Civil Procedure Act 1997
1997 c. 12An Act to amend the law about civil procedure in England and Wales; and for connected purposes.
Enacted[27th February 1997]
Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Rules and directions¶
C31 Civil Procedure Rules.¶
2 Rule Committee.¶
2A Power to change certain requirements relating to Committee¶
3 Section 2: supplementary.¶
3A Rules to be made if required by Lord Chancellor¶
4 Power to make consequential amendments.¶
5 Practice directions.¶
Civil Justice Council¶
6 Civil Justice Council.¶
Court orders¶
7 Power of courts to make orders for preserving evidence, etc.¶
- “court” means the High Court, and
- “premises” includes any vehicle;
8 Disclosure etc. of documents before action begun.¶
General¶
9 Interpretation.¶
- “enactment” includes an enactment contained in subordinate legislation (within the meaning of the M6Interpretation Act 1978), and
- “practice directions” means directions as to the practice and procedure of any court within the scope of Civil Procedure Rules.
I110 Minor and consequential amendments.¶
Schedule 2 (which makes minor and consequential amendments) is to have effect.11 Short title, commencement and extent.¶
SCHEDULES
C4SCHEDULE 1 ¶
Civil Procedure Rules
Section 1.
Matters dealt with by the former rules¶
Exercise of jurisdiction¶
Removal of proceedings¶
Evidence¶
Application of other rules¶
Practice directions¶
Different provision for different cases etc.¶
SCHEDULE 2 ¶
Minor and consequential amendments
Section 10.
Supreme Court Act 1981 (c. 54)¶
.
, and
County Courts Act 1984 (c. 28)¶
Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 (c. 42)¶
Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41)¶
Footnotes
- F1S. 2A inserted (26.1.2004) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 84, 110(1); S.I. 2003/3345, art. 2(b)(ix)
- F2Sch. 2 para. 3 repealed (6.4.2011) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 109, 110(1), Sch 10; S.I. 2010/ 2921, {art. 3(c)}
- F3Words in s. 7(7) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c.12), ss. 261(1), 263(10)(b), Sch 27 para. 154; S.I. 2005/3175, art. 2(2)
- F4S. 2A(2)(2A)(2B) substituted (3.4.2006) for s. 2A(2) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 15, 148(1), Sch. 4 para. 264(3); S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(v)
- F5S. 2A(1)(a) substituted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 15, 148(1), Sch. 4 para. 264(2); S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(v)
- C1S. 3(2) excluded (11.3.2005) by Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005 (c. 2), s. 11(5), Sch. para. 3(7)(a)
- F6S. 3A inserted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 15, 148(1), Sch. 4 para. 266; S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(v)
- F7Words in s. 4(1)(2) inserted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 15, 148(1), Sch. 4 para. 267(2); S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(v)
- F8S. 4(6) inserted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 15, 148(1), Sch. 4 para. 267(3); S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(v)
- F9S. 5 substituted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 13, 148(1), Sch. 2 para. 6; S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 7
- F10S. 6(2A)(2B) inserted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 15, 148(1), Sch. 4 para. 268(2); S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(v)
- F11S. 6(5) inserted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 15, 148(1), Sch. 4 para. 268(3); S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(v)
- F12Words in s. 8(1) substituted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 59(5), 148(1), Sch. 11 para. 1(2); S.I. 2009/ 1604, {art. 2(d)}
- C2S. 3(2) excluded until Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), s. 85 comes into force, whereupon s. 3(6) excluded (17.12.2010) by Terrorist Asset-Freezing etc. Act 2010 (c. 38), ss. 29(9)(a)(11), 55(1)
- F13S. 2(1)(1A)(1B) substituted (3.4.2006) for s. 2(1) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 15, 148(1), Sch. 4 para. 263(2); S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(v)
- F14Words in s. 2(2) substituted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 15, 148(1), Sch. 4 para. 263(3); S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(v)
- F15S. 2(2)(a) substituted (26.1.2004) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 83(2), 110(1); S.I. 2003/3345, art. 2(b)(viii)
- F16Words in s. 2(2)(c) substituted (1.9.2006) by The Civil Procedure Act 1997 (Amendment) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1847), art. 2
- M11981 c. 54.
- M21990 c. 41.
- F17S. 2(2)(g) and word substituted (26.1.2004) for s. 2(2)(g)(h) and word by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 83(3), 110(1); S.I. 2003/3345, art. 2(b)(viii)
- F18S. 2(3) substituted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 15, 148(1), Sch. 4 para. 263(4); S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(v)
- F19Words in s. 2(4) substituted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 15, 148(1), Sch. 4 para. 263(5); S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(v)
- F20S. 2(9) inserted "after subsection (8)" (temp. from 3.4.2006 with effect as mentioned in Sch. 4 para. 361 of the amending Act) by virtue of Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 15, 148(1), Sch. 4 para. 385(2)(3); S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(cc)
- F21S. 2(9) inserted "after subsection (8)" (3.4.2006) by virtue of Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 15, 148(1), Sch. 4 para. 263(6); S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(v)
- F22Words in s. 2(2)(d) substituted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 59(5), 148(1), Sch. 11 para. 1(2); S.I. 2009/ 1604, {art. 2(d)}
- F23Words in s. 2(2)(a)(e)(f) substituted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 59(5), 148(1), Sch. 11 para. 4; S.I. 2009/ 1604, {art. 2(d)}
- F24Words in s. 2(2)(f) substituted (1.1.2010) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 208(1), 211(2), Sch. 21 para. 122(a) (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/ 3250, {art. 2(h)} (with arts. 6, 9)
- F25S. 2(2A) inserted (1.1.2010) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 208(1), 211(2), Sch. 21 para. 122(b) (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/ 3250, {art. 2(h)} (with arts. 6, 9)
- C3S. 1: power to make rules of court extended (25.3.2002) by 1979 c. 53, s. 5(2) (as substituted 25.3.2002 by S.I. 2002/439, art. 5(a))
- M31946 c. 36.
