FLK1 · Dispute Resolution

Tracks & case management

SQE1 revision notes — the key rules, leading cases and common traps for this topic, in plain English and current to 2026.

DR.05 — Tracks & Case Management

After a defended claim, the court allocates it to a track. Allocation is driven by the statement of value but the court has discretion (CPR Part 26).

The four tracks

Small claims track — normally up to £10,000. PI: the pain/suffering/loss-of-amenity (PSLA) element must not exceed £5,000 for a qualifying RTA claim (accident on/after 31 May 2021), £1,000 in the rule 26.10 exception cases, and £1,500 for non-RTA PI (e.g. employers'/public liability). Housing disrepair small-claims limit is £1,000. Limited costs recovery — usually only fixed/court fees, not solicitors' costs.
Fast track — £10,000 to £25,000; trial estimated at no more than one day; expert evidence limited (one expert per party per field, max two fields). Fixed recoverable costs apply.
Intermediate track — £25,000 to £100,000 (introduced October 2023). For less complex claims, trial no more than three days, max three experts. Subject to fixed recoverable costs by complexity band (1–4).
Multi-track — over £100,000, or any case too complex for a lower track.

Allocation

On filing the directions questionnaire, the court allocates having regard to factors in CPR 26.13: financial value, nature of remedy, complexity, number of parties, expert evidence, importance to non-parties, and views/circumstances of the parties. Note CPR Part 26 was renumbered in force 6 April 2024 — the substance is unchanged but rule numbers differ from older materials.

Case management

The overriding objective (CPR 1.1) — deal with cases justly and at proportionate cost — governs everything. The court actively manages cases (CPR 1.4) and gives directions at allocation (standard directions for small claims/fast track; a costs and case management conference (CCMC) with costs budgets / Precedent H on the multi-track).

Common traps

Value vs track ≠ automatic — allocation is the court's decision; statement of value only indicates the normal track. Disregard any amount not genuinely in dispute and any contributory negligence/counterclaim for valuation.
Don't confuse the PSLA sub-limits (£5,000 qualifying RTA / £1,000 in the rule 26.10 exceptions / £1,500 non-RTA) with the £10,000 small-claims ceiling.
The intermediate track is not the fast track — different band, three-day trial, complexity bands drive costs.
Costs budgeting is a multi-track feature (not fast/intermediate, which use fixed recoverable costs).

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A supplier delivered industrial machinery to a manufacturer under a commercial sale contract. The machinery was defective and caused a fire that injured a factory worker employed by the manufacturer. The worker suffered burns and knew at once that the defective machine had caused his injuries. He wishes to bring a personal injury claim. Separately, the manufacturer wishes to sue the supplier under their contract for the financial loss it suffered when the fire damaged its factory premises. The breach and the fire both occurred on 3 March 2024. Which statement best describes the relevant primary limitation periods?

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