What is the purpose of a CPR Part 18 request?

CPR Part 18 allows a party to request clarification or elaboration on vague, ambiguous, or insufficient statements in the opposing party's Particulars of Claim, Defence, or Reply. The request must be for information reasonably necessary to understand the opposing case or to enable proper preparation for trial. It is not intended for obtaining documents or evidence, which are handled under different rules.

What should I avoid when making a request for further information?

You should not use CPR Part 18 to request disclosure of documents, as that falls under CPR Part 31. Additionally, you must not ask for evidence rather than clarification of the pleaded facts. Courts view requests as oppressive if they are used as tactical weapons or for harassment, and they will not order 'fishing expedition' requests that are not necessary to understand the case.

How long does the other party have to respond to my request?

The standard response period for a CPR Part 18 request is 28 days. If the other party cannot respond within this time, they should contact you to agree an extension. If they do not intend to respond, they should state their reasons within the same period so you can consider applying to the court. Failure to respond to a reasonable request without good reason may be raised on costs.

What details must be included in a formal request letter?

A valid request must identify the specific paragraph of the statement of case to which it relates. It should quote the relevant text and clearly state what explanation is required. If a voluntary request is refused, the court may order the party to provide further information upon application. Failing to give a reasonable response period or not identifying the specific paragraph are common errors to avoid.

What happens if the other party refuses to answer my request?

If the opposing party refuses to provide voluntary clarification, you can apply to the court for an order requiring them to provide further information. The court may grant this if the request is reasonable and necessary. Additionally, if a party fails to respond to a reasonable request without good reason, this failure may be raised on any question of costs.

← All Templates

Civil Litigation

Updated 2026-05-16

CPR Part 18 Request for Further Information

A formal request under CPR Part 18 asking the opposing party to clarify or elaborate on a statement in their statement of case.

This template was not drafted by a solicitor.

It is an editorial reference based on the official sources we cite. You are responsible for any document you send. For high-stakes matters (court proceedings, large sums, deportation, criminal allegations, child welfare), have a regulated solicitor review or draft your document.

When to use this template

Use this template to request clarification of vague, ambiguous, or insufficient pleadings in the opposing party's Particulars of Claim, Defence, or Reply. CPR Part 18 allows a party to request further information that is reasonably necessary to understand the opposing case or to enable proper preparation for trial.

When NOT to use this template

Do not use CPR Part 18 as a tactical weapon or to harass the other party — courts look unfavourably on oppressive requests. Do not use it to obtain disclosure of documents (use CPR Part 31 for that) or to ask for evidence rather than clarification of the pleaded case.

Legal Basis

CPR Part 18 and Practice Direction 18 (requests for further information). The court may order a party to provide further information on an application if a voluntary request is refused. Failure to respond to a reasonable CPR Part 18 request without good reason may be raised on costs.

Before you send

Requesting information that is not necessary to understand the pleaded case — courts will not order 'fishing expedition' requests
Failing to give a reasonable response period — 28 days is standard
Asking for evidence rather than clarification of the pleaded facts

Common Mistakes to Avoid

✗Requesting information that is not necessary to understand the pleaded case — courts will not order 'fishing expedition' requests
✗Failing to give a reasonable response period — 28 days is standard
✗Asking for evidence rather than clarification of the pleaded facts
✗Not identifying the specific paragraph of the statement of case to which the request relates

Build Your Letter

Fill in your details

Complete the fields below. Required fields are marked with *.

Your name (party making the request)*

Your address / solicitor's address*

Date of letter*

Other party's name*

Other party's address*

Court claim number*

Document being clarified*

Date of document being clarified*

Paragraph number (Request 1)*

Quoted text from the document (Request 1)*

Your question / request for clarification (Request 1)*

Optional fields

Paragraph number (Request 2)

Quoted text from the document (Request 2)

Your question / request for clarification (Request 2)

Letter preview

[YOUR NAME (PARTY MAKING THE REQUEST)] (Claimant / Defendant)
[YOUR ADDRESS / SOLICITOR'S ADDRESS]

[DATE OF LETTER]

[OTHER PARTY'S NAME] (Claimant / Defendant)
[OTHER PARTY'S ADDRESS]

Claim Number: [COURT CLAIM NUMBER]

---

Dear [OTHER PARTY'S NAME],

**REQUEST FOR FURTHER INFORMATION UNDER CPR PART 18**

I write to request further information and clarification pursuant to CPR Part 18 in relation to your [DOCUMENT BEING CLARIFIED] dated [DATE OF DOCUMENT BEING CLARIFIED].

**Request 1**

*With reference to paragraph [PARAGRAPH NUMBER (REQUEST 1)] of your [DOCUMENT BEING CLARIFIED], which states:*

"[QUOTED TEXT FROM THE DOCUMENT (REQUEST 1)]"

*Please state and explain:*

[YOUR QUESTION / REQUEST FOR CLARIFICATION (REQUEST 1)]

**Request 2**

*With reference to paragraph [PARAGRAPH NUMBER (REQUEST 2)] of your [DOCUMENT BEING CLARIFIED], which states:*

"[QUOTED TEXT FROM THE DOCUMENT (REQUEST 2)]"

*Please state and explain:*

[YOUR QUESTION / REQUEST FOR CLARIFICATION (REQUEST 2)]

**Response Requested**

Please provide your response to this request within 28 days of the date of this letter.

If you are unable to respond within this period, please contact me to agree an extension. If you do not intend to respond, please state your reasons within the same period so that I may consider whether to apply to the court.

I reserve the right to refer to this request and your response (or failure to respond) on any question of costs.

Yours faithfully,

[YOUR NAME (PARTY MAKING THE REQUEST)]

Unfilled fields appear as [FIELD NAME]. Review the letter carefully before sending. This template is a starting point — adapt it to your specific circumstances.

Related Guides

Related Rights

Right To A Fair Trial

Official Resources

CPR Part 18 — Further information →PD 18 — Practice Direction →

Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of a CPR Part 18 request?: CPR Part 18 allows a party to request clarification or elaboration on vague, ambiguous, or insufficient statements in the opposing party's Particulars of Claim, Defence, or Reply. The request must be for information reasonably necessary to understand the opposing case or to enable proper preparation for trial. It is not intended for obtaining documents or evidence, which are handled under different rules.
What should I avoid when making a request for further information?: You should not use CPR Part 18 to request disclosure of documents, as that falls under CPR Part 31. Additionally, you must not ask for evidence rather than clarification of the pleaded facts. Courts view requests as oppressive if they are used as tactical weapons or for harassment, and they will not order 'fishing expedition' requests that are not necessary to understand the case.
How long does the other party have to respond to my request?: The standard response period for a CPR Part 18 request is 28 days. If the other party cannot respond within this time, they should contact you to agree an extension. If they do not intend to respond, they should state their reasons within the same period so you can consider applying to the court. Failure to respond to a reasonable request without good reason may be raised on costs.
What details must be included in a formal request letter?: A valid request must identify the specific paragraph of the statement of case to which it relates. It should quote the relevant text and clearly state what explanation is required. If a voluntary request is refused, the court may order the party to provide further information upon application. Failing to give a reasonable response period or not identifying the specific paragraph are common errors to avoid.
What happens if the other party refuses to answer my request?: If the opposing party refuses to provide voluntary clarification, you can apply to the court for an order requiring them to provide further information. The court may grant this if the request is reasonable and necessary. Additionally, if a party fails to respond to a reasonable request without good reason, this failure may be raised on any question of costs.