multi-track

The multi-track is the normal track for claims not falling within the rules for allocation to either the small claims track or fast track. Typically these will be cases involving claims exceeding £15,000, and cases worth less than that sum where the trial is likely to exceed a day.

The multi-track includes an enormously wide range of cases, from the fairly straightforward to the complex, weighty matters involving claims for millions of pounds, as well as multi-party claims. The track is designed for flexibility during the period leading up to the final hearing. Such is the variance of the types of matters dealt with on this track, a greater degree of judicial involvement is made in case management conferences and pre-trial checklists.  When the matter is allocated to the multi-track, the court will either:

• give directions for the management of the case and set a timetable for the steps to be taken between the giving of directions and the trial; or
• fix a case management conference and/or a pre-trial review to give such directions relating to the management of the case as the court sees fit.

The parties are at liberty to agree directions for the consideration of the court, or the court make directions of its own accord which may include:

1. directions for filing and service of a Reply to the Defence, Counterclaims, amendment of statements of case, Requests for Further Information and Clarification, expert and lay evidence, amongst others
2. directions setting the timetable for disclosure, and the scope of the classes of documents for disclosure
3. directions setting out questions to be answered by experts, including how that evidence will be obtained, whether such evidence will be given orally or by a report; whether a single expert or expert evidence from both parties; the timetable for putting questions to experts and filing of reports
   
4. the requirement for a further case management conference
5. proposals for the trial window or a fixed date for the trial
6. directions for a specialist judge to hear the matter.

Further, case management conferences may be fixed by the court at any time after allocation. Cases assigned to the multi-track are generally heard in the Royal Courts of Justice or Civil Trial Centre.

Usage: The High Court judge allocated the court claim to the multi-track.

Related Words: fast track; litigation; allocation directions; case management conference; pre-trial review; pre-trial checklists; claimant; defendant; overriding objective; pleadings; claim form; particulars of claim; defence: litigation; reply to defence; statement of case; pleadings; account of profits; damages; delivery up; defence to counterclaim; Civil Procedure Rules; reply to defence to counterclaim; request for further information and clarification; pleadings; default judgment; set-off; counterclaim; crossclaim; Chancery Division; Queen's Bench Division; High Court; cause of action; conflict of interest; summary judgment; small claims track.