The Civil Procedure Rules 1998

PART 3 E+W THE COURT'S CASE MANAGEMENT POWERS

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. 3 applied (with modifications) (1.10.2007) by The Court of Protection Rules 2007 (S.I. 2007/1744), rules 1, 184(a)

Contents of this Part

The court’s general powers of management	Rule 3.1
Court officer’s power to refer to a judge	Rule 3.2
Court’s power to make order of its own initiative	Rule 3.3
Power to strike out a statement of case	Rule 3.4
Judgment without trial after striking out	Rule 3.5
Setting aside judgment entered after striking out	Rule 3.6
Sanctions for non-payment of certain fees	Rule 3.7
Sanctions have effect unless defaulting party obtains relief	Rule 3.8
Relief from sanctions	Rule 3.9
General power of the court to rectify matters where there has been an error of procedure	Rule 3.10

The court’s general powers of management E+W

3.1—(1) The list of powers in this rule is in addition to any powers given to the court by any other rule or practice direction or by any other enactment or any powers it may otherwise have.

(2) Except where these Rules provide otherwise, the court may —

(a) extend or shorten the time for compliance with any rule, practice direction or court order (even if an application for extension is made after the time for compliance has expired);

(b) adjourn or bring forward a hearing;

(c) require a party or a party’s legal representative to attend the court;

(d) hold a hearing and receive evidence by telephone or by using any other method of direct oral communication;

(e) direct that part of any proceedings (such as a counterclaim) be dealt with as separate proceedings;

(f) stay^(GL) the whole or part of any proceedings or judgment either generally or until a specified date or event;

(g) consolidate proceedings;

(h) try two or more claims on the same occasion;

(i) direct a separate trial of any issue;

(j) decide the order in which issues are to be tried;

(k) exclude an issue from consideration;

(l) dismiss or give judgment on a claim after a decision on a preliminary issue;

[F1 (ll) order any party to file and serve an estimate of costs;]

(m) take any other step or make any other order for the purpose of managing the case and furthering the overriding objective.

(3) When the court makes an order, it may —

(a) make it subject to conditions, including a condition to pay a sum of money into court; and

(b) specify the consequence of failure to comply with the order or a condition.

(4) Where the court gives directions it [F2 will] take into account whether or not a party has complied with [F3 the Practice Direction (Pre-Action Conduct) and] any relevant pre-action protocol^(GL).

(5) The court may order a party to pay a sum of money into court if that party has, without good reason, failed to comply with a rule, practice direction or a relevant pre-action protocol.

(6) When exercising its power under paragraph (5) the court must have regard to—

(a) the amount in dispute; and

(b) the costs which the parties have incurred or which they may incur.

[F4 (6A) Where a party pays money into court following an order under paragraph (3) or (5), the money shall be security for any sum payable by that party to any other party in the proceedings F5 ....

F6 ...]

(7) A power of the court under these Rules to make an order includes a power to vary or revoke the order.

Textual Amendments

F1 Rule 3.1(2)(ll) inserted (1.10.2005) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.3) Rules 2005 (S.I. 2005/2292), rules 1(c), 3

F2 Word in rule 3.1(4) substituted (6.4.2009) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.3) Rules 2008 (S.I. 2008/3327), rules 1, 3(a)

F3 Words in rule 3.1(4) inserted (6.4.2009) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.3) Rules 2008 (S.I. 2008/3327), rules 1, 3(b)

F4 Rule 3.1(6A) and words inserted (26.4.1999) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 1999 (S.I. 1999/1008), rules 1, 4

F5 Words in rule 3.1(6A) omitted (6.4.2007) by virtue of The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.3) Rules 2006 (S.I. 2006/3435), rules 1, 3(a)

F6 Words in rule 3.1(6A) omitted (6.4.2007) by virtue of The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.3) Rules 2006 (S.I. 2006/3435), rules 1, 3(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 Rule 3.1(2)(a) applied (7.10.2001) by The Railway Administration Order Rules 2001 (S.I. 2001/3352), rules 1.1, 9.8(2)

C3 Rule 3.1(2)(a) applied (1.11.2009) by The Water Industry (Special Administration) Rules 2009 (S.I. 2009/2477), rules 2, 121(2)

Commencement Information

I1 Rule 3.1 in force at 26.4.1999, see Signature

Court officer’s power to refer to a judge E+W

3.2  Where a step is to be taken by a court officer—

(a) the court officer may consult a judge before taking that step;

(b) the step may be taken by a judge instead of the court officer.

