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England

Court process and hearings

Process of taking a case to a county court, Civil Procedure Rules, fees, allocation of a case to one of three tracks, and documents to use as evidence.

This content applies to England & Wales
  • Process and rules for taking a case to court

    Steps for taking a case to court under Part 7 general procedure or the Part 8 alternative procedure or fixed date procedure.

  • Alternatives to court action

    Alternatives to court action could help avoid the time, cost and stress of taking a case to court.

  • Negotiations before going to court

    Negotiating with the other side prior to going into court and agreements agreement made by the parties before the hearing.

  • Legal help in the County Court

    Permitted legal representatives depend on the type of court and proceedings, and the parties may speak for themselves in all courts.

  • County court case track allocations

    A list of different legal tracks that a case can be allocated to. General information about the fast track, small claims track and multi-track.

  • Evidence in civil claims

    Acceptable evidence and evidence considered inadmissible by the court, witness statements, and presenting evidence to the court and the other party to proceedings.

  • Witness statements

    Parties to a civil claim can submit written evidence to court about the facts of their case in a witness statement.

  • What documents to take to court

    Documents to prepare and file with the court as evidence at hearings for rent arrears, mortgage possession, and disrepair.

  • County Court legal and administrative staff

    Each member of court staff has their functions and tasks in administration of County Court proceedings.

  • Court etiquette

    People should dress smartly and follow the rules on representation, order of speaking and general conduct in court.

  • Hearings in chambers or in open court

    Proceedings may take place in open court with general public allowed to attend or in private in judge’s chambers, depending on sensitivity of a case.

  • Struck out cases and adjourned hearings

    Situations in which a case can be 'truck out (dismissed) or the hearing can be adjourned (put off to a later date).

  • PRPSHs and judicial review

    Judicial review can be used to challenge private registered provider of social housing (PRPSH) decisions of public nature.