Case management conference (CMC)
Court hearing attended by all parties to decide directions and get the claim to trial.
Civil Litigation
Cast List
A list of individuals involved in the events on which the claim is based. These are of enormous help to judges and others in understanding the facts of the case quickly. They are also helpful to solicitors and we would encourage you to jot down the names of those involved in your complaint next to […]
Charging order
An order that allows property or other assets to be sold to pay money owing under a judgement debt.
Chronology
A list of key events with dates in date order. To understand a case a solicitor will prepare a chronology which will include key dates such as when the employment contract started; when disputes arose; dates of investigatory, disciplinary, grievance, and appeal meetings; and when the employee was discriminated against or dismissed. Other key dates […]
Circuit judge
A county judge who deals with fast track and multi-track trials, appeals from the district judge, and interim applications in more complicated cases. A higher level judge than a district judge.
Civil Courts
These include the County Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court when they are dealing with civil rather than criminal claims. Employment tribunals (ETs) deal with the civil law. Occasionally, employment matters are dealt with in the civil courts rather than the ET. Information about courts and tribunals is available from the HM […]
Civil Procedure rules (CPR)
These are rules governing how claims are processed in the civil courts. They can be found at http://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/civil
Claim form
The court form that you or your solicitor needs to complete to start the claim.
Claimant
The party bringing the claim. In the past this party was referred to as the “plaintiff”.
Conditional fee agreement (CFA)
Arrangement whereby lawyers act for a client on a “no win no fee” basis.