Scheme for shorter trials goes permanent

After a three-year trial a scheme to wrap up claims within a year of issue is set to permanently be adopted. The Civil Procedure Rules will be amended to provide for the Shorter Trials Scheme to operate from next month in the Business and Property Courts. 

 

The scheme creates a streamlined procedure with a docketed judge leading to judgment within 12 months of proceedings being issued. Trials are limited to a maximum of four days with judgment published within six weeks. Claimants initiate the process and approach defendants about resolving the case, with a judge able to intervene if the parties cannot agree.

 

The pilot was introduced in 2015 and has been largely supported by practitioners. There is no limit on the size of cases, with some worth several million pounds reportedly resolved through the process. The scheme is however, restricted to cases with limited disclosure or witness evidence. 

 

Ed Crosse, disputes partner at Simmons & Simmons and immediate past president of the London Solicitors Litigation Association, said: 'For appropriate cases the scheme offers the chance of securing the determination of a dispute in a substantially shorter period and, critically, of avoiding costly disclosure, protracted evidence, delay, lengthy trials and cost budgets.'

 

If you would like legal advice in general please contact our specialist team of solicitors on 01606 834 824.