117th Practice Direction Update to the Civil Procedure Rules – Coronavirus Pandemic related.

New Practice Direction 51Z to Stay Possession Proceedings

The Master of the Rolls and the Lord Chancellor have signed Practice Direction 51Z (PD) in relation to possession proceedings during the Coronavirus pandemic. It follows the Coronavirus Act 2020 emergency legislation and complements the provisions herein to prevent imminent evictions and delay possession proceedings.

The PD is effective immediately ie from today, 27^th March 2020

The main changes effected by this PD are:

• All proceedings for possession brought under CPR Part 55 and all proceedings seeking to enforce an order for possession by a warrant or writ of possession are stayed for a period of 90 days from today, 27^th March 2020.
• Claims for injunctive relief are not subject to the stay set out in paragraph 2 of the PD.
• The PD ceases to have effect on 30^th October 2020.