The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2021 came into effect yesterday, on the 6th of April 2021. The 127th Practice Direction Update came into effect variously on the 29th of January 2021, 30 March 2021 and 6 April 2021. A summary of the main changes to the CPR and PD are outlined below.
Trial witness statements in the Business and Property Courts have a new PD 57AC that applies to trial witness statements that are signed on or after 6 April 2021, in both new and existing proceedings in the B&PCs. Trial witness statements under PD 57AC for example, with drafting notes and letter to a witness explaining purpose and content of their trial witness statement and proper process for its preparation, will be required by PD 57AC.
Other changes will be coming into force on 6 April 2021 including those relating to vulnerable parties and witnesses, services out of the jurisdiction , offers to settle, and costs (CPR 3.17(3) and CPR 44).
