Fast Track vs Multi-Track: CPR Case Management for Civil Claims
CPR track allocation determines costs recovery, procedural formality, and the hearing format. Fast track covers claims of £10,001–£25,000; multi-track covers claims above £25,000 or cases of complexity.
Overview
When a civil claim is defended in the County Court or High Court, the court allocates it to one of three tracks under CPR Part 26: the small claims track (up to £10,000), the fast track (£10,001–£25,000 or personal injury claims from £1,001 to £25,000), or the multi-track (above £25,000 or cases requiring more than one day for trial or involving complex issues of fact or law). Track allocation is one of the most important decisions in civil litigation because it determines the costs recovery rules, the procedural steps, and the hearing format. From October 2023, the fast track operates under fixed recoverable costs (FRC) under CPR Part 45. Multi-track cases retain assessed (variable) costs recovery. The fixed costs regime dramatically changed the economics of fast track litigation.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Fast Track
Pros
- Fixed recoverable costs regime provides certainty about costs recovery from October 2023
- Standard directions — disclosure, witness statements, expert evidence (two experts), and a fixed trial window
- Shorter trial — typically listed for one day
- Lower court fees than multi-track in most cases
Cons
- Fixed costs cap may be less than actual costs incurred — solicitor may not recover full fees
- Trial listed for one day only — complex cases may not get a fair hearing
- Expert evidence limited to two disciplines — one side-joint expert (SJE) usual
- Strict directions timetable — failure to comply can result in sanctions (CPR r.3.4)
Best For
Road traffic accident claims, employers' liability claims, public liability claims, and other personal injury and commercial disputes in the £10,001–£25,000 range.
Multi-Track
Pros
- Assessed costs recovery — winning party recovers reasonable costs assessed by the court (subject to proportionality under CPR r.44.3)
- Flexible case management — case management conferences, split trials, and tailored directions
- Multiple experts permitted — essential for complex technical disputes
- Appropriate for high-value, complex, or legally important cases
Cons
- Costs uncertainty — assessed costs mean neither party knows exactly what they will recover or pay
- Higher court fees for higher value claims
- More procedurally demanding — case management conferences (CMCs), detailed witness statements, expert reports
- Adverse costs risk is significant — losing party can face very large costs orders
Best For
High-value commercial disputes, clinical negligence claims, professional negligence cases, complex property disputes, and any case where the value exceeds £25,000 or the trial is expected to take more than one day.
Key Differences
Our Recommendation
Track allocation is not always straightforward — the court has discretion to allocate claims to a different track if the complexity or importance justifies it. If your claim is close to the £25,000 threshold or involves a complex legal issue, consider whether to pursue the full claim value (multi-track, assessed costs, more risk) or settle at under £25,000 (fast track, FRC, more certainty). For most personal injury claimants, the October 2023 FRC regime significantly affects solicitor economics — choose a firm that can operate profitably within the fixed costs framework.