Explanatory note

This Order modifies certain enactments in order to facilitate the making of Civil Procedure Rules. The changes are–

• to change the reference to county court arbitration in section 11 of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (lay representation) to a reference to the small claims procedure;

• to modify the commencement provisions of the Civil Evidence Act 1995 (which made new provision for the admissibility of hearsay evidence and the proof of documentary evidence), so as to enable the Act and the provisions of the Civil Procedure Rules 1998 to apply to cases begun before 31st January 1997 (the original commencement date of the Act).