Practice Direction 55C updated to extend temporary provisions in relation to stayed possession proceedings

Update provides for 'interim period' to remain in force to 30 July 2021 and extends period for filing and service of a 'reactivation notice' to 30 April 2021

The Master of the Rolls Sir Geoffrey Vos and Courts Minister Chris Philp have approved amendments to Practice Direction 55C (PD55C) to extend temporary provisions in relation to stayed possession proceedings in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Included among amendments in the 127^th Practice Direction Update, the changes to PD55C - that includes provision for how stayed possession proceedings can be resumed following the lifting of the stay on evictions on 23 August 2020, and how new cases issued after the stay are managed - provide that-

• the 'interim period' the Direction remains in force is extended from its original end date of 28 March 2021 to 30 July 2021; and
• the period for filing and service of a ‘reactivation notice’ (and related requirements) is extended from 29 January 2021 to 30 April 2021.

NB - PD55C requires a reactivation notice to be filed and served by one of the parties - that confirms they wish the case to be restarted - before a stayed claim which was brought before 3 August 2020, or a case subject to management directions made before 20 September 2020, can be restarted.

For more information, see Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2021 & the 127th Practice Direction Update from judiciary.uk