Commencement Information

I2 Rule 3.2 in force at 26.4.1999, see Signature

Court’s power to make order of its own initiative E+W

3.3—(1) Except where a rule or some other enactment provides otherwise, the court may exercise its powers on an application or of its own initiative.

(Part 23 sets out the procedure for making an application)

(2) Where the court proposes to make an order of its own initiative—

(a) it may give any person likely to be affected by the order an opportunity to make representations; and

(b) where it does so it must specify the time by and the manner in which the representations must be made.

(3) Where the court proposes—

(a) to make an order of its own initiative; and

(b) to hold a hearing to decide whether to make the order,

it must give each party likely to be affected by the order at least 3 days' notice of the hearing.

(4) The court may make an order of its own initiative without hearing the parties or giving them an opportunity to make representations.

(5) Where the court has made an order under paragraph (4)—

(a) a party affected by the order may apply to have it set aside^(GL), varied or stayed^(GL); and

(b) the order must contain a statement of the right to make such an application.

(6) An application under paragraph (5)(a) must be made—

(a) within such period as may be specified by the court; or

(b) if the court does not specify a period, not more than 7 days after the date on which the order was served on the party making the application.

[F7 (7) If the court of its own initiative strikes out a statement of case or dismisses an application [F8 (including an application for permission to appeal or for permission to apply for judicial review)], and it considers that the claim or application is totally without merit—

(a) the court’s order must record that fact; and

(b) the court must at the same time consider whether it is appropriate to make a civil restraint order.]

Textual Amendments

F7 Rule 3.3(7) inserted (1.10.2004) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.2) Rules 2004 (S.I. 2004/2072), rules 1(b), 4

F8 Words in rule 3.3(7) inserted (1.10.2005) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.3) Rules 2005 (S.I. 2005/2292), rules 1(c), 4

Commencement Information

I3 Rule 3.3 in force at 26.4.1999, see Signature

Power to strike out a statement of case E+W

3.4—(1) In this rule and rule 3.5, reference to a statement of case includes reference to part of a statement of case.

(2) The court may strike out^(GL) a statement of case if it appears to the court—

(a) that the statement of case discloses no reasonable grounds for bringing or defending the claim;

(b) that the statement of case is an abuse of the court’s process or is otherwise likely to obstruct the just disposal of the proceedings; or

(c) that there has been a failure to comply with a rule, practice direction or court order.

(3) When the court strikes out a statement of case it may make any consequential order it considers appropriate.

(4) Where—

(a) the court has struck out a claimant’s statement of case;

(b) the claimant has been ordered to pay costs to the defendant; and

(c) before the claimant pays those costs, he starts another claim against the same defendant, arising out of facts which are the same or substantially the same as those relating to the claim in which the statement of case was struck out,

the court may, on the application of the defendant, stay^(GL) that other claim until the costs of the first claim have been paid.

(5) Paragraph (2) does not limit any other power of the court to strike out^(GL) a statement of case.

[F9 (6) If the court strikes out a claimant’s statement of case and it considers that the claim is totally without merit—

(a) the court’s order must record that fact; and

(b) the court must at the same time consider whether it is appropriate to make a civil restraint order.]

Textual Amendments

F9 Rule 3.4(6) inserted (1.10.2004) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.2) Rules 2004 (S.I. 2004/2072), rules 1(b), 5

Commencement Information

I4 Rule 3.4 in force at 26.4.1999, see Signature

Judgment without trial after striking out E+W

3.5—(1) This rule applies where—

(a) the court makes an order which includes a term that the statement of case of a party shall be struck out if the party does not comply with the order; and

(b) the party against whom the order was made does not comply with it.

(2) A party may obtain judgment with costs by filing a request for judgment if—

(a) the order referred to in paragraph (1)(a) relates to the whole of a statement of case; and

(b) where the party wishing to obtain judgment is the claimant, the claim is for—

(i) a specified amount of money;

(ii) an amount of money to be decided by the court;

(iii) delivery of goods where the claim form gives the defendant the alternative of paying their value; or

(iv) any combination of these remedies.

[F10 (3) Where judgment is obtained under this rule in a case to which paragraph (2)(b)(iii) applies, it will be judgment requiring the defendant to deliver the goods, or (if he does not do so) pay the value of the goods as decided by the court (less any payments made).]

[F11 (4)]  The request must state that the right to enter judgment has arisen because the court’s order has not been complied with.

[F12 (5)]  A party must make an application in accordance with Part 23 if he wishes to obtain judgment under this rule in a case to which paragraph (2) does not apply.

