Civil Procedure Rules at 20

On 10 June 2019 the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights hosted “The CPR at 20”, a conference to mark the twentieth anniversary of the Civil Procedure Rules coming into force. The Conference was a day long event of presentations and discussion on a number of procedure related topics relevant to both public and private lawyers. Topics included the challenges and opportunities of digitalising the civil justice system, the early experience of class actions in the Competition Appeal Tribunal, disclosure reforms, the use of closed material procedures to protect national security, procedural aspects of judicial review, and costs and funding rules. Each session included contributions from distinguished judges, scholars and practitioners so as to provide the audience with a broader range of perspectives.

Sir Terence Etherton MR gave the key note address on ‘Rule Making for a Digital Court Process’ and Damien Byrne Hill, Head of UK and US Dispute Resolution at Herbert Smith Freehills, presented the results of an internal survey of HSF lawyers as to both the successes of the CPR to date and priorities for reform.  Lords Neuberger and Dyson also participated in a conversation with Professor Kate O’Regan, Director of the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights, reflecting on the challenges of managing civil justice during their time as Master of the Rolls. It was suggested by Lord Justice Peter Coulson, the Deputy Head of Civil Justice, who also spoke at the Conference, that it might have been the first time three Masters of the Rolls had ever appeared together.

Following the Conference, speakers and conference attendees enjoyed a drinks reception and dinner at Mansfield College. The Conference was organised by Andrew Higgins, Associate Professor of Civil Procedure, with the support of Jessica Allen (BCL 2018) and was generously sponsored by Herbert Smith Freehills. There will also be a book to mark the anniversary conference which will be published later this year.