What Is Part 18 of the Civil Procedure Rules?

Part 18 of the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) deals with requests for further information in civil proceedings. It allows one party to formally ask the other for specific details or documents about their case.

The party seeking information must issue the other with a written request clearly identifying the required details and their reasons for requesting them. The request must be reasonably necessary and proportionate and give the receiving party sufficient time to respond.

If the responding party doesn’t provide the information or documentation, the requesting party can apply to the court for an order to disclose it. The court will only make such an order if it’s proportionate and necessary for facilitating the resolution of a case. If a judge makes the order, they must send it to the relevant individual, who must then file their response within the specified timeframe.

Part 18 also highlights the court’s power to direct that such information may not be used for any purpose other than for the ongoing proceedings.

A well positioned and drafted Part 18 Request can be used to force an opponent to clarify an item or issue where they are being deliberately vague, so that they cannot later suggest ‘X meant Y’. These requests can also lead into later tactical applications being made.