Section 3.1

The list of powers in this rule is in addition to any powers given to the court by any other rule or practice direction or by any other enactment or any powers it may otherwise have. Except where these Rules provide otherwise, the court may — extend or shorten the time for compliance with any rule, practice direction or court order (even if an application for extension is made after the time for compliance has expired); adjourn or bring forward a hearing; require that any proceedings in the High Court be heard by a Divisional Court of the High Court; require a party or a party’s legal representative to attend the court; hold a hearing and receive evidence by telephone or by using any other method of direct oral communication; direct that part of any proceedings (such as a counterclaim) be dealt with as separate proceedings; stay(GL) the whole or part of any proceedings or judgment either generally or until a specified date or event; consolidate proceedings; try two or more claims on the same occasion; direct a separate trial of any issue; decide the order in which issues are to be tried; exclude an issue from consideration; dismiss or give judgment on a claim after a decision on a preliminary issue; order any party to file and exchange a costs budget; order the parties to engage in alternative dispute resolution; and take any other step or make any other order for the purpose of managing the case and furthering the overriding objective , including hearing an Early Neutral Evaluation with the aim of helping the parties settle the case. When the court makes an order, it may — make it subject to conditions, including a condition to pay a sum of money into court; and specify the consequence of failure to comply with the order or a condition. Where the court has made a direction in accordance with paragraph (2)(c) the proceedings shall be heard by a Divisional Court of the High Court and not by a single judge. Where the court gives directions it will take into account whether or not a party has complied with the Practice Direction (Pre-Action Conduct) and any relevant pre-action protocol(GL). The court may order a party to pay a sum of money into court if that party has, without good reason, failed to comply with a rule, practice direction or a relevant pre-action protocol. When exercising its power under paragraph (5) the court must have regard to— the amount in dispute; and the costs which the parties have incurred or which they may incur. Where a party pays money into court following an order under paragraph (3) or (5), the money shall be security for any sum payable by that party to any other party in the proceedings .... ... A power of the court under these Rules to make an order includes a power to vary or revoke the order. The court may contact the parties from time to time in order to monitor compliance with directions. The parties must respond promptly to any such enquiries from the court.

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Source: legislation.gov.uk · retrieved 2026-08-15