Topic 8- Case Management Flashcards
When can a time limit to do any act be changed?
By written agreement of the parties
Give examples of the Court’s case management powers
Extend or shorten time for compliance of a rule or order
Adjourn or bring forward a hearing
Require a party to attend court
Direct parts of proceedings
Stay proceedings
Direct a separate trial on any issue
When a court makes an order, what can they also do?
Make it subject to conditions (eg, to pay a sum of money to court)
Specify the consequences of failure to comply with the order
Can a court exercise its powers using its own initiative?
Yes- if the court makes an order of its own initiative-
- It may give a person affected by the order to make representations
- Must also give at least 3 days notice of the hearing for the order
What can a party do if affected by a court’s order of its own initiative without representations?
The party may apply to have the order set aside, or stayed
What is an “unless order”?
This is an order that “unless” something is not done by a party, the court can strike out the case
When will a court strike out a case?
Where they make an order which includes a term that the case will be struck out if not complied with (unless order)
AND
The party does not comply with that order
Where there has been an error procedures, such as failure to comply with a rule or PD, what will the court do?
The error will not invalidate any step taken in the proceedings, unless the court says it does
The court may then make an order to remedy the error
Which track does costs management only apply to?
Multi-track cases
What order must not have been complied with for the court to strike out a claim?
An unless order
When may a party obtain judgment with costs after a defendant has failed to file a defence within the period?
By filing a request for judgment
What is the purpose of costs management?
To further the overriding objective
When may someone not be ordered to file and exchange budgets?
When they are a “litigant in person”
I.e- they are representing themselves, and have no legal rep
What are the requirements for filing and exchanging budgets? - need to check if this is correct
Where the value of the claim is less than £50,000
Must be made no later than 21 days before first case management conference
What are the consequences of a party failing to file a costs budget?
Unless the court orders, the party will be treated as having filed a budget compromising only the applicable court fees
This means they won’t be able to be compensated their fees
What is a costs management order?
An order made after costs budgets have been filed and exchanged
This records the extent to which the budgeted costs are agreed between the parties
When will a costs management order not be made by the court?
If it is satisfied that the litigation can be conducted justly and at proportionate cost
When can a party revise its cost budget?
A party may revise its budgeted costs if significant developments in litigation warrant it
These changes must be submitted promptly and serve the particulars on all the parties
What is a costs management conference?
A hearing which is convened solely for costs management
Used to discuss the budgeted costs, etc
What must the court take into account when making a case management decision?
They must have regard to any available budgets of the parties, and the costs that may be involved
What happens if an interim application is made, but it isn’t included in the budget?
The court may treat the costs as additional the approved budgets
When assessing costs on the standard basis, what must the court have regard to?
They must have regard to the last approved budgeted costs
AND they cannot depart from the approved costs unless there is a good reason to do so
What are the four tracks?
Small claims track
Fast track
Intermediate track
Multi-track
Where a defendant has filed a defence, what will the court then do?
They will decide the track to allocate the claim, and serve notice on each party
They will then serve a directions questionnaire on any unrepresented party
What is a notice of proposed allocation?
This notifies the parties upon which track they may be allocated to
Where a notice of proposed allocation has been served, what must each party do?
They must file and serve the documents required by the notice, no later that-
- 14 days (small track)
- 28 days (all other tracks)
What happens if a party does not comply with the notice of proposed allocation?
The court will serve a notice on that party, requiring them to comply within 7 days
If the party fails to comply again, the party’s statement of case will be struck out
Who pays the costs were a case is struck out?
The party in default shall pay the costs, unless the court feels it is unjust
What can a party do when filing the directions questionnaire?
They may apply to stay proceedings in order to settle the case via ADR
The court may then stay proceedings for one month
When will the court fully allocate a claim?
After the completion of the directions questionnaire
If the court has stayed the proceedings, it shall allocate the claim to a track at the end of the stay
What is the allocation value for the small claims track?
Not more than £10,000
Not more than £5000 for RTA
Not more than £1000 for RTA (child)
What is the actual meaning of “damages for personal injuries”?
Compensation for pain, suffering and loss of amenity
What is the allocation criteria for the fast track?
Not more than £25,000
Will not last more than one day
No more than one expert per party
What is the allocation criteria for the intermediate track?
Not more than £100,000
Will not last more than 3 days
No more than two experts per party
(also if it is in the interests of justice to allocate it here)
If a party is seeking non-monetary relief, can it be allocated to the intermediate track?
No
Unless the court feels it is in the interests of justice to do so
What is the allocation criteria for the multi track?
The normal track for claims that are not suitable for small, fast, or intermediate track
(eg, over £100,000)
If a claim is worth £1200 for a child injured in a RTA, where will it be allocated?
Likely the fast track
Limit for small track = £1000
What factors will be taken into account when deciding the track for a claim?
Financial value of the claim
Nature of the remedy sought
Complexity of the facts
Number of parties
Value of any counterclaims
Circumstances of the parties