These Rules amend the Civil Procedure Rules 1998 (SI 1998/3132) for four purposes.

The first purpose, for which two new rules (rule 1.5 and rule 5.6) are inserted, is to make provision to support the principles (established by the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 and the Welsh Language Act 1993 respectively) that the Welsh language has official status in Wales and that in any legal proceedings in Wales the Welsh language may be used by any person who desires to use it. (The opportunity has also been taken to update the contents list of Part 5.)

The second purpose is to include provision reflecting the establishment of the Business and Property Courts, for which a new Part 57A is inserted.

The third purpose is to clarify the power of a District Judge to deal with proceedings to commit a person for breach of an injunction, and to remove provisions which relate to repealed legislation concerning certain injunctions and have no continuing practical application.

The fourth purpose is to amend rule 83.2(3)(e) to alter the permission requirements for the issue of writs or warrants following suspended orders (including suspended possession orders), to remove the requirement for permission where breach of the order was by way of failure to pay money.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.