Time limits – SQE 1
Dispute resolution
Action Time
Letter of reply to letter before claim 14 days
under PDPAC 3 months if complex
Reply to letter before claim in pre- 30 days
action protocol for debt claim
Replies to notice, and letter before 21 days.
claim in Pre-action protocol for
professional negligence
Service of claim form Must be served on parties within 4 months of filing claim.
Service of particulars of claim Within 14 days of service of the claim form, and in any event,
within 4 months of filing claim form. (6 months if out of
jurisdiction)
Claimant decides whether to accept or 14 days.
reject part admission
Filing of acknowledgement of service Within 14 days of deemed service of particulars of claim.
Filing of defence Within 14 days of deemed service of particulars.
If has been acknowledgement of service, must file defence
within 28 days of service of particulars.
Challenging jurisdiction Acknowledgement of service, then 14 days from the
acknowledgement of service.
Interim Application Application can be made at any time.
Must be served on opponent at least 3 clear days before
hearing.
Summary judgement Application can be made at any time, but require court
permission if before acknowledgement of service/defence.
Must give respondent 14 days notice. Respondent must file
evidence at least 7 days before the hearing. Applicant must
file any additional information at least 3 days before the
hearing.
Interim payment Application can only be made after time limit for
acknowledgement of service
14 days’ notice.
Interim injunction Application can be made at any time after proceedings
commenced. In exceptional circumstances court may allow
application before proceedings commenced.
Cost budget Must be filed either:
- With the directions questionnaire (if claim under
£50,000)
- 21 days before the CMC.
Budget discussion report Must be filed by bother parties no later than 7 days before
CMC.
Disclosure on the small claims track 14 days before the final hearing.
Disclosure on the multi claims track At least 14 days before the first CMC.
Then, at least 7 days before the CMC parties must seek to
agree and file proposal for disclosure.
Request to inspect documents in Request made in writing, granted within 7 days.
standard disclosure.
Questions put to separate experts Each party may put written questions to the experts within 28
, days of service of the reports. Must be answered within 28
days of service of the reports.
Service of witness summons At least 7 days before the date on which witness is required to
attend court.
Pre-trial checklist At least 8 weeks before trial.
Trial bundle Filed between 7 and 3 days before trial.
Court order/judgement for payment of Must be paid within 14 days.
money
Appeal against County Court or High 21 days
Court decision
Appeal from CA to the Supreme Court 28 days
Application to CA for permission to May list the matter for an oral hearing no later than 14 days
appeal to CA. after the relevant decision, if matter cannot be fairly
determined without oral hearing.
Summary assessment: parties file At least 2 days before fast track
statement of costs At least 24 hr before interim hearing.
Serve on paying party notice of Within 3 months of judgement.
detailed assessment of costs, and bills.
NOTE: the paying party has 21 days to serve points of
dispute. The Receiving party then has 21 days to reply.
Request for clarification of part 36 Must be made within 7 days of deemed service of the offer
offer
Charging orders See document.
Enforcement in the commonwealth High court – judgement must be final and registered within 12
months.
County court – judgement must be final and registered within
6 years.
Business law and practice
Action Time
Registration of company with HMRC If company formed by online registration – automatic.
If not, must register with HMRC within 3 months of starting
to do business.
Removal/loss/retirement of member Notice to companies house within 14 days of
and Appointment of member of LLP. removal/appointment.
Notice for board meeting Reasonable time
Notice for general meeting 14 clear days (not including day of deemed service or day of
meeting).
NOTE: If notice sent by post or email, deemed to be received
48 hours after notice was posted or emailed.
Lapse of written resolution 28th day following distribution of written resolution.
Circulate written resolution/call 21 days after the request.
general meeting after shareholder
request (5%).
Keep board meeting minutes 10 years
File accounts and directors reports at Private company – 9 months after the accounting period.
Companies House. Public company – 6 months after the accounting period.
File confirmation statement 14 days of confirmation date (anniversary of incorporation).
