The approved minutes of the Civil Procedure Rule Committee meeting of 7 November 2025 became publicly available on 10 December 2025. The discussions reflect ongoing preparations for the introduction of Online Procedure Rules and further development of digital and pilot schemes within the civil justice system.
The Committee noted that the first Online Procedure Rules are expected to be laid before Parliament in early 2026. Schedule 4 of the <span class="news-text_italic-underline">Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022</span> is anticipated to come into force in May or June 2026. This will amend the <span class="news-text_italic-underline">Civil Procedure Act 1997</span> to require that the Civil Procedure Rules do not govern practice and procedure covered by the Online Procedure Rules and to clarify that practice directions do not apply to proceedings governed by those rules.
To accommodate the first Online Procedure Rules, the Ministry of Justice proposed either a general carve-out from CPR 2 and CPR 55 or a series of targeted amendments as the Online Procedure Rules develop. The Committee resolved in principle that CPR 2 should be updated only, with revised drafting to be reconsidered at the December meeting.
It was agreed in principle to establish a joint working group between the Civil Procedure Rule Committee and the Online Procedure Rule Committee. Subject to finalised terms of reference, the group’s work is expected to begin in 2026 with an initial focus on the procedural implications of transferring the Online Civil Money Claims and Damages Claims Pilot practice directions to the Online Procedure Rule Committee.
The Committee agreed in principle to extend Practice Direction 51ZE relating to automatic referral to mediation in the Small Claims Track and consequently Practice Direction 51R governing the Online Civil Money Claims pilot until April 2027. This extension remains subject to further detail being provided on evaluation and consultation.
Practice Direction 51ZC expired in October 2025. The Committee agreed in principle that its provisions should be incorporated into the Civil Procedure Rules. Draft amendments to CPR 27 and Practice Direction 27A were approved in principle along with any necessary consequential amendments. These may include changes to CPR 5.4C, Practice Direction 27B and form N180. Public consultation on the proposed amendments is expected in due course.
The Committee noted the decision in <span class="news-text_italic-underline">Mazur and another v Charles Russell Speechlys LLP [2025] EWHC 2341 (KB)</span>. It was observed that the judgment may prompt a broader review of the Civil Procedure Rules although any further consideration will depend on the outcome of any appeal.
