General Preaction Protocol and practice direction

Civil Justice Council

The Association of Her Majesty’s (HM’s) District Judges response

This document includes the response and lists of questions set out to the Civil Justice Council Consultation Paper on a General Pre-Action Protocol and a Practice Direction on Pre-Action Protocols.

Proposed new structure of a shorter Practice Direction highlighting the court’s case management powers and a General Pre-Action Protocol setting out the requirements on parties to a dispute.

Response is a general agreement that the proposed structure is appropriate for the reasons set out in the Consultation Paper.

Council of HM’s Circuit Judges

The document includes the response to questions posed by the consultation:

One protocol of general application is greatly preferred to a large variety. The current 136 pages of different protocols make it difficult for litigants in person and junior litigators to find and use what they need.

Wish to further simplify the protocols. This could be by reducing them to one protocol only or, by shortening the others and annexing them to this one.

Designated Civil Judges – Manchester

This document includes the response to questions posed by the consultation:

There is agreement and comment of general improvement to agree with the proposed new structure of a shorter Practice Direction highlighting the court’s case management powers and a General Pre-Action Protocol setting out the requirements on parties to a dispute.