Practical Law

Regional courts have been put centre stage, with the introduction of the Business and Property Courts (B&PCs) in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff Leeds, and Manchester – and Liverpool and Newcastle to follow soon. With thanks to Sue Harris, Immediate Past President of the Leeds Law Society, Beverley Barton, one of the editors in the Practical Law Dispute Resolution team, … Continue reading Interview with HHJ Klein: part 2 of 2: Business & Property courts, HMCTS modernisation and the future of English civil justice →

Regional courts have been put centre stage, with the introduction of the Business and Property Courts (B&PCs) in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff Leeds, and Manchester – and Liverpool and Newcastle to follow soon. With thanks to Sue Harris, Immediate Past President of the Leeds Law Society, Beverley Barton, one of the editors in the Practical Law … Continue reading Interview with HHJ Klein: part 1 of 2: civil courts structure review, Business & Property Courts and Shorter and Flexible Trials Schemes →

Papers from the CPRC meeting on 6 October 2017 became publicly available on 7 November 2017. The papers, including the programme of forthcoming CPRC work, again highlight just how busy the CPRC is, on a huge range of fronts. There are also hints about how it is often put under pressure to consider things at … Continue reading CPRC Snippets: October 2017 →

Papers from the CPRC meeting on 7 July 2017 became publicly available on 2 November 2017. A lot of water has flowed under the bridge in the intervening four months. Nonetheless, there are still a few snippets of interest.

Beverley Barton, one of the editors in the Practical Law Dispute Resolution team, was delighted to have the opportunity to catch up with Susan Acland-Hood, Chief Executive of Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service. In Part One of a series of blogs, Susan talked about some of the challenges she faces in her role, and … Continue reading Interview with Susan Acland-Hood, Chief Executive, HMCTS: Part Three: the challenges and the modernisation programme →

Beverley Barton, one of the editors in the Practical Law Dispute Resolution team, was delighted to have the opportunity to catch up with Susan Acland-Hood, Chief Executive of Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service. In Part One of a series of blogs, Susan talked about some of the challenges she faces in her role, and … Continue reading Interview with Susan Acland-Hood, Chief Executive, HMCTS: Part Two: early impressions →

Beverley Barton, one of the editors in the Practical Law Dispute Resolution team, was delighted to have the opportunity to catch up with Susan Acland-Hood, Chief Executive of Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service. In Part One of a series of blogs, Susan talks about some of the challenges she faces in her role, and … Continue reading Interview with Susan Acland-Hood, Chief Executive, HMCTS: Part One: the challenge and my qualifications for the role →

The approved minutes and papers from the June 2017 Civil Procedure Rule Committee (CPRC) meeting were made publicly available on 10 July 2017.

4 July saw the launch of the Business and Property Courts in London. This was the first of a series of launches, with Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Bristol and Cardiff following.

The approved minutes and papers from the May 2017 Civil Procedure Rule Committee (CPRC) meeting were made publicly available on 21 June 2017.

The approved minutes and papers from the April 2017 Civil Procedure Rule Committee (CPRC) meeting became publicly available on 15 May 2017. There was a varied agenda, and a considerable number of developments of real interest.

The approved minutes and papers from the 3 March 2017 Civil Procedure Rule Committee (CPRC) meeting became publicly available on 15 May 2017.

It is always dangerous to speculate, but might the tweaks to Jackson LJ’s seminars – increasing the focus on judicial review (JR) (which was the main topic in both London and Cardiff) – suggest that he has identified a real need to find solutions other than an extension of the fixed costs regime, for certain … Continue reading Fixed recoverable costs – The Big Debate: the judicial review dimension – some key themes from Jackson LJ’s London seminar on 13 March 2017 →

The approved minutes and papers from the 3 February 2017 Civil Procedure Rules Committee (CPRC) meeting became publicly available on 3 April 2017. Many of the matters discussed will have moved on considerably in the meantime: for example, the proposed changes to PD 3E in light of SARPD Oil took effect on 6 April, and … Continue reading CPRC Snippets: February 2017 →

The approved minutes of the December 2016 Civil Procedure Rule Committee (CPRC) meeting became publicly available on 17 February 2017. Quite a number of the matters have moved on significantly in the meantime – not least, as several of the procedural changes discussed are being implemented as part of the 88th CPR Update.

One of the big stories for dispute resolution lawyers this year is Jackson LJ’s review of the fixed recoverable costs regime. Jackson LJ is due to report back to the Lord Chief Justice and the Master of the Rolls by 31 July 2017, so there will be an intense programme of work.

