County Courts Act 1984
Part I Constitution and Administration
County courts and districts
1 County courts to be held for districts.
2 County court districts etc.
Places and times of sittings of courts
3 Places and times of sittings.
4 Use of public buildings for courts.
Judges
5 Judges of county courts.
District judges , assistant district judges and deputy district judges
6 District judges.
7Assistant district judges.
8Deputy district judges.
9 Qualifications for appointment as district judge.
10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11 Tenure of office.
12 Records of proceedings to be kept by district judges.
Miscellaneous provisions as to officers
13 Officers of court not to act as legal representativesin that court.
14 Penalty for assaulting officers.
Part II Jurisdiction and Transfer of Proceedings
Actions of contract and tort
15 General jurisdiction in actions of contract and tort.
16 Money recoverable by statute.
17 Abandonment of part of claim to give court jurisdiction.
18 Jurisdiction by agreement in certain actions.
19 Limitation of recoverable costs of actions of contract or tort commenced in High Court which could have been commenced in county court.
20 Rules for limitation of recoverable costs.
Recovery of land and cases where title in question
21 Actions for recovery of land and actions where title is in question.
22 Injunctions and declarations relating to land.
Equity proceedings
23 Equity jurisdiction.
24 Jurisdiction by agreement in certain equity proceedings.
Family provision proceedings
25 Jurisdiction under Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.
Admiralty proceedings
26 Districts for Admiralty purposes.
27 Admiralty jurisdiction.
28 Mode of exercise of Admiralty jurisdiction.
29 Costs of certain Admiralty proceedings commenced in High Court which could have been commenced in county court.
30 Restrictions on entertainment of actions in personam in collision and other similar cases.
31 Admiralty—interpretation.
Probate proceedings
32 Contentious probate jurisdiction.
33 Effect of order of judge in probate proceedings.
Miscellaneous provisions as to jurisdiction
34 Proceedings beyond jurisdiction.
35 Division of causes of action.
36 No action on judgment of High Court.
Exercise of jurisdiction and ancillary jurisdiction
37 Persons who may exercise jurisdiction of court.
38 Remedies available in county courts.
39 Ancillary powers of judge.
Transfer of proceedings
40 Transfer of proceedings to county court.
41 Transfer to High Court by order of High Court.
42 Transfer to High Court by order of a county court.
43 Jurisdiction to deal with counterclaim or set-off and counterclaim.
44 Transfer of interpleader proceedings from High Court to county court.
45 Costs in transferred cases.
Part III Procedure
Parties
46 Proceedings by the Crown
47 Minors.
48 Persons jointly liable.
49 Bankruptcy of plaintiff.
Interim payments in pending proceedings
50 Orders for interim payment.
Provisional damages for personal injuries
51 Orders for provisional damages for personal injuries.
Discovery and related procedures
52 Powers of court exercisable before commencement of action.
53 Power of court to order disclosure of documents, inspection of property etc. in proceedings for personal injuries or death.
54 Provisions supplementary to sections 52 and 53.
Witnesses and evidence
55 Penalty for neglecting or refusing to give evidence.
56 Examination of witnesses abroad.
57 Evidence of prisoners.
58 Persons who may take affidavits for use in county courts.
59 Evidence in Admiralty proceedings.
Right of audience
60 Right of audience.
61 Right of audience by direction of Lord Chancellor.
Mode of trial
62 General power of judge to determine questions of law and fact.
63 Assessors.
64 Reference to arbitration.
65 Power of judge to refer to registrar or referee.
Juries
66 Trial by jury.
67 Impanelling and swearing of jury.
68 Duty of judge to determine foreign law in jury trials.
Interest on debts and damages
69 Power to award interest on debts and damages.
Judgments and orders.
70 Finality of judgments and orders.
71 Satisfaction of judgments and orders for payment of money.
72 Set-off in cases of cross judgments in county courts and High Court.
73 Register of judgments and orders.
73A Provision for register under s.73 to be kept by body under contract to Lord Chancellor
