Explanatory note

The Civil Procedure Rules 1998, which provided a new code of procedure for the civil courts, re-enacted with minor amendments a number of provisions of the Rules of the Supreme Court 1965 and the County Court Rules 1981. This statutory instrument replaces some of the most frequently used provisions of the earlier rules with rules to form an integral part of the new code. There are new provisions on service out of the jurisdiction (Schedule 1); representative parties (Schedule 2); security for costs (Schedule 3); sale of land and conveyancing counsel (Schedule 4); and appeals (Schedule 5).

Additionally, new rules have been provided on group litigation (Schedule 2), and on the procedure which will be used when the remaining provisions of the Defamation Act 1996 are brought into force in England and Wales (Schedule 6).

These new provisions have made it possible to revoke a substantial part of the remaining Rules of the Supreme Court and County Court Rules which are scheduled to the Civil Procedure Rules 1998. The opportunity has also been taken to make a number of minor amendments to the rules currently in force.