The rules also deal with how hearings are conducted both pre-trial and at trial, as well as the remedies (both interim and final) that the court can grant, how they are enforced or appealed, and the assessment of costs.
The Rules aim to ensure that, when people sue or are sued, they obtain justice.
The Civil Procedure Rules define a number of pre-action protocols which "explain the conduct and set out the steps the court would normally expect parties to take before commencing proceedings".
Service may be carried by the court or the claimant, and can be made personally, by post, by fax, by e-mail or other electronic means.
If a party is dissatisfied with the allocation decision an application can be made to court for the claim to be re-allocated.
This is an approach that allows the court to try to intervene in helping the parties to agree with one another in sorting out the case.
The use of solicitors is discouraged because the costs of legal representation cannot be recovered from the losing side.
This approach will often be used where the legal issues and evidence is clear cut, and the parties bring documents they wish to use.
The Fast Track mandates a maximum delay of 30 weeks between the setting of Directions, and the trial date.