74 Interest on judgment debts etc.
Practice directions
74A Practice directions.
General rules of procedure
75 County court rules.
76 Application of practice of High Court.
Part IV Appeals etc.
Appeals
77 Appeals: general provisions.
78 Assistance of Trinity masters for Court of Appeal in Admiralty proceedings.
79 Agreement not to appeal.
80 Judge’s note on appeal.
81 Powers of Court of Appeal on appeal from county court.
82 Decision of Court of Appeal on probate appeals to be final.
Certiorari and prohibition
83 Stay of proceedings in case of certiorari or prohibition.
84 Prohibition.
Part V Enforcement of Judgments and Orders
Execution against goods
85 Execution of judgments or orders for payment of money.
86 Execution of orders for payment by instalments.
87 Execution to be superseded on payment.
88 Power to stay execution.
Seizure and custody of goods etc.
89 Goods which may be seized.
90 Custody of goods seized.
91 Disposal of bills of exchange, etc., seized.
92 Penalty for rescuing goods seized.
Sale of goods seized
93 Period to elapse before sale.
94 Goods not to be sold except by brokers or appraisers.
95 Appoint-ment of brokers, appraisers etc.
96 Power to appoint bailiffs to act as brokers and appraisers.
97 Sales under executions to be public unless otherwise ordered.
98 Protection of registrar selling goods under execution without notice of claim by third party.
Claims in respect of goods seized
99 Effect of warrants of execution.
100 Sale of goods to which claim is made.
101 Interpleader by registrar.
102 Claims for rent where goods seized in execution.
Execution out of jurisdiction of court
103 Execution out of jurisdiction of court.
104 Information as to writs and warrants of execution.
Execution in county court of judgments and orders of, or enforceable as judgments and orders of, High Court
105 Execution in county court of judgments and orders of High Court.
Enforcement in High Court of judgments and orders of county courts
106 Transfer of judgments and orders to High Court.
Receivers and attachment of debts
107 Receivers.
108 Attachment of debts.
109 Administrative and clerical expenses of garnishees.
Miscellaneous provisions as to enforcement of judgments and orders
110 Penalty for non-attendance on judgment summons.
111 Provisions as to warrants of possession.
Part VI Administration Orders
112 Power to make administration order.
113 Notice of order and proof of debts.
114 Effect of administration order.
115 Execution by registrar.
116 Right of landlord to distrain notwithstanding order.
117 Appropriation of money paid under order and discharge of order.
Part VII Committals
118 Power to commit for contempt.
119 Issue and execution of orders of committal.
120 Prisons to which committals may be made.
121 Power of judge to order discharge.
122 Execution of committal orders out of jurisdiction of court.
Part VIII Responsibility and Protection of Officers
123 Registrar to have same responsibilities as sheriff.
124 Liability of bailiff for neglect to levy execution.
125 Irregularity in executing warrants.
126 Actions against bailiffs acting under warrants.
127 Warrants evidence of authority.
Part IX Miscellaneous and General
Financial Provisions
128 Fees.
129 Enforcement of fines.
130 Payment and application of fees, fines, etc.
131 Appointment of auditors and other officers.
132 Payment of salaries and expenses.
Summonses and other documents
133 Proof of service of summonses etc.
134 Summonses and other process to be under seal.
135 Penalty for falsely pretending to act under authority of court.
136 Penalty for falsely representing document to have been issued from county court.
137 Lessee to give notice of summons for recovery of land.
Forfeiture for non-payment of rent
138 Provisions as to forfeiture for non-payment of rent.
139 Service of summons and re-entry.
140 Interpretation of sections 138 and 139.
Solicitors
141. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
142 Power to enforce undertakings of solicitors.
143 Prohibition on persons other than solicitors receiving remuneration for business done in county courts.
Replevin
144 Replevin.
Power to raise monetary limits
145 Power to raise monetary limits.
General
146 Lords Commissioners to representLord Chancellorwhen Great Seal in commission.
147 Interpretation.
148 Amendments of other Acts, transitory provisions, transitional provisions savings and repeals.
