Part 57 PROBATE AND INHERITANCE

Contents of this Part
Title	Number
Scope of this Part and definitions	Rule 57.1
I PROBATE CLAIMS
General	Rule 57.2
How to start a probate claim	Rule 57.3
Acknowledgment of Service and Defence	Rule 57.4
Lodging of testamentary documents and filing of evidence about testamentary documents	Rule 57.5
Revocation of existing grant	Rule 57.6
Contents of statements of case	Rule 57.7
Counterclaim	Rule 57.8
Probate counterclaim in other proceedings	Rule 57.9
Failure to acknowledge service or to file a defence	Rule 57.10
Discontinuance and dismissal	Rule 57.11
II RECTIFICATION OF WILLS
Rectification of Wills	Rule 57.12
III SUBSTITUTION AND REMOVAL OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES
Substitution and Removal of Personal Representatives	Rule 57.13
IV CLAIMS UNDER THE INHERITANCE (PROVISION FOR FAMILY AND DEPENDANTS) ACT 1975
Scope of this section	Rule 57.14
Proceedings in the High Court	Rule 57.15
Procedure for claims under section 1 of the Act	Rule 57.16

Scope of this Part and definitions

57.1

(1)

This Part contains rules about –


(a)	probate claims;


(b)	claims for the rectification of wills;

(c)

claims and applications to –


(i)	substitute another person for a personal representative; or


(ii)	remove a personal representative; and


(d)	claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family Dependents) Act 1975(3).

(2)

In this Part:

(a)

‘probate claim‘ means a claim for –


(i)	the grant of probate of the will, or letters of administration of the estate, of a deceased person;


(ii)	the revocation of such a grant; or


(iii)	a decree pronouncing for or against the validity of an alleged will;

not being a claim which is non-contentious (or common form) probate business;

(Section 128 of the Supreme Court Act 1981^Acts¹ defines non-contentious (or common form) probate business.)

(b)

‘relevant office’ means –


(i)	in the case of High Court proceedings in a Chancery district registry, that registry;


(ii)	in the case of any other High Court proceedings, Chancery Chambers at the Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London, WC2A 2LL; and


(iii)	in the case of county court proceedings, the office of the county court in question;


(c)	‘testamentary document’ means a will, a draft of a will, written instructions for a will made by or at the request of, or under the instructions of, the testator, and any document purporting to be evidence of the contents, or to be a copy, of a will which is alleged to have been lost or destroyed;


(d)	‘will’ includes a codicil.

This Rule is referred to in: PDP 44 (8.2), PDP 57 (18.3), SCCO costs guide - Section 2 (2.8).

This Rule is referred to in the following SIs: Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2001 (19), (19), Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2002 (23).

Rule 57.1 amended, new sub-paragraph (d) inserted w/e from 2 December 2002.

I PROBATE CLAIMS

General

57.2


(1)	This Section contains rules about probate claims.


(2)	Probate claims in the High Court are assigned to the Chancery Division.

(3)

Probate claims in the county court must only be brought in –


(a)	a county court where there is also a Chancery district registry; or


(b)	the Central London County Court.


(4)	All probate claims are allocated to the multi-track.

This Rule is referred to in the following SIs: Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2001 (19), Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 4) Rules 2003 (15).

Para (3) replaced w/e from 6 October 2003.

How to start a probate claim

57.3

A probate claim must be commenced –


(a)	in the relevant office; and


(b)	using the procedure in Part 7.

This Rule is referred to in the following SIs: Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2001 (19).

Acknowledgment of Service and Defence

57.4


(1)	A defendant who is served with a claim form must file an acknowledgment of service.

(2)

Subject to paragraph (3), the period for filing an acknowledgment of service is –


(a)	if the defendant is served with a claim form which states that particulars of claim are to follow, 28 days after service of the particulars of claim; and


(b)	in any other case, 28 days after service of the claim form.


(3)	If the claim form is served out of the jurisdiction under rule 6.32 or 6.33, the period for filing an acknowledgment of service is 14 days longer than the relevant period specified in rule 6.35 or Practice Direction^pdp-06B supplementing Part 6.


(4)	Rule 15(4) (which provides the period for filing a defence) applies as if the words ‘under Part 10’ were omitted from rule 15.4(1)(b).

This Rule is referred to in: PDP 04 (3.2).

This Rule is referred to in the following SIs: Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2001 (19), Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2008 (30), (44).

Text of Rule 57.4 substituted w/e from 6 April 2008,
Text substituted in Rule 57.4(3) w/e from 1 October 2008.

Lodging of testamentary documents and filing of evidence about testamentary documents

57.5


(1)	Any testamentary document of the deceased person in the possession or control of any party must be lodged with the court.

(2)

Unless the court directs otherwise, the testamentary documents must be lodged in the relevant office –


(a)	by the claimant when the claim form is issued; and


(b)	by a defendant when he acknowledges service.

(3)

The claimant and every defendant who acknowledges service of the claim form must in written evidence –


(a)	describe any testamentary document of the deceased of which he has any knowledge or, if he does not know of any such testamentary document, state that fact, and


(b)	if any testamentary document of which he has knowledge is not in his possession or under his control, give the name and address of the person in whose possession or under whose control it is or, if he does not know the name or address of that person, state that fact.

