The Civil Procedure Rules 1998

[F1 Contents of statements of case E+W

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 [F2 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.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Pt. 57 inserted (15.10.2001) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2001 (S.I. 2001/1388), rule 1(b), Sch. (with rule 19)

F2 Words in rule 57.7(4)(b) substituted (6.4.2008) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.2) Rules 2007 (S.I. 2007/3543), rules 1(b), 8