Allocation

Civil Procedure Rules Part 26 now provides for four case management tracks: "the small claims track", "the fast track", "the intermediate track", and "the multi-track" — the intermediate track being a more recent addition alongside the original three. The small claims track is normally for claims with a value of not more than £10,000 (with lower limits for most personal injury claims). The fast track is normally for claims where monetary relief sought is not more than £25,000. The intermediate track is normally for claims not suitable for the small claims or fast track, where monetary relief is not more than £100,000, the trial is likely to last no more than three days, and no more than limited expert evidence is required. The multi-track is the default for any claim not suitable for the other three tracks.

Under CPR rule 26.13, when deciding which track to allocate a claim to, the court has regard to a list of factors including "the financial value, if any, of the claim", "the nature of the remedy sought", "the likely complexity of the facts, law or evidence", the number of parties, the value and complexity of any counterclaim, the amount of oral evidence likely to be required, the claim's importance to non-parties, and the parties' own views and circumstances. In assessing financial value the court disregards any amount not in dispute, any claim for interest, costs, and any reduction for contributory negligence.