Civil Procedure Rules — overview
What the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) are, how they are organised, and which parts a litigant in person needs to know.
Quick answer
The Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) govern all civil proceedings in the County Court, High Court, and Court of Appeal (Civil Division) in England and Wales. They are organised by Part (Part 1–88), with Practice Directions supplementing each Part. Key Parts for litigants: Part 7 (issuing claims), Part 16 (statements of case), Part 23 (applications), Part 26 (allocation), Part 27 (small claims), Part 32 (evidence), Part 36 (settlement offers), Part 44–47 (costs). The overriding objective in Part 1 — dealing with cases justly and at proportionate cost — informs everything.
Overview
The Civil Procedure Rules 1998 (SI 1998/3132) replaced the Rules of the Supreme Court and County Court Rules in 1999 following Lord Woolf's reforms. They aim to simplify civil litigation and make it accessible to non-lawyers. The CPR are extensive (over 100 Parts including PDs) but litigants in person only need to know a handful to navigate most cases. This guide explains the structure and points to the most-used Parts.
Who Can Use This Process
- You are likely eligible to use this guide if your situation involves civil procedure rules — overview.
- You have a genuine legal basis for the matter (contract, tort, statutory right, etc.).
- You have made reasonable attempts to resolve the matter directly with the other party first.
Step-by-Step Process
Understand the overriding objective (Part 1)
The court must deal with cases justly and at proportionate cost. This includes equal footing, expedition, fairness, and active case management. Cite Part 1 when arguing for accommodations as a litigant in person.
Issuing a claim (Parts 7, 16)
Part 7 is the standard procedure. Part 8 is for claims with no substantial dispute of fact (e.g. construction of documents). Part 16 sets out what a claim form and particulars must contain.
Allocation to tracks (Part 26)
Once a defence is filed, the court allocates to small claims (up to £10,000), fast track (up to £25,000, simple cases), intermediate (new track since 2023, mid-complexity), or multi-track (everything else). Allocation determines costs recovery and procedure.
Small claims (Part 27)
Designed for litigants in person. Costs recovery is very limited. Evidence rules are relaxed. Hearings are usually informal. Most claims under £10,000 go here.
Settlement offers (Part 36)
A Part 36 offer is a formal written offer to settle. Failure to beat a Part 36 offer at trial triggers automatic costs consequences — the receiver-of-the-offer pays the other side's costs from when they should have accepted. Powerful tool.
Costs (Parts 44–47)
The general rule (Part 44) is that the loser pays the winner's costs. But small claims, conduct, Part 36, and proportionality can vary this. Costs are assessed on standard or indemnity basis at the end of the case.
Important Warnings
The CPR are amended regularly. Always check you are looking at the current version on justice.gov.uk.
Filing deadlines under the CPR are strict and the court will not extend without good reason. Missing a deadline can lead to your claim or defence being struck out.
Useful Links
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common mistakes to avoid?
- Watch out for: The CPR are amended regularly. Always check you are looking at the current version on justice.gov.uk.; Filing deadlines under the CPR are strict and the court will not extend without good reason. Missing a deadline can lead to your claim or defence being struck out.. If you're unsure on any of these, get advice from a regulated solicitor or a free service like Citizens Advice before acting.
- Where can I find the official forms and guidance?
- The official sources are: Civil Procedure Rules; Civil Procedure Rules — full text. Always use the forms / guidance from the issuing authority's own site — third-party copies can be out of date.
- Can I do this myself without a solicitor?
- Yes — many people complete this kind of matter as a litigant in person. The site walks through each step in plain English. A solicitor is recommended if: large sums are at stake, the other side has legal representation, the matter involves criminal liability, children, immigration, or you're unsure on any procedural deadline. Free advice is available from Citizens Advice, Law Centres, and (for some matters) LawWorks pro bono clinics.