Case Management Flashcards
What claims are allocated to the small claims track? (non pi)
Defended low value claims with the least formality (parties will usually represent themselves)
What claims are allocated to the fast track and how are directions dealt with? (non pi)
Defended claims between £10,000.01 and £25,000. There is a tight timetable for directions and trial is within 30 weeks.
What claims are allocated to the multi track and how are directions dealt with? (non pi)
Defended claims over value of £25k. Courts have flexibility on directions depending on the importance of the case.
What should parties put in part A of the directions questionnaire? (settlement)
Parties confirm if a one month stay is required to attempt settlement by ADR or informal discussion and confirmation they have been warned of costs sanctions if they don’t attempt settlement. If they aren’t going to, written reasons must be given.
What should parties put in part B of the directions questionnaire? (court)
Any reason why a case may need to be heard in a certain County or High Court.
What should parties put in part C of the directions questionnaire? (pre-action protocols)
If there is a relevant pre-action protocol and if it has been followed and if not, why not.
What should parties put in part D of the directions questionnaire? (case management information)
Details of any application made so far. If the proposed directions indicate a track which is not usual for case type then why is this. Scope and extent of disclosure of documents.
What should parties put in part E of the directions questionnaire? (experts)
Is the case suitable for a single joint expert, if not details should be given of experts the party wishes to use
What should parties put in part F of the directions questionnaire? (witnesses)
List of all intended to call at trial
What should parties put in part G of the directions questionnaire? (trial or final hearing)
Estimate of trial length
What should parties put in part H of the directions questionnaire? (costs)
If legally represented, solicitor files and serves costs budget using precedent H if the case is likely to be allocated to the multi track
What should parties put in part I of the directions questionnaire? (other information)
Any information which may help the judge manage the claim (e.g. intended applications)
What should parties put in part J of the directions questionnaire? (directions)
Directions parties have agreed which form a timetable of the procedural steps to take the claim to a trial plus a draft order. For multi track there is a menu of directions on MoJ site and for fast track on CPR Part 28
Under CPR Part 26, what happens if a party fails to file a directions questionnaire? (non CCMCC claims)?
The court will make the appropriate order (e.g. order for directions, order striking out claim or defence and entering judgment, order listing CMC) and the party who didn’t file will be ordered to pay costs.
Under CPR Part 26, what happens if a party fails to file a directions questionnaire in a CCMCC claim?
Court serves a notice to comply within 7 days and if the party doesn’t, the statement of case are automatically struck out.
What values are allocated to what track with personal injury claims?
small claims - £1,000 or below / fast track - above £1,000 below £25,000 / multi track - above £25,000
What are four reasons why a court may allocate a personal injury claim to a higher track than usual?
complexity / value of counterclaim / oral evidence / case importance
What case management directions are made in the fast track?
Directions setting out timetable to trial (called standard directions)
What case management directions are made in the multi track?
There will be a CMC for the purposes of determining directions which are cost appropriate.
What is the Shorter Trial Scheme?
Provides earlier trials for business litigation at reasonable and proportionate cost. It is a streamlined procedure where judgment is given in a year of issue. For cases which can be tried fairly with limited evidence and disclosure. Max trial length is 4 days
What is the Flexible Trial Scheme?
Provides earlier trials for business litigation at reasonable and proportionate cost. Gives more flexible case management where parties agree, which simplifies and expedites the full trial procedure currently under CPR
If there is a minor failure to comply with directions, what should happen to ensure the party does not face sanctions?
Parties should co-operate and still keep to certain key dates.
If a party fails to comply with directions, what can their opponent do?
The opposing party can apply for an order to enforce compliance and/or impose a sanction.
If a party fails to comply with directions, what can the court do?
Court may order costs to be paid by the party in default. They may be stopped from raising or contesting issues or relying on evidence which relates to the direction. Failure to comply will only lead to postponement in exceptional circumstances.
Under which rule of CPR can a defaulting party apply for relief from sanctions?
r3.9
What happened in the case of Andrew Mitchell MP v News Group Newspapers Ltd [2013] in relation to sanctions for non-compliance with directions?
The Court of Appeal dismissed Mr Andrews’ claim against the High Court ruling that he would only recover court fees (regardless of how valid his case was or how much work his solicitors had done) as he had filed his costs budget late
What happened in the case of Viridor Waste Management Ltd v Veolia Es Ltd [2015] in relation to sanctions for non-compliance with directions?
PoC were filed by non CPR recognised method (2nd class) and one day late so def didn’t consent to application for extension and applied to strike out the claim. As no delay was caused by the error, the court penalised the def for being unreasonable, awarding the claimant costs on an indemnity basis
What three things are considered by the court when deciding to grant relief from sanctions (as well as a common sense approach, balancing fairness and procedural certainty)?
The seriousness and significance of the breach / The reasons for default / all case circumstances, including the need to comply but also for the litigation to be efficient and at a proportionate cost
What part of CPR deals with the small claims track?
CPR Part 27
What four procedures are not appropriate for the small claims track?
(most) interim remedies / standard disclosure / most rules on experts / Part 36 offers
What are the four key points in Standard Directions?
Documents to be relied upon are filed and served no later than 14 days before the hearing / Original docs must be brought to hearing / Notice is given of date and length of hearing / Court is informed if case is settled by agreement
What are parties automatically referred to when a case is allocated to the small claims track and why?
They are automatically referred to mediation (if they agree) in order to resolve the matter without trial, which would save time and costs
In the small claims track, what are special directions and when are they made?
They are directions made by the DJ considering the court file at the allocation stage if the case so merits a direction which isn’t usually granted (e.g. direction for expert evidence may be made in a dispute over workmanship)
For which two reasons might a DJ list a small claims case for a preliminary hearing?
To help parties understand how to prepare the case or if it appears from the documents the case should be struck out
How will a final hearing proceed in the small claims track?
It is usually dealt with by a DJ in judge’s room rather than court room. The hearing is informal with no strict evidence rules, allowing the DJ to proceed however they see fair (e.g. questioning witness before parties or imposing crossexam limits). DJ gives short, simple oral judgment after hearing evidence and closing submissions. Hearing fee based on value of claim and usually paid by claimant. Case can be decided on paper without hearing if parties agree.
What six types of costs may be ordered between parties in small claims?
Fixed costs of issue / Court fees / witness travel expenses / subsistence and loss of earnings up to £95 per day / expert fees up to £750 / litigants in person’s legal work up to £19 p/h
What part of CPR covers the fast track?
CPR Part 28
How are cases dealt with under the fast track?
It is a streamlined procedure with a short timescale to trial after filing defences. The timetable is tight to discourage elaboration but gives enough time for necessary work. Full range of interim remedies and orders are available but with limited time for these tactical procedural applications.