Papers from the November 2016 Civil Procedure Rule Committee (CPRC) meeting were circulated on 13 December 2016, along with the approved minutes. Topics under consideration included: CPRC sub-committees. The use of legal advisers. References to the European Court. Tackling “schedule” rules. Applications for permission to issue a warrant of possession in the County Court. Appeals. There … Continue reading CPRC Snippets: November 2016 →

Papers from the October 2016 CPRC meeting were circulated on 23 November 2016, along with the approved minutes. Some key points of interest include: CPRC provisional work programme. Legal Advisers Pilot. Electronic Pilot Working Scheme. “Hot Tubbing”. Court reform. Court of Appeal.

Not for the first time, the latest set of Civil Procedure Rule Committee (CPRC) papers have been just like buses – none for ages, then three sets all at once. Papers from the June and July CPRC meetings were circulated on 18 October, along with the minutes of the May meeting. The papers from the … Continue reading CPRC Snippets: May, June and July 2016 →

It is nearly one year since the introduction of the Shorter and Flexible Trials Pilot Schemes in the Rolls Building courts. Practical Law Dispute Resolution editor, Beverley Barton, asked Mr Justice Birss, who has taken an active role in developing the schemes, for: An update on how the schemes are working. How they might be developed. … Continue reading The Shorter & Flexible Trials Pilot Schemes: a progress report →

The problem has been acknowledged The need to find a solution for dealing with the increasing numbers of litigants in person (LiPs) has been recognised at a high level:

Two recent cases juxtaposed illustrate the courts’ dilemma when dealing with litigants in person in the post-Jackson environment. Whilst the rules now place increased emphasis on the need for compliance with court rules, orders and directions (and there are strict criteria for the grant of relief from sanctions), against that is the concern to provide … Continue reading The vexing issue of litigants in person and civil procedure: part 1 →

Welcome back to CPRC Snippets – it has been a while!

I was delighted to have the chance to put a few questions to Sir Colin Birss, judge of the High Court Chancery Division and nominated judge of the Patents Court. In part 1 of my interview with Sir Colin, he talked about his career and interests. In part 2, he gave some perspectives on current … Continue reading An interview with Mr Justice Birss: part 3/3: crystal-ball gazing →

I was delighted to have the chance to put a few questions to Sir Colin Birss, judge of the High Court Chancery Division and nominated judge of the Patents Court. In part 1 of my interview with Sir Colin, he talked about his career and interests. In part 2, he gives some perspectives on current … Continue reading An interview with Mr Justice Birss: part 2/3: legal insights →

I was delighted to have the chance to put a few questions to Sir Colin Birss, judge of the High Court Chancery Division and nominated judge of the Patents Court. In part 1 of my interview with Sir Colin, he talks about his career and interests. In part 2, he gives some perspectives on current developments in litigation … Continue reading An interview with Mr Justice Birss: part 1/3: getting personal →

Papers from the 4 December 2015 CPRC meeting were published on 11 January 2016. This was the last meeting chaired by Richards LJ before his retirement. The Master of the Rolls, and others, thanked him for his excellent contribution to the CPRC. As this was the last meeting of 2015, not surprisingly, much of the … Continue reading CPRC Snippets: December 2015 →

Papers from the 13 November CPRC meeting were published on 8 December 2015. It is a rather more streamlined set this month, but there is still plenty of interest!

Papers from the 9 October CPRC meeting were published on 17 November 2015. It was the first meeting of the new legal year so there was a full agenda. Despite the time lapse between meetings taking place and the papers becoming publicly available, they provide a useful snapshot of how work has been progressing on … Continue reading CPRC Snippets: October 2015 →

I was delighted to have the chance to put a few questions to Susan Dunn, co-founder of Harbour Litigation Funding, and a founding director of The Association of Litigation Funders in the UK. In part 1 of my interview with Susan, she talked about her career and interests. In part 2, she gave some perspectives on litigation … Continue reading An interview with Susan Dunn: part 4/4: the bigger picture →

I was delighted to have the chance to put a few questions to Susan Dunn, co-founder of Harbour Litigation Funding, and a founding director of The Association of Litigation Funders in the UK. In part 1 of my interview with Susan, she talked about her career and interests. In part 2, she gave some perspectives on litigation … Continue reading An interview with Susan Dunn: part 3/4: crystal ball gazing →

A difficult question to answer…and one that generated lots of debate at the recent Westminster Legal Policy Forum Keynote Seminar, “Modernising the courts and tribunals service – infrastructure, efficiency and access to justice”, which we both attended.

