CORONAVIRUS – A USEFUL CASE: MASTER ALLOWS PARTY TO VARY DIRECTIONS BY CONSENT BY 56 DAYS

7BR’s website carries an interesting report  from Adam Korn of a judgment today where Master Davison made an order extending the amount of time the parties can agree to vary directions.  This was directly because of potential difficulties arising out of coronoavirus.

THE CASE

The report is available here. 

In a complex personal injury case the Master granted the claimant’s request that the parties be allowed to agree extensions of time for up to 56 days by consent without further order.

Adam notes: “This direction was specifically sought by the Claimant’s representatives in the absence of any formal guidance by the Civil Procedure Rules in light of the Covid-19 Pandemic”

DOES THIS GO FAR ENOUGH?

People have already commented that  this may not be enough, or the period of 56 days long enough.   However it is a sign that the courts are becoming fully aware of the reality of the situation.

ANY OTHER REPORTS

If anyone has similar cases please let me know.