Textual Amendments

F10 Rule 3.5(3) inserted (2.5.2000) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2000 (S.I. 2000/221), rules 1(b), 3(c)

F11 Rule 3.5(3) renumbered as rule 3.5(4) (2.5.2000) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2000 (S.I. 2000/221), rules 1(b), 3(a)

F12 Rule 3.5(4) renumbered as rule 3.5(5) (2.5.2000) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2000 (S.I. 2000/221), rules 1(b), 3(b)

Commencement Information

I5 Rule 3.5 in force at 26.4.1999, see Signature

Setting aside judgment entered after striking out E+W

3.6—(1) A party against whom the court has entered judgment under rule 3.5 may apply to the court to set the judgment aside.

(2) An application under paragraph (1) must be made not more than 14 days after the judgment has been served on the party making the application.

(3) If the right to enter judgment had not arisen at the time when judgment was entered, the court must set aside^(GL) the judgment.

(4) If the application to set aside^(GL) is made for any other reason, rule 3.9 (relief from sanctions) shall apply.

Commencement Information

I6 Rule 3.6 in force at 26.4.1999, see Signature

Sanctions for non—payment of certain fees E+W

3.7— [F13 (1) This rule applies where—

(a) an allocation questionnaire or a [F14 pre-trial check list (listing questionnaire)] is filed without payment of the fee specified by the relevant Fees Order;

(b) the court dispenses with the need for an allocation questionnaire or a [F15 pre-trial check list] or both;

(c) these Rules do not require an allocation questionnaire or a [F16 pre-trial check list] to be filed in relation to the claim in question; F17 ...

(d) the court has made an order giving permission to proceed with a claim for judicial review [F18 ; or]

[F19 (e) the fee payable for a hearing specified by the relevant Fees Order is not paid.]

• (Rule 26.3 provides for the court to dispense with the need for an allocation questionnaire and rules 28.5 and 29.6 provide for the court to dispense with the need for a [F20 pre-trial check list])

• (Rule 54.12 provides for the service of the order giving permission to proceed with a claim for judicial review)

(2) The court will serve a notice on the claimant requiring payment of the fee specified in the relevant Fees Order if, at the time the fee is due, the claimant has not paid it or made an application for [F21 full or part] remission.]

(3) The notice will specify the date by which the claimant must pay the fee.

(4) If the claimant does not—

(a) pay the fee; or

(b) make an application for [F22 full or part] remission of the fee,

by the date specified in the notice—

(i) [F23 the claim will automatically be struck out without further order of the court]; and

(ii) the claimant [F24 will] be liable for the costs which the defendant has incurred unless the court orders otherwise.

(Rule 44.12 provides for the basis of assessment where a right to costs arises under this rule [F25 and contains provisions about when a costs order is deemed to have been made and applying for an order under section 194(3) of the Legal Services Act 2007] )

[F26 (5) Where an application for—

(a) full or part remission of a fee is refused, the court will serve notice on the claimant requiring payment of the full fee by the date specified in the notice; or

(b) part remission of a fee is granted, the court will serve notice on the claimant requiring payment of the balance of the fee by the date specified in the notice.]

(6) If the claimant does not pay the fee by the date specified in the notice—

(a) [F27 the claim will automatically be struck out without further order of the court]; and

(b) the claimant [F28 will] be liable for the costs which the defendant has incurred unless the court orders otherwise.

[F29 (7) If—

(a) a claimant applies to have the claim reinstated; and

(b) the court grants relief,

the relief [F30 will] be conditional on the claimant either paying the fee or filing evidence of [F31 full or part] remission of the fee within the period specified in paragraph (8).

(8) The period referred to in paragraph (7) is—

(a) if the order granting relief is made at a hearing at which a claimant is present or represented, 2 days from the date of the order;

(b) in any other case, 7 days from the date of service of the order on the claimant.]

