Case Management Conference (CMC) in UK civil courts. What happens and how to prepare.

A Case Management Conference, or CMC, is a hearing in the middle of your case where a judge meets with you and the other side to set out a roadmap for getting to trial. It's not the trial itself, and you won't be deciding who wins. Instead, the judge makes sure everyone understands what documents have to be exchanged, when witness statements are due, whether experts are needed, and roughly how long the trial will take. It's the point where a vague dispute becomes a timetable, and you move from arguing informally to preparing for court.

If you're a litigant in person (representing yourself), a CMC is where you'll probably have your first proper exchange with the judge. The hearing is usually straightforward, maybe 30 to 60 minutes. But the preparation matters. Going in unprepared can mean a judge sets a timetable you can't keep up with, or makes orders that cost you more money.

Here's what you need to know.

The short version

A CMC is a procedural hearing held in the middle of a civil case, after the Defence has been filed but before trial. It's governed by Civil Procedure Rule Part 29 (for multi-track cases) and Part 28 (for fast track cases). The judge's job is to manage the case and set a timetable for disclosure, witness statements, expert evidence, and trial.

The judge hears short submissions from each side about how the case should be managed. You and the other side usually file proposed directions in advance (the orders you think the judge should make). The judge then makes a Directions Order, which becomes binding on both sides.

If you don't comply with the directions, the other side can ask the court to sanction you for breach, which can mean costs orders against you or, in serious cases, striking out your entire case.

At a glance

What a Case Management Conference actually is

A CMC is a procedural hearing. That means nobody is giving evidence, nobody is being cross-examined, and the judge is not hearing arguments about who's right on the facts. The judge is purely managing the case administratively, making sure both sides have a fair opportunity to prepare, and setting out a timetable everyone can follow.

It's similar to an administrative hearing in the middle of your case. You might compare it to a project manager setting a schedule with a client before work starts, except the project manager is the judge, the clients are you and the other side, and the consequence of missing a deadline is a court order.

The CMC is not compulsory in every case. In fast track cases (claims under 25,000 pounds or certain types of dispute), judges sometimes issue directions without a hearing. But in multi-track cases (claims over 50,000 pounds, or smaller claims of complexity), a CMC is standard practice.

The rules that govern it

Case Management Conferences are governed by Part 29 of the Civil Procedure Rules if your case is multi-track (the default for larger claims). Part 28 governs fast track cases (smaller claims that are meant to reach trial faster).

The key rule is that at a CMC, the court must ensure the case is progressed to trial efficiently and fairly. The judge must consider:

• How the parties' case should be managed.
• Whether the disclosure is likely to be proportionate to the value and complexity of the case.
• What expert evidence is actually needed.
• Whether trial will be by judge alone or with a jury (rare in civil; common question is whether oral evidence is needed or whether written evidence suffices).
• What the trial is actually about (sometimes parties think they're fighting about one thing and the judge clarifies what the real legal issue is).

The court's overarching objective is to deal with cases justly and at proportionate cost. If you're a litigant in person, the judge has a duty to explain things to you, but that doesn't mean the judge will give you legal advice. The judge's role is neutral and administrative.

When does a CMC happen

A CMC usually happens about 4 to 8 weeks after your case is allocated to a track. The allocation happens after both the Claim and Defence have been filed. The judge looks at the complexity and value of the claim and decides whether it's fast track or multi-track.

For multi-track cases, the parties then file a Directions Questionnaire (form N181). Both you and the other side answer questions about the case: how long do you think disclosure will take, do you need experts, what's the likely trial length, and so on. The judge then lists a CMC hearing, usually within 2 to 3 weeks of the questionnaires being filed.

In some cases (particularly simple multi-track cases), the judge might issue directions without a hearing, and the CMC is cancelled. But if the case has any complexity, or if either side disagrees on the proposed directions, a hearing will be listed.

Who attends

For a CMC, you can attend in person, or you can send a solicitor or barrister to represent you. If you're a litigant in person, you can attend yourself, or you can ask a McKenzie Friend (a non-lawyer who supports you in court) to attend with you.

Judges vary in their preference. Some prefer the actual party to attend so they can understand the case from the person who lived it. Others are happy with a solicitor or barrister. If you're represented, your lawyer should attend unless the judge orders otherwise.

