Workshop 4: Interim Applications Flashcards
What is meant by ‘interim application’?
An application from claimants made to the courts in the interim or middle of trial
What can interim applications be made for?
- Extension of time for proceedings
- Party requesting further documentation/information from other party
- Application for disruptive interim remedies
- Seeking permission to rely on expert evidence
- Applying for amendment of statement of case
What is the purpose of a ‘summary judgement’?
To enable the court to dispose of claims without the need to go to full trial
Why may a ‘summary judgment’ be called?
Because one party’s position in relation to that claim/issue is very weak
What is ‘interim injunction’?
An order of the court requiring a party to do or refrain from doing a given act
When should an interim application be made?
As soon as it becomes apparent that it is necessary or desirable
What is the name of the party making the application?
How does this affect the names of what the claimant or respondent are referred to during proceedings?
They are called the ‘applicant’ and the other party is called the ‘respondent’
This is irrespective of their name in proceedings
What is the name of the application the applicant begins to make an interim application?
Form N244
What are the four things that make up an application from the applicant?
- Application notice
- Evidence
- Draft order
- Fee
What is a ‘draft order’ that should be filed by the applicant?
An order which sets out the terms it is seeking
What are the four main stages of making an interim application?
- Issue
- Service
- Further evidence
- Hearing
What must be done with the four components of an issued interim application with the other party?
It must be served on the other party after the application has been issued by the court
What is the time frame whereby the application is filed and served to the other party from when the application is to be heard?
No less than three clear days before the application is heard
When must further evidence within the four stages of an interim application be filed and served from both the applicant and respondent, should both parties wish to do so?
As soon as possible and in accordance with any specific timings stated by the court
When should a ‘statement of costs’ in relation to the application be filed and exchanged?
No less than 24 hours before the hearing
Which three circumstances may the dealing of an interim application take place in absence of a hearing?
- Parties have agreed terms of order
- Parties agree there should be no hearing
- The court does not consider hearing appropriate
What will the court consider when deciding to deal with the interim application hearing remotely or partially remotely?
The overriding objective
Where will the interim application hearing take place if the hearing is expected to last 2 hours or less?
Remotely
What does it mean if you make an interim application ‘without notice’?
It is made without serving the application notice on the respondent/opposing party
When may interim applications without notice be made?
- Exceptional urgency (e.g., remedy is needed immediately)
- Overriding objective is best furthered by doing so
- All parties consent
- Court gives permission
- Court order, rule or practice direction permits
- Insufficient time to serve application notice after date for hearing has been fixed and party wishes to make application at that hearing
What are the procedural safeguards for ‘without notice’ applications?
- Application must explain why no notice is given
- Application must draw (absent) respondents position, of their evidence and arguments
- Applicant must serve repsondent as soon as after the hearing, even if the court didn’t grant the sough relief
- Coiurt must contain statement of respondent’s right to make an application to set aside or vary the ordr
What is the time frame for a respondent setting aside or varying the order following the ‘without notice’ hearing?
Such applications must be made within 7 days of the order being served on the other party
What are the documents the applicants must serve on the respondent after a ‘without notice’ hearing?
- Application notice
- Evident in support
- The order
What happens if a summary judgement is granted on an issue?
The issue is no longer considered at trail
Who can apply for a summary judgement?
When one party considers the other’s sufficiently weak in relation to the claim or particular issues
What’s the difference between a ‘summary judgment’ and ‘strike out’?
Summary judgment
- Where party has no real prospect of succeeding on their claim/defence, for the court to dispose of a claim/issue without the need for trial
Strike out
- Court strikes out party or whole of statement of cause which, for example
a) disclose no reasonable ground for bringing or defending claim
b) abuse of process/likely to obstruct just disposal of proceedings
What’s the difference between a ‘summary judgment’ and a ‘default judgement’?
Summary judgement
- Where party has no real prospect of succeeding on their claim/defence, for the court to dispose of a claim/issue without the need for trial
Default judgement
- Consequence when defendant fails to respond to a claim in for form of (in according with CPR time limits:
a) failing to file acknowledgement of service
b) failing to acknowledge defence
How can a ‘default judgement’ be obtained?
By the claimant requesting or application, subject to nature of claim
What are the two grounds for a ‘summary judgement’; for the court to dispose of a claim/issue without the need for trial?
1a. Claimant has no real prospect of succeeding on the claim or issue or
1b. Defendant has no real prospect of successfully defending the claim or issue
and
- There is no other compelling reason why the case or issue shou;d be disposed of at trial;
What is meant by ‘no real prospect’ when considering the grounds for a ‘summary judgement’?
That there is some chance succeeding is improbably
The respondent does not have to show that its case will probably succeed
What are some examples (non-exhaustive list) of ‘compelling reasons’ when considering the grounds for a ‘summary judgement’?
- Defendant needs more time to investigate
- Expert evidence is required
- Multi-party litigation
- Scrutiny of key documents is required
- Defendant has a right to trial by jury e.g., fraud
When can a claimant apply for a ‘summary judgement’ without needing the courts permission?
After the defendant has filed an acknowledgement of service/defence
When can a defendant apply for a ‘summary judgement’?
Anytime after proceedings have commenced
When can the court apply for a ‘summary judgement’?
Can fix hearing on its own initiative