AVOIDING THE PITFALLS OF DRAFTING PLEADINGS: WEBINAR 2nd APRIL 2026

The series on the “Current importance of pleadings” has now reached 59 posts. There are other posts in the series that are  imminent.  This webinar looks at issues in relation to drafting statements of case.

BOOKING DETAILS

Are available here. 

OVERVIEW

This webinar is designed primarily for personal injury and clinical negligence practitioners, although the principles discussed will also be relevant to practitioners working in other areas of litigation. The session will explore the purpose, structure, and practical drafting of statements of case within civil proceedings. It will highlight common mistakes made when preparing claim forms, particulars of claim, defences, and replies, and explain how these errors can affect the progress of a case.

The webinar will also examine procedural issues such as Part 18 requests, amendments to statements of case, and the role of pleadings at trial.

Overall, the session aims to provide practical guidance to help practitioners.

Objectives

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Understand why and where problems commonly arise in statements of case.
• Identify the key information that must be included in a claim form.
• Recognise the required elements of properly drafted particulars of claim.
• Identify common problem areas when drafting particulars of claim.
• Understand the circumstances in which pleadings may be struck out by the court.
• Determine what matters a claimant must properly plead in a claim.
• Understand the essential components that should be included in a defence.
• Identify when it is necessary to file a reply or a defence to a counterclaim.
• Understand the purpose and limits of Part 18 requests.
• Recognise the procedures for amending statements of case.
• Understand how statements of case are used and scrutinised at trial.
• Apply practical strategies to avoid common pleading pitfalls.