149 Extent.
150 Commencement.
151 Short title.
SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 1 Replevin
1(1) The sheriff shall have no power or responsibility with...
2(1) It shall be a condition of any security given...
3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SCHEDULE 2 Amendments of Other Enactments
Part I
Trustee Act 1925 (c. 19)
1The following section shall be inserted after section 63 of...
Part II
Law of Property Act 1925 (c. 20)
2(1) At the end of the following sections of the...
3(1) At the end of the following sections of that...
4The following subsection shall be added at the end of...
5The following subsection shall be added at the end of...
6The following subsection shall be added at the end of...
7(1) Section 181 of that Act (dissolution of a corporation)...
8(1) Section 188 of that Act (power to direct division...
9The following paragraph shall be inserted after section 205(1)(iii) of...
10In Schedule 1 to that Act (transitional provisions)—
Part III
Administration of Estates Act 1925 (c. 23)
11(1) Section 17 of the Administration of Estates Act 1925...
12The following subsection shall be added at the end of...
13The following subsection shall be inserted after subsection (1) of...
14The following subsection shall be added at the end of...
15The following paragraph shall be inserted after paragraph 1(iii) of...
Part IV
Land Charges Act 1972 (c. 61)
16The following subsections shall be inserted after section 1(6) of...
17The following subsection shall be added at the end of...
18In subsection (4) of section 6 of that Act (the...
Part V Miscellaneous Amendments
19. . . . . . . . . ....
Settled Land Act 1925 (c. 18)
20In section 113 of the Settled Land Act 1925 (jurisdiction...
Crown Proceedings Act 1947 (c. 44)
21In subsection (3) of section 24 of the Crown Proceedings...
Arbitration Act 1950 (c. 27)
22In section 26 of the Arbitration Act 1950 (enforcement of...
Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 (c. 56)
23In section 53(1) of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954...
Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1960 (c. 61)
24In subsection (3) of section 76 of the Mental Health...
Administration of Justice Act 1960 (c. 65)
25In subsection (5) of section 13 of the Administration of...
26. . . . . . . . . ....
27, 28. . . . . . . . . ....
Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965 (c. 12)
29In subsection (3)(b) of section 42 of the Industrial and...
Hire-Purchase Act 1965 (c. 66)
30In subsection (3)(b) of section 42 of the Hire-Purchase Act...
Leasehold Reform Act 1967 (c. 88)
31In subsection (4) of section 21 of the Leasehold Reform...
Hovercraft Act 1968 (c. 59)
32In subsection (1) of section 2 of the Hovercraft Act...
Civil Evidence Act 1968 (c. 64)
33. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
34. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mines and Quarries (Tips) Act 1969 (c. 10)
35In section 28(3) of the Mines and Quarries (Tips) Act...
Taxes Management Act 1970 (c. 9)
36In section 66 of the Taxes Management Act 1970 (county...
37. . . . . . . . . ....
Administration of Justice Act 1970 (c. 31)
38In section 41 of the Administration of Justice Act 1970...
Courts Act 1971 (c. 23)
39In subsection (6) of section 45 of the Courts Act...
Attachment of Earnings Act 1971 (c. 32)
40In section 4 of the Attachment of Earnings Act 1971...
41In subsection (8) of section 23 of that Act (enforcement...
42In section 25 of that Act (general interpretation), in the...
Civil Evidence Act 1972 (c. 30)
43In subsection (8) of section 2 of the Civil Evidence...
Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (c. 18)
44In section 50 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (matrimonial...
Legal Aid Act 1974 (c. 4)
45In subsection (3) of section 23 of the Legal Aid...
46In subsection (3) of section 35 of that Act (enforcement...
Consumer Credit Act 1974 (c. 39)
47In subsection (5A) of section 139 of the Consumer Credit...
Friendly Societies Act 1974 (c. 46)
48In subsection (2)(b) of section 28 of the Friendly Societies...
Solicitors Act 1974 (c. 47)
49In subsection (2) of section 19 of the Solicitors Act...
50In subsection (4) of section 69 of that Act (action...
House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 24)
