A Court User's Guide to the Civil Justice Reforms

Flowchart 11

Allocation to fast and
multi-tracks
CPR Part 28 & 29

Fast track -- directions and hearing

Case management directions will generally be given on allocation and on filing of the listing questionnaire

On allocation the court will:

• fix the trial date or a period not exceeding 3 weeks in which the trial will take place
• give standard directions to prepare for the trial over a standard period of no more than 30 weeks
• give dates for the sending and return of completed listing questionnaires

Typical timetable for trial from allocation would be:

• disclosure 4 weeks
• exchange of witness statements 10 weeks
• exchange of experts' reports 14 weeks
• sending out of LQs by the court 20 weeks
• filing of completed LQs 22 weeks
• trial 30 weeks

The directions timetable may not be varied if variation would make it necessary to change the date of the return of the LQ or the trial date or period

Multi-track -- directions and hearing

Case management directions will be tailored to the needs of individual cases and the preparatory steps already taken by the parties

Court's first concern will be to ensure issues between the parties are identified and the necessary evidence is prepared and disclosed

Judge will set a timetable for the steps considered necessary, including the holding of any case management conference (CMC) or pre trial review (PTR), and will try to fix a trial date or period as soon as possible

On fixing the trial date or period, the court will specify the date for filing the completed LQs (no later than 8 weeks before trial date or period). LQs will be served on the parties at least 14 days before trial date or period