The <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/698dab04ceeaa48d377f6a42/cprc-5-dec-2025-minutes.pdf" target="_blank" class="news-text_link">approved minutes</a> of the meeting of the Civil Procedure Rule Committee (“<span class="news-text_medium">CPRC</span>”) held on 5 December 2025 were made publicly available on 12 February 2026. The minutes provide insight into a number of current and forthcoming procedural developments.
One area of focus was Online Civil Money Claims. HM Courts & Tribunals Service (“<span class="news-text_medium">HMCTS</span>”) is reviewing safeguards to ensure that responses submitted outside online portals are not overlooked, thereby reducing the risk of inappropriate default judgments. The HMCTS User Insight Team is exploring potential solutions, including the possible use of AI and it was noted that the CPRC service sub-committee may become involved in this work at a later stage.
The CPRC also discussed contempt of court, in the context of preparing its response to Part 1 of the Law Commission’s report on reform of contempt laws. The CPRC reiterated its opposition to the introduction of a single unified framework for civil contempt and expressed a preference for retaining the existing provisions in CPR Part 81. While the CPRC supports alignment of contempt rules where practicable, it indicated that any broader review of CPR 81 should take place only after publication of Part 2 of the Law Commission’s report.
On simplified cost budgeting, the minutes record that following initial discussions at the October 2025 meeting, the CPRC agreed to consult senior judges of the Business and Property Courts on the potential nationwide rollout of Practice Direction 51ZG1. HMCTS will analyse data gathered from the pilot scheme to date and the issue is expected to return to the CPRC for further consideration in due course.
In relation to the small claims paper determination pilot, the Committee agreed that the consultation on incorporating elements of the former Practice Direction 51ZC into the Civil Procedure Rules, which had been approved at the November 2025 meeting, should be finalised and published as soon as practicable.
The minutes also note progress on the winter CPR update, confirming that numerous amendments had been agreed and subsequently announced. These include the <span class="news-text_italic-underline">Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2026</span> and updates extending pilot schemes relating to Online Civil Money Claims and the automatic referral of small claims to mediation.
Finally, the CPRC acknowledged a procedural gap concerning appeals of arbitral awards. Specifically, the CPRC noted the absence of a clear time limit under the CPR for appeals under section 69 of the <span class="news-text_italic-underline">Arbitration Act 1996</span> where the original arbitral decision was made without a hearing. Henshaw J suggested that any amendment should be made to CPR Part 62, which governs arbitration claims, rather than to CPR 52.3 on permission to appeal. The Committee agreed to refer the issue to a Business and Property Courts sub-committee to prepare a draft amendment.