Textual Amendments

F13 Rule 3.7(1)(2) substituted (2.10.2000) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 4) Rules 2000 (S.I. 2000/2092), rules 1, 4

F14 Words in rule 3.7(1)(a) substituted (2.12.2002) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2002 (S.I. 2002/2058), rules 1(b), 3(a)

F15 Words in rule 3.7(1)(b) substituted (2.12.2002) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2002 (S.I. 2002/2058), rules 1(b), 3(b)

F16 Words in rule 3.7(1)(c) substituted (2.12.2002) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2002 (S.I. 2002/2058), rules 1(b), 3(b)

F17 Word in rule 3.7(1)(c) omitted (6.4.2008) by virtue of The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.2) Rules 2007 (S.I. 2007/3543), rules 1(b), 3(a)

F18 Word in rule 3.7(1)(d) substituted (6.4.2008) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.2) Rules 2007 (S.I. 2007/3543), rules 1(b), 3(b)

F19 Rule 3.7(1)(e) inserted (6.4.2008) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.2) Rules 2007 (S.I. 2007/3543), rules 1(b), 3(c)

F20 Words in rule 3.7(1) substituted (2.12.2002) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2002 (S.I. 2002/2058), rules 1(b), 3(b)

F21 Words in rule 3.7(2) substituted (6.4.2008) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.2) Rules 2007 (S.I. 2007/3543), rules 1(b), 3(d)

F22 Words in rule 3.7(4)(b) substituted (6.4.2008) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.2) Rules 2007 (S.I. 2007/3543), rules 1(b), 3(e)

F23 Words in rule 3.7(4)(i) substituted (1.10.2005) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.3) Rules 2005 (S.I. 2005/2292), rules 1(c), 5(a)

F24 Word in rule 3.7(4)(ii) substituted (1.10.2008) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2008 (S.I. 2008/2178), rules 1(2), 4(a)

F25 Words in rule 3.7(4)(ii) inserted (1.10.2008) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2008 (S.I. 2008/2178), rules 1(2), 4(b)

F26 Rule 3.7(5) substituted (6.4.2008) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.2) Rules 2007 (S.I. 2007/3543), rules 1(b), 3(f)

F27 Words in rule 3.7(6)(a) substituted (1.10.2005) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.3) Rules 2005 (S.I. 2005/2292), rules 1(c), 5(b)

F28 Word in rule 3.7(6)(b) substituted (1.10.2008) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2008 (S.I. 2008/2178), rules 1(2), 4(c)

F29 Rule 3.7(7)(8) substituted for rule 3.7(7) (2.6.2003) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2003 (S.I. 2003/1242), rules 1, 4

F30 Word in rule 3.7(7) substituted (1.10.2008) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2008 (S.I. 2008/2178), rules 1(2), 4(d)

F31 Words in rule 3.7(7) substituted (6.4.2008) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.2) Rules 2007 (S.I. 2007/3543), rules 1(b), 3(g)

Commencement Information

I7 Rule 3.7 in force at 26.4.1999, see Signature

[F32 3.7A— [F33 (1) This rule applies where—

(a) a defendant files a counterclaim without—

(i) payment of the fee specified by the relevant Fees Order; or

(ii) making an application for full or part remission of the fee; or

(b) the proceedings continue on the counterclaim alone and—

(i) an allocation questionnaire or a pre-trial check list (listing questionnaire) is filed without payment of the fee specified by the relevant Fees Order;

(ii) the court dispenses with the need for an allocation questionnaire or a pre-trial check list or both;

(iii) these Rules do not require an allocation questionnaire or a pre-trial checklist to be filed in relation to the claim in question; or

(iv) the fee payable for a hearing specified by the relevant Fees Order is not paid.] 

(2) The court will serve a notice on the defendant requiring payment of the fee specified in the relevant Fees Order if, at the time the fee is due, the defendant has not paid it or made an application for [F34 full or part] remission.

(3) The notice will specify the date by which the defendant must pay the fee.

(4) If the defendant does not—

(a) pay the fee; or

(b) make an application for [F35 full or part] remission of the fee,

by the date specified in the notice, the counterclaim will automatically be struck out without further order of the court.

[F36 (5) Where an application for—

(a) full or part remission of a fee is refused, the court will serve notice on the defendant requiring payment of the full fee by the date specified in the notice; or

(b) part remission of a fee is granted, the court will serve notice on the defendant requiring payment of the balance of the fee by the date specified in the notice.]

(6) If the defendant does not pay the fee by the date specified in the notice, the counterclaim will automatically be struck out without further order of the court.

(7) If—

(a) the defendant applies to have the counterclaim reinstated; and

(b) the court grants relief,

the relief will be conditional on the defendant either paying the fee or filing evidence of [F37 full or part] remission of the fee within the period specified in paragraph (8).

(8) The period referred to in paragraph (7) is—

(a) if the order granting relief is made at a hearing at which the defendant is present or represented, 2 days from the date of the order;

(b) in any other case, 7 days from the date of service of the order on the defendant.]

