We are continuing our series on Civil Procedure Rules, highlighting some of the little known but common rules and hopefully explaining them in plain English.
The next rule we will be looking at is Practice Direction 5B – Communication and filing of documents by email (technical specifications.)
The rule says:
3.6 Where proceedings have been started, the subject line of the e-mail must contain the following information—
(a) the case number;
(b) the parties’ names (abbreviated if necessary); and
(c) the date and time of any hearing to which the e-mail relates.
What does this mean?
This is actually a mandatory practice direction which many litigants and lawyers breach but is not generally subject to sanction, yet it is quite simple.
If lawyers are using their own computer and case systems, they occasionally allow their systems to dictate the subject of the email which means they inadvertently do not comply.
When you are emailing the Court you must include the case number and the parties’ names so the Court knows what case the email is about.
If the email relates to a hearing, the date and time of the hearing must be stated in the subject line.
Compliance with this mandatory practice direction allows the Courts to process the email quicker.
You can find the full Civil Procedure Rules online (currently) at https://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/civil/rules
Any questions or support with the above please email us at: [email protected] or phone 0151 230 8931.