I was delighted to have the chance to put a few questions to Susan Dunn, co-founder of Harbour Litigation Funding, and a founding director of The Association of Litigation Funders in the UK. In part 1 of my interview with Susan, she talked about her career and interests. In part 2, she gives some perspectives on … Continue reading An interview with Susan Dunn: part 2/4: thoughts on funding →

I was delighted to have the chance to put a few questions to Susan Dunn, co-founder of Harbour Litigation Funding, and a founding director of The Association of Litigation Funders in the UK. Susan has been described by Litigation Funding Magazine as the “Grand Dame” of litigation funding, and has featured in The Lawyer’s Hot 100 … Continue reading An interview with Susan Dunn: part 1/4: getting personal →

In two blog posts earlier today, I outlined items considered by the CPRC that are being implemented as part of the 81st CPR update, and then provided a round up of some interesting planned refinements to the costs management regime now in the pipeline. This blog post looks at some of the other items that were … Continue reading CPRC Snippets: July 2015: work in progress – other points considered →

Earlier today, I set out some of the key “done and dusted” items considered by the CPRC at its meeting in July, that are being implemented as part of the 81st CPR update. In this blog post (and a third one to follow), I turn to ongoing projects being worked on by the CPRC. This blog … Continue reading CPRC Snippets: July 2015: work in progress – costs management in the spotlight →

As expected, the July CPRC meeting (the last before the end of term) had a packed agenda, as the committee signed off on a number of changes being effected in the SI and making document for the 81st CPR update, which will take effect (mostly) on 1 October 2015. The committee also found time to … Continue reading CPRC Snippets: July 2015: done and dusted – 81st CPR update →

I recently had the pleasure of putting a few questions to Colin Passmore, Senior Partner of international law firm, Simmons & Simmons. In the third part of the interview, Colin considers what the future might hold for civil litigation in England and Wales. In Part 1, Colin told us about his background and early career. In … Continue reading An interview with Colin Passmore: part 3/3: crystal ball gazing →

I recently had the pleasure of putting a few questions to Colin Passmore, Senior Partner of international law firm, Simmons & Simmons. In the second part of the interview, Colin gives some perspectives on recent legal developments and current issues. In Part 1, Colin told us about his background and early career. In Part 3, he will consider what … Continue reading An interview with Colin Passmore: part 2/3: legal perspectives →

I was delighted to have the chance to put a few questions to Colin Passmore, Senior Partner of international law firm, Simmons & Simmons. Colin joined the firm in 1986 and became a partner in 1990. He was appointed Senior Partner in 2011 (and subsequently re-elected for a second term) but continues to maintain a litigation … Continue reading An interview with Colin Passmore: part 1/3: getting personal →

An undercurrent discernible from the papers this month is the potential tension between HMCTS’ and the MoJ’s planned agenda for change as against the available judicial resources.

The May papers provide a useful snapshot of how work is progressing on a number of ongoing initiatives.

Recent reports show how our approach to civil justice is being shaped by the current age of austerity.

The Civil Procedure Rule Committee (CPRC) is an advisory non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Ministry of Justice. It is responsible for making and amending the Civil Procedure Rules, and it meets every month to discuss its work. Following each meeting, I will write a post covering the more significant issues that were discussed. Here are … Continue reading CPRC Snippets: March and April 2015 →

Beverley Barton, an editor in the Practical Law Dispute Resolution team, recently had the opportunity to interview Sir Vivian Ramsey, the former head of the TCC. In this third and final part of the interview, Sir Vivian considers what the future might hold for civil litigation in England and Wales. In Part 1, Sir Vivian told us about his background … Continue reading An interview with Sir Vivian Ramsey: Part 3/3 – crystal ball gazing →

Beverley Barton, an editor in the Practical Law Dispute Resolution team, recently had the opportunity to interview Sir Vivian Ramsey, the former head of the TCC. In the second part of the interview, Sir Vivian gives some perspectives on recent legal developments. In Part 1, Sir Vivian told us about his background and early career. In Part 3, he will … Continue reading An interview with Sir Vivian Ramsey: Part 2/3 – legal insights →

Until November 2014, Sir Vivian Ramsey was a High Court judge and had been the judge in charge of the TCC. Interestingly, he was also the judge with responsibility for overseeing implementation of the Jackson reforms. He has recently joined the Singapore International Commercial Court. Sir Vivian graduated with a degree in engineering science from … Continue reading An interview with Sir Vivian Ramsey: Part 1/3 – getting personal →