Procedures
Costs follow the event, with active case management
The Civil Procedure Rules give judges wide management powers and allocate claims to small claims, fast, intermediate or multi-track depending on value and complexity.
Key rules
- The losing party normally pays the winner's reasonable costs.
- Pre-action protocols require disclosure and settlement attempts before issuing a claim.
- Standard limitation is six years for contract and tort, three years for personal injury.
Governing law
- Civil Procedure Rules 1998
- Limitation Act 1980
In practice
Refusing to engage with mediation can itself attract a costs sanction, so parties document their willingness to negotiate carefully.