BVC Civil Procedure Initiating a Civil Claim Part

BVC Civil Procedure Initiating a Civil Claim Part 2

Pre-Action Protocols • Protocols introduced by the CPR • Main ones are PI and Professional Negligence • The “spirit” applies to all cases • Designed to ensure that proper investigations are carried out and settlement options are explored • Sanctions for non-compliance

Issuing the Claim • Part 7 (also Parts 8 and 49) • Claim Form - contains claim number/issue date/statement of value • Can issue in High Court or County Court • £ 15, 000/£ 50, 000 limits • PD 7. 2. 4 - financial value, complexity, importance • Can be transferred - 30. 3

What to serve • Claim form and information pack • Particulars of claim (if not with the claim form, within 14 days after) CPR 7. 4(1) • Statements of case (defence, counterclaim, reply, Part 20 claim • Statement of truth

When to serve • 4 calendar months from issue (Particulars must be served within this time as well-CPR 7. 4(2) • (Walkley v Precision Forgings [1979] 1 WLR 606) • www. moneyclaim. gov. uk (PD 7 E. 4) • Can apply for an extension

Methods of service (CPR 6. 2) • • First class post (2 nd day after posting) Personal (immediately) leaving at address (day after left) DX (2 nd day after depositing) Fax(same day unless after 4 pm=next business day) Other electronic means (2 nd day after sent) Nottingham Building Society v Peter Bennett and Co. [1997] The Times 26 th February 1997) • Anderton v Clwyd CC [2002] EWCA Civ 933 • “an alternative method” (CPR 6. 8)

Service (cont) • Address for service=residence or place of business (see table in CPR 6. 5) - if acting by a solicitor can’t use personal service. Nangelan v Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust [2002] 1 WLR 1043). • Must agree service by fax or email (6 PD 3) - if fax number is on solicitor’s letterhead it connotes acceptance • Special rules re. service outside of jurisdiction (see CPR 6. 17 -6. 31) • Cranfield v Bridgegrove Ltd [2003] EWCA Civ 656 • Mersey Docks Property Holdings v Kilgour[2004] EWHC 1638.

Court’s power to dispense with service • CPR 6. 9 • Godwin v Swindon BC [2002] 1 WLR 997 • can be applied for where a party has miscalculated (Anderton • exceptional cases only after 3/7/02 - Wilkey & DAS Systems Ltd v BBC & Moyles [2003] 1 WLR 1 • minor errors also: Cranfield v Bridgegrove Ltd [2003] 1 WLR 2441, Home Office v Dorgan [2002] 1 WLR 3174

Filing • CPR 2. 3 (1) • Van Aken v Camden LBC [2003] 1 WLR 684 • PD 5 B. • www. courtservice. gov. uk for courts’ emails.