51In Part III of Schedule 1 of the House of...
Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 25)
52In Part III of Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland...
Evidence (Proceedings in other Jurisdictions) Act 1975 (c. 34)
53In subsection (2) of section 9 of the Evidence (Proceedings...
Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (c. 65)
54In subsection (4) of section 59 of the Sex Discrimination...
55In subsection (6) of section 66 of that Act (claims...
Children Act 1975 (c. 72)
56In subsection (2)(c) of section 100 of the Children Act...
Local Land Charges Act 1975 (c. 76)
57In section 10 of the Local Land Charges Act 1975...
Adoption Act 1976 (c. 36)
58In subsection (2)(c) of section 62 of the Adoption Act...
Insolvency Act 1976 (c. 60)
59In subsection (7) of section 11 of the Insolvency Act...
60In subsection (1) of section 12 of that Act (administration...
Race Relations Act 1976 (c. 74)
61In subsection (5) of section 50 of the Race Relations...
Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976 (c. 80)
62In subsection (2) of section 8 of the Rent (Agriculture,...
Rentcharges Act 1977 (c. 30)
63In section 10 of the Rentcharges Act 1977 (provisions supplemental...
Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977 (c. 32)
64In subsection (5) of section 4 of the Torts (Interference...
65In subsection (3) of section 9 of that Act (concurrent...
66In subsection (1) of section 14 of that Act (interpretation),...
Rent Act 1977 (c. 42)
67In subsection (2) of section 147 of the Rent Act...
Interpretation Act 1978 (c. 30)
68In Schedule 1 to the Interpretation Act 1978 (definitions) in...
Merchant Shipping Act 1979 (c. 39)
69In paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section 22 of...
Arbitration Act 1979 (c. 42)
70. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Charging Orders Act 1979 (c. 53)
71In subsection (2) of section 1 of the Charging Orders...
72In subsection (3) of section 5 of that Act (stop...
Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (c. 43)
73In section 87 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (enforcement...
74At the end of Schedule 6A to that Act (fines...
Judical Pensions Act 1981 (c. 20)
75In subsection (2) of section 34 of the Judical Pensions...
Contempt of Court Act 1981 (c. 49)
76In subsection (1)(b) of section 13 of the Contempt of...
Senior Courts Act 1981(c. 54)
77In subsection (5) of section 100 of the Supreme Court...
Administration of Justice Act 1982 (c. 53)
78In Part IV of Schedule 3 to the Administration of...
SCHEDULE 3 Transitory and Transitional Provisions and Savings
1—3. . . . . . . . . ....
Administration Orders
4(1) Any reference in Part VI of this Act to...
County court
5References in any enactment or document to a county court...
Former enactments
6Any document referring to any former enactment relating to county...
High bailiffs
7References to a high bailiff in any enactment, Order in...
Periods of time
8Where a period of time specified in an enactment repealed...
Offences
9Nothing in this Act renders a person liable to punishment...
10. . . . . . . . . ....
General
11Without prejudice to any express amendment made by this Act,...
12Nothing in this Schedule shall be taken as prejudicing the...
SCHEDULE 4 Repeals
TABLE OF DERIVATIONS

County Courts Act 1984

1984 c. 28

An Act to consolidate certain enactments relating to county courts.

C1I1C2C3Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Annotations:
Commencement Information
I1

Act wholly in force on 1. 8. 1984, see s. 150.

Editorial Information
X1

A Table showing the derivation of the provisions of this consolidation Act will be found at the end of the Act. The Table has no official status.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C2

Act (except ss. 9, 10, 13(1)(2), 60(1), 61, 75(7), 147) amended (1.1.1992) by S.I. 1991/2684, arts. 2(1), 4, Sch.1

C3

By Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53, SIF 39:1), s. 101(1), Sch. 12 para. 23; S.I. 1991/2208, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 it is provided (14.10.1991) that in relation to any time before the commencement of s. 70 of that 1991 Act (which came into force on 1.10.1992 by S.I. 1992/333, art. 2(2), Sch. 2) references to youth courts in any enactment amended by that 1991 Act shall be construed as references to juvenile courts