The Civil Process Flashcards
Why were the civil procedure rules 1998 implemented?
Lawyers were being ruthless and charging too much
What are the civil procedure rules 1998
Ensuring a case is dealt with justly
What was the act implemented along with?
Access to Justice Act 1999
What were the acts made in response to?
Woolf Report
Why was the woolf report commissioned?
To research problems in the court system
What did woolf criticize?
Long delays and unacceptable expenses
What did woolf accuse lawyers of?
Unnecessarily delaying cases to drive up fees
What did woolf say about the number of expert witnesses?
Too many, added costs
Civil procedure rules 1998 ensured parties must follow what?
Pre-action protocol and claim form
What does the protocol state?
Defendant must receive a letter explaining how claim arrises, what fault they have done and any details of personal injury etc
How long is the defendant given to investigate a claim?
3 months to admit or deny
Who can help with the claim form?
Citizens Advice Bureau
How many claim form copies are made?
2, one for defendant one for claimant
What do you do with the claim form?
Send it back to the court with appropriate court fee
How much is the fee for claims over £50,000?
£500
How long can parties postpone proceedings?
1 month
Why would parties postpone proceedings?
ADR (alternative dispute resolution)
Why was Woolf keen on ADR?
More time for courts to focus on complex cases
What did ‘Halsey V Milton Keynes General NHS Trust 2004’ say?
Parties cannot be forced to use ADR as it contravenes their right to a fair trial
What are the 2 main courts in the civil procedure?
County court & high court
A claim for £25,000 or less is started in which court?
County
Larger claims are started in which court?
County or High
Personal injury claims up to £50,000 are started in which court?
County
Defamation claims MUST be started in which court?
High
Can a case be transferred courts?
Yes if neccasary
What are the 3 types of track?
Small claims, fast, multi
When do you use the small claims track?
Claims under £5000 (personal injury and housing limit is £1000)
When do you use fast track?
Straightforward disputes between £5000-£25000. Heard within 30 days and only 1 expert witness
When do you use multi track?
Cases over £25000 and complex cases under £25000
Who makes the decision about which track you use?
District judge in county court or procedural judge in high court
How do judges make the track decision?
Both parties fill out an allocation questionnaire
What are the defendants options after getting a claim form through?
Admit and pay in full. Dispute the claim and send an acknowledgement of service within 14 days, this lets you add another 14 days to serve a defence
What in an order in default?
Defendant does neither and claimant asks court to send an order that he pays the money
What type of cases are usually heard in county court?
Contract law cases, personal injury, divorce etc
What cases do small claims courts hear?
Claims to the value of £5000 (discourage the use of lawyers)
What are the 3 divisions in the high court?
Queens Bench Division, Chancery Division & Family Division
What cases are heard in QDB?
Contract and tort cases
What cases are heard in chancery division?
Insolvency, enforcement of mortgages, trust property, copyright etc
What cases are heard in family division?
Wardship cases, relating to Children Act 1989, marriage etc
What are the advantages of the system? (7)
Flexibility, speeds up, costs down, control of lawyers, burden off county court, co-operation between parties increases and waiting lists are dwindled down