General
An acknowledgment of service will be available for county court as well as High Court claims. It may only be amended or withdrawn with the court's permission.
Default judgment available
Default judgment is still available 14 days after date of service of claim form or particulars of claim but in default of filing an acknowledgment of service, rather than a defence.
Extending the time for filing defence by consent
Parties may agree to extend the period for filing a defence by a further 28 days but must notify the court in writing. Time now runs from original date for filing defence i.e. 56 days from date of service of claim form or particulars of claim.
Disputing court's jurisdiction
Defendant may also file acknowledgment of service where he is disputing the court's jurisdiction (CPR Part 11). An application notice (Form N244) must be filed within 28 days of service of the claim form. If the application is not filed in time, the defendant is treated as having accepted the court's jurisdiction to try the claim. The defendant need not file a defence before the hearing of the application.