(A specimen form for the written evidence about testamentary documents is annexed to the practice direction.)

(4)

Unless the court directs otherwise, the written evidence required by paragraph (3) must be filed in the relevant office –


(a)	by the claimant, when the claim form is issued; and


(b)	by a defendant when he acknowledges service.


(5)	Except with the permission of the court, a party shall not be allowed to inspect the testamentary documents or written evidence lodged or filed by any other party until he himself has lodged his testamentary documents and filed his evidence.


(6)	The provisions of paragraphs (2) and (4) may be modified by a practice direction under this Part.

This Rule is referred to in: PDP 57 (18.3).

This Rule is referred to in the following SIs: Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2001 (19).

Revocation of existing grant

57.6


(1)	In a probate claim which seeks the revocation of a grant of probate or letters of administration every person who is entitled, or claims to be entitled, to administer the estate under that grant must be made a party to the claim.


(2)	If the claimant is the person to whom the grant was made, he must lodge the probate or letters of administration in the relevant office when the claim form is issued.


(3)	If a defendant has the probate or letters of administration under his control, he must lodge it in the relevant office when he acknowledges service.


(4)	Paragraphs (2) and (3) do not apply where the grant has already been lodged at the court, which in this paragraph includes the Principal Registry of the Family Division or a district probate registry.

This Rule is referred to in the following SIs: Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2001 (19).

Contents of statements of case

57.7


(1)	The claim form must contain a statement of the nature of the interest of the claimant and of each defendant in the estate.


(2)	If a party disputes another party's interest in the estate he must state this in his statement of case and set out his reasons.


(3)	Any party who contends that at the time when a will was executed the testator did not know of and approve its contents must give particulars of the facts and matters relied on.

(4)

Any party who wishes to contend that –


(a)	a will was not duly executed;


(b)	at the time of the execution of a will the testator lacked testamentary capacity; or


(c)	the execution of a will was obtained by undue influence or fraud,

must set out the contention specifically and give particulars of the facts and matters relied on.

(5)


(a)	A defendant may give notice in his defence that he does not raise any positive case, but insists on the will being proved in solemn form and, for that purpose, will cross-examine the witnesses who attested the will.


(b)	If a defendant gives such a notice, the court will not make an order for costs against him unless it considers that there was no reasonable ground for opposing the will.

This Rule is referred to in: PDP 57 (5.2), SCCO costs guide - Section 2 (2.8).

This Rule is referred to in the following SIs: Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2001 (19), Civil Procedure (Amendment No.2) Rules 2007 (13), (8).

Counterclaim

57.8


(1)	A defendant who contends that he has any claim or is entitled to any remedy relating to the grant of probate of the will, or letters of administration of the estate, of the deceased person must serve a counterclaim making that contention.


(2)	If the claimant fails to serve particulars of claim within the time allowed, the defendant may, with the permission of the court, serve a counterclaim and the probate claim shall then proceed as if the counterclaim were the particulars of claim.

This Rule is referred to in the following SIs: Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2001 (19).

Probate counterclaim in other proceedings

57.9


(1)	In this rule ‘probate counterclaim’ means a counterclaim in any claim other than a probate claim by which the defendant claims any such remedy as is mentioned in rule 57.1(2)(a).


(2)	Subject to the following paragraphs of this rule, this Part shall apply with the necessary modifications to a probate counterclaim as it applies to a probate claim.


(3)	A probate counterclaim must contain a statement of the nature of the interest of each of the parties in the estate of the deceased to which the probate counterclaim relates.

(4)

Unless an application notice is issued within 7 days after the service of a probate counterclaim for an order under rule 3.1(2)(e) or 3.4 for the probate counterclaim to be dealt with in separate proceedings or to be struck out, and the application is granted, the court shall order the transfer of the proceedings to either –


(a)	the Chancery Division (if it is not already assigned to that Division) and to either the Royal Courts of Justice or a Chancery district registry (if it is not already proceeding in one of those places); or


(b)	if the county court has jurisdiction, to a county court where there is also a Chancery district registry or the Central London County Court.


(5)	If an order is made that a probate counterclaim be dealt with in separate proceedings, the order shall order the transfer of the probate counterclaim as required under paragraph (4).

This Rule is referred to in the following SIs: Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2001 (19), Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 5) Rules 2003 (14), (Notes).

Words 'or the Central London County Court' added at end of Rule 57.9(4)(b) w/e from 1 April 2004.

Failure to acknowledge service or to file a defence

57.10


(1)	A default judgment cannot be obtained in a probate claim and rule 10.2 and Part 12 do not apply.

(2)

If any of several defendants fails to acknowledge service the claimant may –


(a)	after the time for acknowledging service has expired; and


(b)	upon filing written evidence of service of the claim form and (if no particulars of claim were contained in or served with the claim form) the particulars of claim on that defendant;

proceed with the probate claim as if that defendant had acknowledged service.


