Commencing and serving proceedings Flashcards
What is meant by ‘serving’ documents? What must C do once served?
- Getting documents over to other side in a way that is recognised by the court
- C waits for D to respond
What is disregarded when considering the ‘financial value’ of a claim?
Used to decide which court
- Interests
- Costs
- Any coutnerclaim
- Any contributory negligence
- Any deduction of social security benefits
What are the rules re which court for a non-PI claim?
- Value of claim greater than £100,000 = either HC or CC
- Value of claim £100,000 or less = CC
What are the rules re which court for a PI claim?
- Value of claim £50,000 or more = either HC or CC
- Value of claim less than £50,000 = must be CC
Where a claim can be started in CC or HC, on what grounds will issuing in HC be justified?
On grounds of:
- Financial value of claim and amount in dispute; and/or
- Complexity of the facts, legal issues, remedies or procedures involved; and/or
- Importance of the outcome to the general public; and/or
- C believes that claim ought to be dealt with by HC judge
Even if way over £100,000, may still be more suitable in CC
C agrees to sell a consignment of timber to D for D to use in its manufacturing business, in return for a payment of £175,000.
C delivers the goods as agreed and the consignment is accepted by D, who successfully uses the timber in its own business as planned.
Despite there being no issue with the timber or C’s performance of its obligations under the contract, D has not paid the invoice .
C wishes to commence proceedings to recover the unpaid £175,000.
- The claim is a breach of contract claim worth over £100,000, therefore both County Court and High Court have jurisdiction. Applying the factors:
- The financial value of the claim is £175,000; over the High Court threshold.
- The facts and issue are not complex; unpaid debt
- Only C and D have an interest in the outcome; no wider importance to the public.
C might conclude that the County Court is the most appropriate for the claim, despite its value, as there is nothing complex about the claim requiring a High Court judge to deal with it.
Is there an upper limit for claims in the County Court?
No! So can be over £100,000 (PI or non-PI) but still more suitable for the County Court
e.g. is not complex
What criteria will the court consider if it disagrees with C’s choice of court once claim issued?
- Same as before (where there is a choice); and
- Whether a specialist judge available, facilities at court for disabled witnesses/parties
What is the consequence of commencing a claim in the wrong court?
C may be ordered to pay costs of transfer
Where a matter continues in the HC - when it should have been issued in CC - what penalty might the C suffer?
Costs awarded in claim can be deducted by up to 25%
At court’s discretion!
What 2 things must be sent to the court to issue the claim?
- Claim form (N1) to be issued and sealed - one on cout file, one for every D, one for C to keep on own file
- Court issue fee - varies depending on value of claim
When the HC stamps covering letter with date - claim is issued - what are the effects on timings?
For HC!
Timings = time period to do things
- Time stops running for limitation period
- Time starts running for time in which claim can be served
Same for CC!
What does the High Court do to issue the claim form?
- Enters date of issue on claim form
- Gives case claim number and
- Seals all copies of claim form (stamps with court seal)
Will create case management file and places own sealed copy of claim form in that file
Docs can be taken into court and issued on same day
Where will money claims and not-money-only claims be issued for the CC be issued? What is sent for each?
- Money claims = issued centrally in the County Court Money Claims Centre
- Not-money-only claims = at any of the County Court Hearing Centres
For both = send claim form and pay issue fee
What does the County Court Money Claims Centre do?
For money claims
Manages claims until a hearing is required, at which point they are transferred to a particular local county court hearing centre
What can C do if they have a preferred County Court Hearing Centre?
Specify it on form - claim may be transferred to this one if hearing required
What is Money Claim Online? What are its limits re claim value and Ds?
Alternative to County Court Money Claims Centre
- Online service designed to provide a quick and cost-effective resolution for simple claims
- Can only be used for money claims up to value of £100,000 which are against no more than 2 Ds
How is the claim form served in Money Claim Online and what can D do? What happens if claim is defended?
- Served in usual way
- D can respond through online service
- If defended = will be transferred to appropriate local county court hearing centre
What is the Northampton County Court Business Centre for?
‘Bulk users’ e.g. users who are
going to issue many claims (eg utility companies)