- M41981 c. 54.
- M51984 c. 28.
- M61978 c. 30.
- I1S. 10 wholly in force at 26.4.1999; s. 10 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 11(2); s. 10 in force at 14.3.1997 and 27.4.1997 for specified purposes by S.I. 1997/841, arts. 2, 3, 4 and otherwise in force at 26.4.1999 by S.I. 1999/1009, art. 3
- P1S. 11(2) power partly exercised (14.3.1997): 14.3.1997 and 27.4.1997 appointed for specified provisions by S.I. 1997/841, art. 3S. 11(2) power partly exercised (25.3.1997): 26.4.1999 appointed for specified provisions by S.I. 1999/1009, art. 3
- C4Sch. 1: power to make rules of court extended (25.3.2002) by 1979 c. 53, s. 5(2) (as substituted 25.3.2002 by S.I. 2002/439, art. 5(a))
- M7S.I. 1965/1776.
- M8S.I. 1981/1687.
- I2Sch. 2 para. 1 wholly in force at 26.4.1999; Sch. 2 para. 1 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 11(2); Sch. 2 para. 1(1)(2)(4)(c) in force at 27.4.1997 by S.I. 1997/841, arts. 3, 4; Sch. 2 para. 1(3)(4)(a)(b)(d)(5)-(7) in force at 26.4.1999 by S.I. 1999/1009, art. 3(a)-(e)
- F26Sch. 2 para. 1(2) repealed (27.9.1999) by 1999 c.22, ss. 106, 108(3)(f), Sch. 15 Pt. III (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9))
- I3Sch. 2 para. 2 wholly in force at 26.4.1999; Sch. 2 para. 2 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 11(2); Sch. 2 para. 2(1)(2)(4)(5) in force at 27.4.1997 by S.I. 1997/841, arts. 3, 4; Sch. 2 para. 2(3)(6)-(9) in force at 26.4.1999 by S.I. 1999/1009, art. 3(f)-(j)
- F27Words in s. 2(2)(e)(f) substituted (22.4.2014) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 9 para. 67(a); S.I. 2014/954, art. 2(c) (with art. 3) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2014/956, arts. 3-11); S.I. 2014/954, art. 2(c) (with art. 3) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2014/956, arts. 3-11)
- F28Words in s. 1(1)(c) substituted (22.4.2014) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 9 para. 67(a); S.I. 2014/954, art. 2(c) (with art. 3) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2014/956, arts. 3-11)
- C5S. 3(2) excluded until Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), s. 85 comes into force, whereupon s. 3(6) excluded (20.12.2023) by National Security Act 2023 (c. 32), s. 100(1), Sch. 10 para. 7(8)(a)(9) (with s. 97); S.I. 2023/1272, reg. 2(b)
- F29Sch. 2 para. 2(4) repealed (22.4.2014) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 9 para. 141; S.I. 2014/954, art. 2(c) (with art. 3) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2014/956, arts. 3-11)
- C6S. 3(2) excluded until Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), s. 85 comes into force, whereupon s. 3(6) excluded (22.11.2018) by Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 (c. 13), s. 40(11)(a)(13), 64(2) (with ss. 52(3), 53, 58); S.I. 2018/1213, reg. 2(b)
- F30Sch. 1 para. 2 omitted (6.4.2020) by virtue of Courts and Tribunals (Judiciary and Functions of Staff) Act 2018 (c. 33), s. 4(3), Sch. para. 19; S.I. 2020/24, reg. 3(b) (with savings in S.I. 2020/100, regs. 1(2), 3)
- F31S. 2(2)(ca) inserted (19.12.2017) by The Civil Procedure Act 1997 (Amendment) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/1148), arts. 1, 2
- F32Words in s. 1(1)(b) inserted (6.10.2014) by Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (c. 12), ss. 174(2), 185(1) (with ss. 21, 33, 42, 58, 75, 93); S.I. 2014/2454, art. 4
- F33Words in Sch. 1 para. 3(2)(a)(ii) substituted (22.4.2014) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 9 para. 67(b)(ii); S.I. 2014/954, art. 2(c) (with art. 3) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2014/956, arts. 3-11)
- F34Words in Sch. 1 para. 3(1)(b) substituted (22.4.2014) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 9 para. 67(b)(i); S.I. 2014/954, art. 2(c) (with art. 3) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2014/956, arts. 3-11)
- C7S. 3(2) excluded until Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), s. 85 comes into force, whereupon s. 3(6) excluded (12.2.2015) by Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (c. 6), s. 52(5), Sch. 3 para. 7(8)(a)(9) (with Sch. 3 para. 11)
- C8S. 3(2) excluded until Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), s. 85 comes into force, whereupon s. 3(6) excluded (27.11.2008) by Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 (c. 28), ss. 72(6), 100(2) (with s. 101(2))
- C9S. 3(2) excluded until Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), s. 85 comes into force, whereupon s. 3(6) excluded (15.12.2011) by Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Act 2011 (c. 23), s. 31(2), Sch. 4 para. 7(8)(a)(9) (with Sch. 8)
- C10S. 3(2) excluded until Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), s. 85 comes into force, whereupon s. 3(6) excluded (25.6.2013) by Justice and Security Act 2013 (c. 18), s. 20(1), Sch. 3 para. 3(9)(a)(10); S.I. 2013/1482, art. 2 (with arts. 3, 4)