President proposes changes to bundles PD
Page limits suggested for certain types of documents
The President of the Family Division, Sir James Munby, has disseminated a proposed amendment to the bundles practice direction: PD 27A.
The President notes that compliance with the PD, which imposes a restriction of 350 pages, is 'fitful'. Therefore he seeks in the amendment to impose page limits for certain types of documents, which will be mandatory in all cases "Unless" – cf PD27A, para 5.1 – "the court has specifically directed otherwise, being satisfied that such direction is necessary to enable the proceedings to be disposed of justly."
He proposes for consideration the insertion in PD27A of a new para 5.2A, as follows:
"Unless the court has specifically directed otherwise, being satisfied that such direction is necessary to enable the proceedings to be disposed of justly, any of the following documents included in the bundle shall be limited to no more than the number of sheets of A4 paper and sides of text specified below:
Case summary 4
Statement of issues 2
Position statement 5
Chronology 10
Skeleton argument 15
List of essential reading 1
Witness statement or affidavit
(exclusive of exhibits) 20
Expert's or other report 40
Care plan 10"
The President also suggests an amendment in relation to law reports which might be used in court.
The proposed amendment is here.
22/1/16