Practice direction for possession proceedings comes into force amid phased rollout

The digital service is the first to be governed by the Online Procedure Rules 2026. 

The practice direction provides the procedural requirements for claims issued through the possession digital service. It includes rules concerning communications with the court, hearings, evidence and court orders.

The committee noted that, as previously announced, the service is being introduced in phases.

In this initial phase, the service applies to registered social landlords in England bringing possession claims in postcode areas served by the County Courts at Bradford, Huddersfield and Wandsworth.

Community landlords in Wales bringing possession claims in postcode areas served by Caernarfon County Court will commence using the service from noon on 15 October 2026.

The committee said: “Where aspects of procedure are not yet provided for under the Online Procedure Rules or the practice direction, including appeals and enforcement, the relevant provisions of the Civil Procedure Rules will continue to apply.”