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ELIZABETH II

c. 12

Civil Procedure Act 1997

1997 CHAPTER 12

An Act to amend the law about civil procedure in England and Wales; and for connected purposes.[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

Civil Procedure Rules. 1.—(1) There are to be rules of court (to be called “Civil Procedure Rules”) governing the practice and procedure to be followed in—

(a) the civil division of the Court of Appeal,

(b) the High Court, and

(c) county courts.

(2) Schedule 1 (which makes further provision about the extent of the power to make Civil Procedure Rules) is to have effect.

(3) The power to make Civil Procedure Rules is to be exercised with a view to securing that the civil justice system is accessible, fair and efficient.

Rule Committee. 2.—(1) Civil Procedure Rules are to be made by a committee known as the Civil Procedure Rule Committee, which is to consist of—

(a) the Master of the Rolls,

(b) the Vice-Chancellor, and

(c) the persons currently appointed by the Lord Chancellor under subsection (2).

(2) The Lord Chancellor must appoint—

(a) one judge of the Supreme Court,

(b) one Circuit judge,

(c) one district judge,