Responding to a Claim Flashcards
what must D do within 14 days of service of the POC?
Within 14 days of service of the POC (not the CF), D must do one of the following or C can apply for default judgment:
o File an admission
o File an AOS
o File a defence
what happens if D does not take one of the prescribed steps in 14 days?
C can apply for summary judgment
re: admission
give an overview of admissions
- Separate admission forms for specified claims and unspecified claims
- The forms asks the amount admitted, employment and financial information and details of any offer of payment (i.e. date for payment or by instalments)
D can admit all or part of the claim
re: admission
if an admission form is entered, what can C do?
- An admission gives C the right to enter judgment against D.
re: admission
what happens if D admits the whole of a specified claim?
o D sends Form N9A to the claimant who will then enter judgment
o If D has made a request for time to pay and C does not accept the proposals, the court will determine a payment plan
re: admission
what happens if D admits part of a specified claim?
D sends Form N9A and Form N9B (defence form) to the court
The court send this to C who has 14 days to decide whether to:
Accept part admission and request judgment;
Accept part admission but not D’s proposals for payment (the court will then decide);
Reject offer entirely. The matter proceeds as defended.
re: admission
what happens if D admits all of a unspecified claim and makes an offer?
D can admit liability of the claim on Form N9C.
o Complete Form N9C and sends this to the court
o The court send a notice to C asking whether they accept this sum
o If the sum is accepted, C can request judgment. If C does not accept the payment proposals, the court will determine a payment plan
re: admission
what happens if D admit liability but makes no offer or C does not accept the offer?
C will enter judgment for damages (plus costs) to be assessed at a disposal hearing
re: acknowledgement of service
when must this be filed?
within 14 days of deemed service of POC
re: acknowledgement of service
what is the effect of filing this?
If an AOS is filed within 14 days of deemed service of the POC, D will have 28 days from the date of deemed service of the POC to file the defence
o i.e. POC filed 2 Nov, defence due 16 Nov unless AOS filed by 16 Nov, in which case defence is due 30 Nov
what must D do if they dispute the court’s jurisdiction?
- If D disputes the court’s jurisdiction, this must be stated on the AOS
- Within 14 days of filing the AOS, D must make the application disputing the court’s jurisdiction
o NB: application must be filed within 14 days of the AOS. It doesn’t mean D has 28 days from the date of deemed service to make the application
if D contests the court’s jurisdiction and this application is granted, what happens?
- If granted (i.e. court doesn’t have jurisdiction) > service of the claim form will be set aside and the proceedings come to an end
if D contests the court’s jurisdiction and this application is refused, what happens?
- If refused > the original AOS ceases to have effect and D must file a further AOS within 14 days.
re: defence
how can this be prepared?
D can either complete the appropriate form in the response pack or prepare the defence in a separate document.
re: defence
what may the defence include?
a counterclaim
re: defence
when must the defence be filed?
This must be filed and served within:
o 14 days; or
o 28 days if AOS filed; or
o Up to 56 days after service if POC, if agreed by parties
o Any further extension requires permission of the court
re: default judgment
when can C apply for a DJ?
- C can apply for DJ if they have served the POC and D has not responded to the claim
re: default judgment
when can C apply for DJ?
- C can make the application the first day after expiry of the relevant time limits
re: default judgment
when might DJ be refused?
- A DJ might be refused if there is a pending application by D for summary judgment / to have the case struck out
what is the effect if the claim includes specified and unspecified elements?
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER:
the entire claim is treated as unspecified
re: default judgment
what effects the DJ process?
whether the claim is specified or unspecified
re: default judgment
what is the process in relation to an unspecified claim?
C files the request for judgment form with the court. Information on form:
o Confirmation that neither an admission or defence has been filed
o Confirmation that C has served the POC
o Judgment details, i.e.:
Date payment was due
Up to date total for interest claimed (C may be entitled to contractual / late payment interest. C is also entitled to interest from the date of issue to the date of judgment)
Daily rate at which interest accrues
Court fees and legal costs
Whether any money has been paid since issue
D usually has to pay the judgment debt within 14 days
re: default judgment
what information is on the DJ form for a specified claim?
Confirmation that neither an admission or defence has been filed
Confirmation that C has served the POC
Judgment details, i.e.:
Date payment was due
Up to date total for interest claimed (C may be entitled to contractual / late payment interest. C is also entitled to interest from the date of issue to the date of judgment)
Daily rate at which interest accrues
Court fees and legal costs
Whether any money has been paid since issue
re: default judgment
what is the process in relation to an unspecified claim?
- DJ can be entered but it will be on the basis of liability only with damages to be assessed by the court at a disposal hearing
what is a disposal hearing?
- disposal hearing = short court hearing where a judge can decide the amount of money a defendant must pay or give directions for the future of a case
re: setting aside a judgment
what should take place before an application is made?
- Whilst no formal requirement to do so, D should C whether they agree to the judgment being set aside.
re: setting aside a judgment
if agreement can’t be reached, what happens next?
- If C refuses, D must lodge an N244 with a witness statement and evidence as soon as possible. The court will consider any tardiness.
re: setting aside a judgment
what evidence will D need to provide with their application?
D must evidence they acted swiftly and the ground they seek to rely upon
re: setting aside a judgment
what are the grounds?
o Mandatory ground
o Discretionary ground
re: setting aside a judgment
explain the mandatory ground
the court must set aside the judgment if it was wrongly entered i.e. entered into early or the claim was paid in full
re: setting aside a judgment
explain the discretionary ground
the court may set aside the judgment if:
D has a real prospect of successfully defending the claim; or
There is another good reason why they should be allowed to defend the claim
re: setting aside a judgment
what order can the court make?
o DJ set aside and D can defend claim
o DJ remains in place and C can enforce judgment
o Conditional order > DJ is set aside on the condition D pays money
re: setting aside a judgment
what are the potential costs awards?
o Mandatory ground > C pays D’s costs
o Discretionary ground – good reason > costs in the case
o Discretionary ground – real prospect > D pays C’s costs
o Application fails > C pays C’s costs
re: setting aside a judgment
what is the cost award if the judgment is set aside on the mandatory ground?
o Mandatory ground > C pays D’s costs
re: setting aside a judgment
what is the cost award if the judgment is set aside on the discretionary ground?
o Discretionary ground – good reason > costs in the case
o Discretionary ground – real prospect > D pays C’s costs
re: setting aside a judgment
what is the cost award if the application fails?
o Application fails > C pays C’s costs