Notify registrar of companies of 14 days
appointment/removal of company
Dispute resolution
Action Time
Letter of reply to letter before claim 14 days
under PDPAC 3 months if complex
Reply to letter before claim in pre- 30 days
action protocol for debt claim
Replies to notice, and letter before 21 days.
claim in Pre-action protocol for
professional negligence
Service of claim form Must be served on parties within 4 months of filing claim.
Service of particulars of claim Within 14 days of service of the claim form, and in any event,
within 4 months of filing claim form. (6 months if out of
jurisdiction)
Claimant decides whether to accept or 14 days.
reject part admission
Filing of acknowledgement of service Within 14 days of deemed service of particulars of claim.
Filing of defence Within 14 days of deemed service of particulars.
If has been acknowledgement of service, must file defence
within 28 days of service of particulars.
Challenging jurisdiction Acknowledgement of service, then 14 days from the
acknowledgement of service.
Interim Application Application can be made at any time.
Must be served on opponent at least 3 clear days before
hearing.
Summary judgement Application can be made at any time, but require court
permission if before acknowledgement of service/defence.
Must give respondent 14 days notice. Respondent must file
evidence at least 7 days before the hearing. Applicant must
file any additional information at least 3 days before the
hearing.
Interim payment Application can only be made after time limit for
acknowledgement of service
14 days’ notice.
Interim injunction Application can be made at any time after proceedings
commenced. In exceptional circumstances court may allow
application before proceedings commenced.
Cost budget Must be filed either:
- With the directions questionnaire (if claim under
£50,000)
- 21 days before the CMC.
Budget discussion report Must be filed by bother parties no later than 7 days before
CMC.
Disclosure on the small claims track 14 days before the final hearing.
Disclosure on the multi claims track At least 14 days before the first CMC.
Then, at least 7 days before the CMC parties must seek to
agree and file proposal for disclosure.
Request to inspect documents in Request made in writing, granted within 7 days.
standard disclosure.
Questions put to separate experts Each party may put written questions to the experts within 28
, days of service of the reports. Must be answered within 28
days of service of the reports.
Service of witness summons At least 7 days before the date on which witness is required to
attend court.
Pre-trial checklist At least 8 weeks before trial.
Trial bundle Filed between 7 and 3 days before trial.
Court order/judgement for payment of Must be paid within 14 days.
money
Appeal against County Court or High 21 days
Court decision
Appeal from CA to the Supreme Court 28 days
Application to CA for permission to May list the matter for an oral hearing no later than 14 days
appeal to CA. after the relevant decision, if matter cannot be fairly
determined without oral hearing.
Summary assessment: parties file At least 2 days before fast track
statement of costs At least 24 hr before interim hearing.
Serve on paying party notice of Within 3 months of judgement.
detailed assessment of costs, and bills.
NOTE: the paying party has 21 days to serve points of
dispute. The Receiving party then has 21 days to reply.
Request for clarification of part 36 Must be made within 7 days of deemed service of the offer
offer
Charging orders See document.
Enforcement in the commonwealth High court – judgement must be final and registered within 12
months.
County court – judgement must be final and registered within
6 years.
Business law and practice
Action Time
Registration of company with HMRC If company formed by online registration – automatic.
If not, must register with HMRC within 3 months of starting
to do business.
Removal/loss/retirement of member Notice to companies house within 14 days of
and Appointment of member of LLP. removal/appointment.
Notice for board meeting Reasonable time
Notice for general meeting 14 clear days (not including day of deemed service or day of
meeting).
NOTE: If notice sent by post or email, deemed to be received
48 hours after notice was posted or emailed.
Lapse of written resolution 28th day following distribution of written resolution.
Circulate written resolution/call 21 days after the request.
general meeting after shareholder
request (5%).
Keep board meeting minutes 10 years
File accounts and directors reports at Private company – 9 months after the accounting period.
Companies House. Public company – 6 months after the accounting period.
File confirmation statement 14 days of confirmation date (anniversary of incorporation).
Notify registrar of companies of 14 days
appointment/removal of company
