a defendant’s response include if the claim is not accepted?
Reasons why the claim is not accepted,
Identify disputed facts,
State if they intend to make a counterclaim
What should a good response also include, which isn’t included in PDPACP?
Whether the claimant was wholly or partly to blame,
Agreement or alternative suggestions for ADR,
List of essential documents,
Copies of requested documents or reasons for not providing them,
Identification and request for further relevant documents
What do the protocols relevant to personal injury claims comprise of?
Personal injury protocol
RTA protocol: low-value personal injury claims in road traffic accidents
EL/PL protocol: low-value employers’ liability and public liability claims
When was the personal injury protocol introduced?
Introduced in 1998
Up to what amount of value can you use the RTA or EL/PL protocols?
Up to £25,000, after which you need to use the personal injury protocol
How has the application of the original personal injury protocol changed?
It now applies only to higher-value claims or where a claim leaves the original protocol.
What is the RTA protocol and why was it introduced?
Introduced to address concerns about increasing RTA personal injury claims, ensuring claimants receive compensation in a quicker and cost-effective manner.
How does the RTA protocol achieve its aims?
By setting a clear and rigid timetable for all parties, Fixed costs to limit lawyer fees and avoid disputes, Process conducted via a purpose-made electronic portal
What is the value threshold for claims under the RTA protocol?
The protocol applies to RTA claims with a value of £25,000 or below.
What are the three stages of the process of making a claim under the RTA protocol?
Stage 1: Early notification and acknowledgment
Stage 2: Obtaining medical evidence, offers to settle, and negotiation
Stage 3: Court involvement for compensation disputes
What is the CUE PI database and why does it exist?
Claims and Underwriting Exchange Personal Injury database. It records incidents reported by policy holders to their insurance companies, in order to reduce risk of fraud.
What does Stage 1 of the RTA protocol involve?
Search on CUE PI database,
Claim Notification Form (CNF) to insurer,
Insurer acknowledgment next business day and response of liability within 15 business days
What is the name of the Claim Notification form and what does it provide?
Form RTA1 - the CNF form. It provides full info on the circumstances of the accident, damages claimed for the vehicle and injuries suffered.
How is the RTA1 sent to the defendant and the defendant insurer?
Electronically to defendant insurer
First class post to defendant
What is required from the defendant insurer for the claim to remain in the RTA Protocol?
An admission of liability from the insurer