What are the fast track and multi-track?
The judge will decide which track a case is allocated to. If the amount of the claim suggests it may be allocated to the fast track or the multi-track you may wish to seek legal advice.
Fast track
Claims with a value of between £5,000 and £25,000 are usually allocated to the fast track. The fast track usually takes no more than one day.
The standard directions and a typical timetable for a fast track case:
| Disclosure (followed by inspection by the court) | 4 weeks after allocation |
| Exchange of witness statements | 10 week after allocation |
| Exchange of expert reports (where allowed) | 14 weeks after allocation |
| Court sends out pre-trial checklists | 20 weeks after allocation |
| Deadline for returning pre-trail checklists | 22 weeks after allocation |
| Final hearing (trial) | 30 weeks after allocation |
The hearing may take place in either a courtroom or in the judge's room. In the fast track a circuit judge or a district judge may hear the trail.
Multi-track
Claims with a value above £25,000 or very complex claims are usually allocated to the multi-track. It gives the court the ability to deal with cases in the most suitable way so, unlike the other tracks, there is no standard procedure for multi-track cases.
To keep things moving the judge can use standard directions, case management conferences or a pre-trial review, or a combination of these.
The multi-track trial usually takes place in a courtroom in front of a Circuit Judge.
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