Failure to file a costs budget on time (CPR 3.13 and 3.14)

Costs management under Section II of Part 3 applies to Part 7 multi-track claims, subject to exceptions such as claims of £10 million or more (CPR 3.12). Dunmore's £400,000 claim is within the scheme. By CPR 3.13(1), unless the court otherwise orders, all parties except litigants in person must file and exchange budgets. Where the stated value of the claim is less than £50,000 this is done with the directions questionnaire; in any other case it must be done not later than 21 days before the first case management conference. Dunmore missed that deadline. CPR 3.14 provides that, unless the court otherwise orders, any party which fails to file a budget despite being required to do so will be treated as having filed a budget comprising only the applicable court fees. Dunmore's only route out is to apply for relief from sanctions under CPR 3.9. Different rules apply to claims subject to the PD 51ZG1 and PD 51ZG2 simplified costs budgeting pilots, which disapply rules 3.13 and 3.14.

Why B is wrong: For a claim of £50,000 or more the budget must be filed at least 21 days before the first CCMC, and missing the deadline triggers CPR 3.14.

Why C is wrong: Strike-out is not the CPR 3.14 sanction; the party is limited to a budget of court fees.

Why D is wrong: No automatic 50% reduction exists; the sanction is a budget limited to court fees.

Why E is wrong: Below £50,000 the budget is filed with the directions questionnaire; larger multi-track claims also require budgets, filed 21 days before the first CCMC.