The automatic directions timetable ceases to run on the stay of proceedings; a date was needed. Automatic directions were ousted if an order was made staying the action, even if it was likely that the stay would only be a temporary one. The rationale underlying the ouster of automatic directions was that the stay of … Continue reading Whitehead v Avon County Council (2): CA 10 Feb 1997

Even if a case is quite unsuitable for automatic directions, the plaintiff has an obligation to apply instead for specific manual directions to stand in their stead. It would be wrong to allow a plaintiff to escape from the discipline of the automatic directions timetable simply by issuing an application seeking an order that the … Continue reading Cockeril v Tambrands Limited: CA 21 May 1998