(3)	If no defendant acknowledges service or files a defence then, unless on the application of the claimant the court orders the claim to be discontinued, the claimant may, after the time for acknowledging service or for filing a defence (as the case may be) has expired, apply to the court for an order that the claim is to proceed to trial.


(4)	When making an application under paragraph (3) the claimant must file written evidence of service of the claim form and (if no particulars of claim were contained in or served with the claim form) the particulars of claim on each of the defendants.


(5)	Where the court makes an order under paragraph (3), it may direct that the claim be tried on written evidence.

This Rule is referred to in the following SIs: Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2001 (19).

Discontinuance and dismissal

57.11


(1)	Part 38 does not apply to probate claims.

(2)

At any stage of a probate claim the court, on the application of the claimant or of any defendant who has acknowledged service, may order that –


(a)	the claim be discontinued or dismissed on such terms as to costs or otherwise as it thinks just; and


(b)	a grant of probate of the will, or letters of administration of the estate, of the deceased person be made to the person entitled to the grant.

This Rule is referred to in: PDP 57 (6.1).

This Rule is referred to in the following SIs: Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2001 (19).

II RECTIFICATION OF WILLS

Rectification of Wills

57.12


(1)	This Section contains rules about claims for the rectification of a will. (Section 20 of the Administration of Justice Act 1982^Acts² provides for rectification of a will. Additional provisions are contained in rule 55 of the Non-Contentious Probate Rules 1987³.)


(2)	Every personal representative of the estate shall be joined as a party.


(3)	The practice direction makes provision for lodging the grant of probate or letters of administration with the will annexed in a claim under this Section.

This Rule is referred to in the following SIs: Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2001 (19).

III SUBSTITUTION AND REMOVAL OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES

Substitution and Removal of Personal Representatives

57.13


(1)	This Section contains rules about claims and applications for substitution or removal of a personal representative.


(2)	Claims under this Section must be brought in the High Court and are assigned to the Chancery Division. (Section 50 of the Administration of Justice Act 1985^Acts^Acts⁴ gives the High Court power to appoint a substitute for, or to remove, a personal representative.)


(3)	Every personal representative of the estate shall be joined as a party.


(4)	The practice direction makes provision for lodging the grant of probate or letters of administration in a claim under this Section.


(5)	If substitution or removal of a personal representative is sought by application in existing proceedings, this rule shall apply with references to claims being read as if they referred to applications.

This Rule is referred to in the following SIs: Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2001 (19).

IV CLAIMS UNDER THE INHERITANCE (PROVISION FOR FAMILY AND DEPENDANTS) ACT 1975

Scope of this section

57.14

This Section contains rules about claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975⁵ (‘the Act’).

This Rule is referred to in the following SIs: Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2002 (36).

Section IV inserted w/e from 2 December 2002.

Proceedings in the High Court

57.15

Proceedings in the High Court under the Act shall be issued in either –


(a)	the Chancery Division; or


(b)	the Family Division.


(2)	The Civil Procedure Rules apply to proceedings under the Act which are brought in the Family Division, except that the provisions of the Family Proceedings Rules 1991⁶ relating to the drawing up and service of orders apply instead of the provisions in Part 40 and its practice direction.

This Rule is referred to in the following SIs: Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2002 (36).

Rule 57.15 inserted w/e from 2 December 2002.

Procedure for claims under section 1 of the Act

57.16


(1)	A claim under section 1 of the Act must be made by issuing a claim form in accordance with Part 8.


(2)	Rule 8.3 (acknowledgment of service) and rule 8.5 (filing and serving written evidence) apply as modified by paragraphs (3) to (5) of this rule.

(3)

The written evidence filed and served by the claimant with the claim form must have exhibited to it an official copy of –


(a)	the grant of probate or letters of administration in respect of the deceased's estate; and


(b)	every testamentary document in respect of which probate or letters of administration were granted.

(4)

Subject to paragraph (4A), the time within which a defendant must file and serve –


(a)	an acknowledgment of service; and


(b)	any written evidence,

is not more than 21 days after service of the claim form on him.


(4A)	If the claim form is served out of the jurisdiction under rule 6.32 or 6.33, the period for filing an acknowledgment of service and any written evidence is 7 days longer than the relevant period specified in rule 6.35 or Practice Direction^pdp-06B supplementing Part 6.


(5)	A defendant who is a personal representative of the deceased must file and serve written evidence, which must include the information required by the practice direction.

This Rule is referred to in: PDP 57 (15).

This Rule is referred to in the following SIs: Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2002 (36), Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2008 (30), (44), Civil Procedure Amendment Rules 2004 (17).

New paragraph (4A) inserted (with consequential amendments) into Rule 57.16 w/e from 1 June 2004,
Rule 57.16 inserted w/e from 2 December 2002,
Text substituted in Rule 57.16(4A) w/e from 1 October 2008.

Footnotes

1. 1981 c.54.

2. 1982 c.53.

3. S.I. 1987/2024 as amended by S.I. 1991/1876, S.I. 1998/1903 and 1999/1015.

4. 1985 c.61.

5. 1975 c.63.

6. S.I. 1991/1247. There are no relevant amending instruments.