Time Limits Flashcards
Time D has to reply to C’s letter of claim pursuant to the general pre-action protocol
- ‘Reasonable time’ - 14 days in a straight forward case, max 3 months in a very complex one
- But remember: the protocols are to be followed generally (not slavishly). So the time limits aren’t 100% strict. The parties can vary them by agreement and in any event the court will be concerned with reasonableness (rather than strict compliance).
How much time should D get to investigate a claim before C issues proceedings under the PI protocol?
- 3 months
- Where this is not possible (e.g. bc a limitation period is about to expire), the parties should consider inviting the court to extend time for service of C’s supporting docs and for service of D’s defence or to stay proceedings
Time frame for acknowledging the letter of notification under the PI protocol
14 days from receipt
How long does D have to send the second copy of the letter of claim provided by C under the PI protocol to their insurer?
7 days from receipt of the letter
How long does D’s insurer have to reply to C’s letter of claim under the PI protocol?
D’s insurer has to reply twice so two time limits apply:
- Initial response (this is not the terminology used in the CPR but I find it helpful)
- Once D has identified its insurer, the insurer has 21 calendar days from the date on which the letter identifying them was posted to reply to C.
- The point of this letter is for the insurer to identify any omissions in C’s letter and to point out if any D’s that have been identified by C incorrectly.
- If the insurer fails to reply within 21 days C can issue proceedings.
- Full response following investigation (again not the terminology used in the CPR)
- The insurer then has 3 months from the date of acknowledgement of C’s letter of claim to investigate the claim
- The insurer has to send another response within those 3 months (after investigation is complete).
- The purpose of this second response is to deny/admit liability and generally explain the view taken by the insurer as to the merits of C’s claim/the quantum claimed by C.
If the accident occurred outside of EW/D is not in the jurisdiction, the time limits are extended:
- 21 days -> 42 days
- 3 months -> 6 months
How long does D have to object to the nomination of an expert by C under the PI protocol?
Depends on when the expert was nominated:
- If they were nominated in the original letter of claim (or presumably if the list was given in that letter) -> 14 days after expiry of the 21 day period for replying to the letter of claim
- In all other cases -> 14 days from nomination/provision of list of experts
How much time do you have to ask further questions of an expert under the PI protocol?
28 days from service of the expert’s report (this applies both to the instructing party and the other side)
Under the PI protocol, for how long should C delay issuing proceedings if D admits liability?
- 21 days from disclosure by C of (a) any medical reports on which C relies and (b) C’s schedule of past and future losses and expenses that C claims.
- The point of this is that D needs this info and the parties need an opportunity to consider settling.
By when do you have to give notice that you will be using models/photographs as evidence (in cases where such notice is required)?
- If you want to rely on it as evidence of any fact -> not later than the latest date for serving witness statements
- If there are not to be any witness statements -> At least 21 days before the hearing at which the party proposes to put in the evidence
- If you intend to put in the evidence solely in order to disprove an allegation made in a witness statement -> At least 21 days before the hearing at which the party proposes to put in the evidence
- If it forms part of expert evidence (but is not contained in the expert’s report) -> at the time when the expert’s report is served on the other party
- If you want to produce it for any reason other than as part of factual or expert evidence -> at least 21 days before the hearing at which you propose to put in the evidence
When does notice of intention to rely on hearsay evidence at trial have to be served by?
- Usually, the hearsay evidence will either be given at trial or in a witness statement -> then the normal evidential time limits apply
- But if no oral evidence will be given and no witness statement is submitted, then you have to serve notice no later than the time you have to serve witness statements
i.e. you would usually say that you will be relying on hearsay evidence in the witness statement of the witness that contains the evidence. If you don’t serve such a witness statement you have time to serve a notice no later than the latest date for serving witness statements.
By when do you have to apply for permission to call a witness for cross-examination where the other side proposes to rely on the witness’ hearsay evidence, but does not propose to call the witness?
14 days after the notice of intention to rely on the hearsay evidence was served
By when do you have to give notice of your intention to attack the credibility of a witness that has given hearsay evidence but who the party relying on the hearsay evidence does not propose to call at trial?
14 days after the day on which a hearsay notice relating to the hearsay evidence was served on the party proposing to attack the credibility
How long does a party have to draw up a judgment/order where a court has permitted the party to do so?
Must be filed no later than 7 days after the date on which the court order or permitted him to draw it up
When does a judgment/order take effect?
From the day when it is given or made or such later date as the court may specify
When does time begin to run for the purposes of interest?
From the date that judgment is given, unless (a) a different rule in the CPR or a PD orders otherwise or (b) the court orders otherwise.
How long do you have to comply with a judgment or order for the payment of an amount of money (including costs)?
14 days from the date of the judgment or order, unless (a) the judgment/order provides otherwise, (b) any other rules provide otherwise, or (c) the court has stayed the proceedings or judgment.
How long do you have to comply with an order to do something (rather than to pay a sum of money)?
The order must specify the time limit for compliance. I.e. you have to comply within the time specified (no default rule).
When can you bring enforcement proceedings of a settlement recorded in a court judgment?
All the normal rules for enforcement of judgments apply. The only time limit worth remembering is that the debtor has 14 days from the judgment/order to make any money payments ordered, so you shouldn’t bring enforcement proceedings before then.
How long do you have to comply with an order for costs?
14 days from when you were ordered to pay costs (in a judgment or in a separate order) or by whatever date is specified by the court.
If the court makes an adverse costs order (against a party or their legal representative personally) because the party or their legal representative has failed to comply with a rule in connection with the assessment of costs or has behaved unreasonably or improperly, how long does the legal representative have to inform their client of the order if the client was not present when the order was made?
7 days from when they receive the notice of the order
-> See r 44.11 if confused about what this is
When does a statement of costs have to be filed by for the purposes of summary assessment?
- Fast track trial -> at least 2 days before the trial
- All other hearings -> at least 24h before the hearing
What is the time limit for serving an arbitration claim form?
1 month from the date of issue
What is the time limit for serving particulars of claim under Pt 7?
If it they are not included in the claim form: within 14 days of service of the CF and within the time allowed for service of the CF (i.e. 4 months in cases in the jurisdiction)
What is the time limit for filing a copy of the particulars of claim under Pt 7?
If no copy has already been filed (e.g. bc it was filed together with the CF), then the claimant must file a copy within 7 days of serving the PoC on the defendant