Changes have been made to first directions orders in four specialist personal injury lists in the Common Law Division.
Changes have been made to first directions orders in four specialist personal injury lists in the Common Law Division, streamlining the process for parties and the Court. The revised orders are designed to increase the efficiency of the Court’s case management processes in response to the significantly increased number of cases being pursued in these lists, as well as address a number of common issues arising in proceedings that can lead to delays or adjournments of hearing dates.
Parties submitting minutes of proposed consent orders in the Personal Injuries List, Dust Diseases List, Institutional Liability List and Civil Circuit List, must use the revised First Directions forms available on the Court’s website.
The major changes to the standard orders include:
- A new clause that enables parties to agree to extend, or abridge, the time for taking interlocutory steps falling due prior to the post-mediation directions hearing, or, in the case of expedited Dust Diseases List matters, the final directions hearing, without the need to seek revised timetabling orders.
- Changes to standard timing for the issue of subpoenas and the service of supplementary reports and final particulars of special damages.
- Clarification of language around ‘supplementary’ medical and expert reports to be served close to trial.
- Updates to the matters that are to be ventilated at the post-mediation directions hearing to include issues of expert evidence.
First directions orders are usually made ‘on the papers’ unless a judicial officer determines otherwise.
Access the First Directions Forms
Personal Injuries List
Personal Injuries List: Requests for consent orders – First Directions (form)
- ‘Practice Note No. SC CL 3 Personal Injuries List’ and other information about the management of matters in this List can be found on the Personal Injuries List page of the Court’s website.
Dust Diseases List
Dust Diseases List: Request for consent orders – First Directions (form)
- ‘Practice Note No. SC CL 2 Dust Diseases List’ and other information about the management of matters in this List can be found on the Dust Diseases List page of the Court’s website.
Institutional Liability List
Institutional Liability List: Request for consent orders – First Directions (form)
- ‘Notice to the Profession – Institutional Liability List' and other information about the management of matters in this List can be found on the Institutional Liability List page of the Court’s website.
Civil Circuit List
Civil Circuit List: Request for consent orders – First Directions (form)
- ‘Practice Note No. SC CL 1 Civil Circuit List’ and other information about the management of matters in this List can be found on the Civil Circuit List page of the Court’s website.