Issuing and Responding to Proceedings Flashcards
What is the CPR guidance for which court to issue proceedings in for each court/type of case?
Claims less than or equal to £100k (£50k pi) should be issued in the County Court. Those over can choose High or County but High should only be used for complex claims or those with an outcome considered important to the general public.
Who is safeguarded under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and why?
Children and mental patients as in law they are not considered able to make their own decisions
What is a Litigation Friend?
Someone who represents a protected party (child/mental health patient) in litigation and who should fairly and competently conduct proceedings without adverse interest
If a claimant is suing a partnership, who should their claim be brought against?
Against the partnership name to avoid naming and serving all partners.
If a claimant is suing a sole trader, who should their claim be brought against?
They can be sued either in their own name or their business name. If they are a claimant they must sue in their own name.
If a claimant is suing a company (LLB), who should their claim be brought against?
They must be sued under the correct company name (Ltd/Limited) so company searches are usually conducted first.
What determines the date proceedings are commenced?
The court sealing and issuing the claim form. The date this happens will be the date of commencement.
What three documents are needed to issue proceedings and which two extra documents are needed for p.i cases?
N9 claim form, particulars of claim and any relevant/required documents which should be annexed to the PoC. For p.i. medical report and schedule of losses is also needed.
What Part of CPR requires N1 claim form?
Part 7
What is required in the claim form part 1 - identification of court?
The relevant court if County Court (money only CCMCC), or if High Court the relevant division and District Registry should be stated (e.g. in the High Court of Justice Queens Bench Division Birmingham District Registry).
What is required in the claim form part 2 - for completion by the court?
The court will insert the claim number and issue date
What is required in the claim form part 3 - details of parties?
Full names of parties, claimant or def, home or business address. If an individual is representing a business, CPR requires the business name added followed by ‘a Firm’ with the suffix plc or ltd. If full addresses are not given the court will not seal.
What is required in the claim form part 4 - brief details of claim?
A statement of the nature of the claim and the remedy sought.
What is required in the claim form part 5 - value?
If the claim is for money the value must be stated. Exact for debt claims or approx for damages claims in these brackets; up to 10k, 10-25k, over 25k for allocation to tracks. For pi claims amount expected to recover should be stated. High Court claims must state that they expect to recover over £100k (£50k pi) and are all allocated to multi track.
Where are personal injury claims with reasonably expected recoverable damages under £10k allocated?
If under £1k to small claims track, if over £1k fast track
What is required in the claim form part 6 - preferred county court hearing centre?
If a CC money only claim is defended or needs a hearing it will go from CCMCC to the preferred court stated here by the claimant. If they do not state one, it will go to home CC of def. For High Court cases the claimant must specify the District Registry
What is required in the claim form part 7 - defendant’s details for service?
Name and address of defendant or their solicitors (if they are willing to accept service)
What is required in the claim form part 8 - financial summary of claim, parts a) to d)
a) amount claimed, b) court fee, c) legal representative’s costs which in specified claims are fixed under CPR Part 45, in non-specified TBA should be inserted, d) where costs can be itemised, the total costs should be provided so def knows what to pay
What is required in the claim form part 9 - Human Rights issues?
Any issues arising under HRA 1998
What is required in the claim form part 10 - particulars of claim?
Sums due, interest claimed, details of any verbal contracts etc. They can be drafted on a separate document and all relevant docs should be attached.
What is required in the claim form part 11 - prayer for relief?
Not necessary but customary, a summary of remedies sought
What is required in the claim form part 12 - statement of truth?
Required under CRP Part 22. Best practice for claimant to sign themselves that they believe contents of form to be true. If the claimant is a company a senior should sign and give position held. If a solicitor is signing on behalf of their client they are signing to say their client believes the contents to be true and must sign in their own name, not the firm’s
What is MCOL?
Money Claims Online, an alternative online method of issuing proceedings in the CC to make justice more affordable/accessible for claims up to £100k. The status can be checked and judgments enforced online.
What do the Claims Production Centre and the County Court Business Centre allow to be issued?
Claims in bulk, so they are used by claimants such as credit card companies.
How are RTA pi claims issued if they are under £25k?
They are pursued under the RTA Protocol
What is the timeframe for service of the claim form on a defendant after the date of issue?
Four months from the date of issue. If the PoC haven’t been served with the claim form they must be served within 14 days.
Which part of CPR deals with address for service?
Part 6
What should be given for address for service when serving a solicitor authorised to accept service?
The solicitor’s office address
What should be given for address for service when serving an individual?
Their usual or last known address
What should be given for address for service when serving an individual under a business name?
Either the usual/last known address of the individual or the principal or last known place of the business
What should be given for address for service when serving an individual in their partnership name?
Either the usual/last known address of the individual or the principal or last known place of the business