Rule 3.4 Timetabling proceedings: encouraging non-court dispute resolutionF1F8

Paragraph (1A) applies when the court considers that non-court dispute resolution is appropriate.

Where the timetabling of proceedings allows sufficient time for these steps to be taken, the court should encourage parties, as it considers appropriate, to—

The court may give directions about the matters specified in paragraph (1A) on an application or of its own initiative.

Subject to paragraph (2B), the court may give directions referred to in paragraph (2) at any time during the proceedings.

In proceedings to which Practice Direction 12B applies, the court may give directions referred to in paragraph (2) at any time after the court has received the safeguarding letter or safeguarding report referred to in Practice Direction 12B.

Where F4paragraph (1A) applies, the court will give directions about the timing and method by which the parties must tell the court if any of the issues in the proceedings have been resolved.

If the parties do not tell the court if any of the issues have been resolved as directed under paragraph (3), the court will give such F5further directions as to the management of the case as it considers appropriate.

The court or court officer will—

Where the court proposes to exercise its powers of its own initiative, the procedure set out in rule 4.3(2) to (6) applies.