Responding to proceedings Flashcards
What can C do if D fails to meet deadlines for responding to proceedings?
C can request/apply for default judgement (C automatically succeeds without considering merits)
What 3 options does D have when responding to proceedings?
- File or serve admisssion (i.e. does not wish to defend)
- File a defence (can file admission and defence if only admits part of claim)
- File acknowledgement of service (if wants more time for defence)
Regardless of whether D wants to defend or acknowledge service, by when must either come within?
Within 14 days of deemed service of POC (or CF if POC was attached)
Why might D acknowledge service?
- Cannot file defence in time and needs longer than 14 days
- Wishes to dispute court has jurisdiction to hear claim
Acknowledging service not compulsory step in claim; if defence is ready D should choose to defend instead straight away
What form is used for acknowledgement of service and what does D include on it when is it completed?
Form N9 - sent to D in response pack
- D confirms name is correctly stated on CF and gives address for service of docs
- Indicates whether they intend to defend all/part of claim or contest jurisdiction
- Space on acknowledgement of service to indicate why it is acknowledging
What is the effect that filing acknowledgement of service has on the the deadline for filing a defence?
If D files acknowledgement of service intdicating intention to defend, the deadline for serving defence is extended to 28 days after deemed date of service of POC
Will otherwise have 14 days from DDOS
E.g. CF with POC deemed served on Friday 9 Dec - D must file ack or defence within 14 days of this date and defence within 28 days of this date…
- Day 1 = Sat 10 Dec
- Day 14 = Fri 23 Dec
- Day 28 = Fri 6 Jane
Last day for defence to be filed = Fri 6 Jan
How will the C find out that service has been acknowledged?
Court notifies C in writing, but D’s solicitors will often also often notify C’s solicitors directly too
When will a longer period for filing defence apply?
Not counting extension
- Where CF served out of jurisdiction
- Where court makes order for service of a CF on agent of principal who is overseas
A defence does not need to be served before what hearing?
D’s application for disputing jurisdiction or C’s application for summary judgement
I.e. if these hearings are going to take place, D does not need to file defence
How long can the time to serve a defence be extended by without having to apply to court for permission? How?
56 days - parties can agree extension for serving defence of up to 28 days (on top of 28 days given by acknowledgement of service) and must notify court
Court must be notified in writing if so
In what cases will a D need to apply to court for extension of time to serve defence?
- Parties have already agreed extension of 28 days
- C refuses to agree extension of up to 28 days
D ensures OO is furthered when deciding whether to grant extension
What will D respond to a claim for a specified amount of money (e.g. debt claim) that they have already paid? What happens after this?
- Will respond to claim with a defence which states that debt has already been paid
- Court sends notice to C asking whether this defence is correct - C has 28 days to respond or claim is stayed
What will C do from here?
After D responds with defence stating that debt (which C is claiming for) has already been paid and court has sent a notice to C asking if this is correct
- Does not wish to continue = end case
- Wishes to continue (do not agree debt paid/want interests and costs) = claim proceeds as a defended claim
Whatever response, C must serve copy on D
What are the different forms for admitting the claim for specified amount and unspecified amount, non-money or return of goods?
- Specified amount = Form N9A
- Unspecified amount, non-money or return of goods = Form N9C
When must a D wishing to admit whole or part of claim send relevant admission to court (or C if admitting specified claim in full)?
Within 14 days of DDOS of POC