Administrative Court practice statement on opposed applications for extensions of time to apply to all London work except planning cases

Mr Justice Chamberlain said: “Litigants, their legal representatives, Court staff and judges are all entitled to plan their work on the basis that time limits set by the Civil Procedure Rules and Practice Directions and in directions given by the Court will be adhered to.

“Too many applications for extensions of time are being made at the last minute and/or without proper supporting reasons or evidence, apparently in the belief that the application will not be considered until the applicant has had the extra time sought, so the extension will become a fait accompli.

“This is unfair to the other parties and their legal representatives. It is likely to have a particular adverse effect on litigants and legal representatives with caring responsibilities and on legal representatives who work part-time. It may also inconvenience the Court.”

The practice statement sets out the procedure that will apply from now on in London, except in planning cases, and also what it does not apply to.

Mr Justice Chamberlain said that after considering feedback from Court users, the new procedure may be extended to Administrative Court centres outside London and to Planning Court claims.