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Time to comply

Julia Messervy-Whiting & Sofia Lobosco outline the importance of compliance with court orders, directions and CPR

    • An analysis of Eaglesham v MOD; Clearway Drainage Systems v Miles Smith; and UPL Europe Ltd v Agchemaccess Chemicals Ltd and others reinforcing the importance of compliance.

    In recent months, the importance of compliance with court orders, directions and CPR has again been reinforced.

    CPR “requires” all parties to adhere to the overriding objective to enable the courts to deal with all cases “expeditiously and fairly”. This involves observing case management provisions and directions.

    In a November 2016 decision (Eaglesham v MOD [2016] EWHC 3011 (QB)) this principle was illustrated in relation to “unless” orders.

    Application

    The defendant made application to extend time for compliance with an unless order and for relief from sanctions. The direction stated: “Unless the defendant complies with para 1 [disclosure of specified documents] in full the defence shall be

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