Textual Amendments

F32 Rule 3.7A inserted (1.10.2005) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.3) Rules 2005 (S.I. 2005/2292), rules 1(c), 6

F33 Rule 3.7A(1) substituted (6.4.2008) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.2) Rules 2007 (S.I. 2007/3543), rules 1(b), 4(a)

F34 Words in rule 3.7A(2) substituted (6.4.2008) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.2) Rules 2007 (S.I. 2007/3543), rules 1(b), 4(b)

F35 Words in rule 3.7A(4)(b) substituted (6.4.2008) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.2) Rules 2007 (S.I. 2007/3543), rules 1(b), 4(c)

F36 Rule 3.7A(5) substituted (6.4.2008) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.2) Rules 2007 (S.I. 2007/3543), rules 1(b), 4(d)

F37 Words in rule 3.7A(7) substituted (6.4.2008) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.2) Rules 2007 (S.I. 2007/3543), rules 1(b), 4(e)

[F38 Sanctions for dishonouring cheque E+W

3.7B— (1) This rule applies where any fee is paid by cheque and that cheque is subsequently dishonoured.

(2) The court will serve a notice on the paying party requiring payment of the fee which will specify the date by which the fee must be paid.

(3) If the fee is not paid by the date specified in the notice—

(a) where the fee is payable by the claimant, the claim will automatically be struck out without further order of the court;

(b) where the fee is payable by the defendant, the defence will automatically be struck out without further order of the court,

and the paying party shall be liable for the costs which any other party has incurred unless the court orders otherwise.

(Rule 44.12 provides for the basis of assessment where a right to costs arises under this rule)

(4) If—

(a) the paying party applies to have the claim or defence reinstated; and

(b) the court grants relief,

the relief shall be conditional on that party paying the fee within the period specified in paragraph (5).

(5) The period referred to in paragraph (4) is—

(a) if the order granting relief is made at a hearing at which the paying party is present or represented, 2 days from the date of the order;

(b) in any other case, 7 days from the date of service of the order on the paying party.

(6) For the purposes of this rule, “claimant” includes a Part 20 claimant and “claim form” includes a Part 20 claim.]

Textual Amendments

F38 Rule 3.7B inserted (1.10.2005) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.3) Rules 2005 (S.I. 2005/2292), rules 1(c), 7

Sanctions have effect unless defaulting party obtains relief E+W

3.8—(1) Where a party has failed to comply with a rule, practice direction or court order, any sanction for failure to comply imposed by the rule, practice direction or court order has effect unless the party in default applies for and obtains relief from the sanction.

(Rule 3.9 sets out the circumstances which the court may consider on an application to grant relief from a sanction)

(2) Where the sanction is the payment of costs, the party in default may only obtain relief by appealing against the order for costs.

(3) Where a rule, practice direction or court order—

(a) requires a party to do something within a specified time, and

(b) specifies the consequence of failure to comply,

the time for doing the act in question may not be extended by agreement between the parties.

Commencement Information

I8 Rule 3.8 in force at 26.4.1999, see Signature

Relief from sanctions E+W

3.9—(1) On an application for relief from any sanction imposed for a failure to comply with any rule, practice direction or court order the court will consider all the circumstances including—

(a) the interests of the administration of justice;

(b) whether the application for relief has been made promptly;

(c) whether the failure to comply was intentional;

(d) whether there is a good explanation for the failure;

(e) the extent to which the party in default has complied with other rules, practice directions, court orders and any relevant pre-action protocol^(GL);

(f) whether the failure to comply was caused by the party or his legal representative;

(g) whether the trial date or the likely trial date can still be met if relief is granted;

(h) the effect which the failure to comply had on each party; and

(i) the effect which the granting of relief would have on each party.

(2) An application for relief must be supported by evidence.

Commencement Information

I9 Rule 3.9 in force at 26.4.1999, see Signature

General power of the court to rectify matters where there has been an error of procedure E+W

3.10  Where there has been an error of procedure such as a failure to comply with a rule or practice direction—

(a) the error does not invalidate any step taken in the proceedings unless the court so orders; and

(b) the court may make an order to remedy the error.

Commencement Information

I10 Rule 3.10 in force at 26.4.1999, see Signature

[F39 Power of the court to make civil restraint orders E+W

3.11.   A practice direction may set out—

(a) the circumstances in which the court has the power to make a civil restraint order against a party to proceedings;

(b) the procedure where a party applies for a civil restraint order against another party; and

(c) the consequences of the court making a civil restraint order.]

Textual Amendments

F39 Rule 3.11 inserted (1.10.2004) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.2) Rules 2004 (S.I. 2004/2072), rules 1(b), 6