Please note that Birkenhead County Court are issuing some new guidance for existing small claims, fast track and multi-track matters.
30th March 2020
Small claims:
If you have a current small claim matter which has already been given standard directions, you should note that you will receive an order in due course which will move the final hearing date forward by approximately 4 months. The date by which you should exchange and file evidence will also move to 14 days before the new hearing date. The court fee will fall due 28 days before the new hearing date.
Fast track:
- If you already have a standard order for fast track directions in an ongoing case, you may add 12 weeks to each direction deadline. The trial window or fixture will then be pushed back by 12 weeks also.
- On newer cases where you have not yet received a directions order, the deadlines will be the usual timescales plus an additional 12 weeks.
Multi-track
- If you have an existing multi track directions order, you may add 12 weeks to each direction deadline and the trial window will also be pushed back by 12 weeks.
- Any new matter which requires a CCMC will be listed on FAD after 4 months from now.
*These directions have been extended to make allowances for the current general public health emergency resulting from the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Pursuant to CPR 2.11 the court orders that dates set out below may be varied by the written agreement of the parties (save insofar as such agreement would affect the trial date) by up to 90 days.
If applications prove necessary to further extend dates for compliance and/or for relief from sanctions, the parties are reminded of their duty to help the court to further the overriding objective (CPR 1.3). Unreasonable opposition to an application that has genuinely proved necessary as a consequence of the above public health emergency may be penalised in costs.***
HMCTS| Birkenhead County Court