If you don't attend and neither does your representative, and the judge can't reach you by phone, the judge can sometimes make orders in your absence. This is risky because you might not like what the judge decides, and you'd have to ask for the order to be set aside and the hearing re-heard.

In County Court, a CMC is usually heard by a District Judge. In the High Court, it's usually heard by a Master. Both have the same powers to make directions orders.

What gets decided at a CMC

The Directions Order made at a CMC typically covers:

Disclosure timetable. Both sides have to give each other copies of all documents relevant to the case. The judge sets a deadline for when lists of documents must be exchanged, and when the actual documents must be handed over. Disclosure is usually the most time-consuming part of a case before trial. In a complex case it might take 6 to 12 weeks. The judge has to be satisfied it's proportionate (you shouldn't spend 100,000 pounds on disclosure in a 50,000 pound claim).

Witness statements. The parties agree (or the judge decides) how many witnesses each side can call, and by when. Most cases are decided on written witness statements, not oral evidence. The statement has to be filed and served on the other side at least 2 weeks before trial so the other side has time to prepare their cross-examination. The judge might limit you to 3 or 4 witnesses if you have more than that. This is often where litigants in person struggle, because judges don't allow you to call 20 witnesses to prove a point that 3 can make.

Expert evidence. If you need an expert (an engineer, doctor, accountant, or other specialist), the judge decides whether one expert each, or a joint expert. A joint expert is cheaper but less likely to be partisan to your case. Experts usually have to file reports by a set date and then meet (sometimes called a "without prejudice meeting" or "hot-tub session") to try to agree on the facts they can agree on, so the judge only hears them cross-examined on the points they disagree on.

Trial window. The judge sets a window within which the trial must happen. For example, "Trial to take place in the period 1 June 2026 to 30 July 2026". Neither side can book the trial for outside that window.

Estimated trial length. Both sides propose how long the trial will take (half a day, one day, three days, etc.). The judge approves or adjusts this. If you get this wrong, it can disrupt the whole court schedule.

Costs budgeting (multi-track only). If your case is multi-track, each side has to file a Precedent H (a budget form) setting out how much they've spent and expect to spend on the case. The judge reviews these and might cap costs at a level they think is proportionate. This is important because if you spend much more than the budget and lose, you'll recover less from the other side.

Other orders. The judge might also order that one side serve a Reply, that the parties have a without-prejudice settlement conference, that there's a further CMC later if needed, or other procedural matters.

What to bring to a CMC

You need to bring:

• A case bundle. This is a bundle of key documents in the case so far: claim, defence, letters, documents complained about, and anything else that sets out the dispute. It should be paginated and have an index. For a CMC you don't need thousands of pages; a 100 to 200 page bundle is usually enough to let the judge understand the case.

• Your proposed Directions Order. Before the CMC, both sides file proposed directions (orders you think the judge should make). You'll get a template from the court or your legal team. In it you propose the timetables I described above: when disclosure is due, when witness statements, when experts, what trial length, and so on. The judge will have read these and often will use one of them as the basis for the order.

• A Disclosure Report (Form N263). This is a short statement confirming that you've carried out a reasonable search for documents relevant to the case, and setting out roughly what categories of documents you hold (emails with the claimant, invoices, contracts, bank statements, etc.).

• Any statements supporting your proposed directions. For example, if you think the trial should be 2 days long, you might file a short statement explaining why. Or if you're saying disclosure will take 6 weeks, you explain what documents you have to gather.

• A hearing statement (sometimes called a CMC statement). This is a short summary of what you want the judge to decide and why. It doesn't have to be long, but it should set out the main points you want to make about the timetable.

The other side will file the same documents. Usually these are all filed 2 weeks before the hearing.

What happens during a CMC

The hearing usually starts with the judge reading the bundles and the proposed directions filed by both sides.

Then the judge will invite each side to make short submissions. These aren't legal arguments about the law; they're arguments about how the case should be managed. For example, you might say "We can't complete disclosure by the claimant's proposed date of 15 weeks because we have documents scattered across five offices and we need more time." Or the other side might say "The defendant's estimate of a 2-day trial is unrealistic; based on the issues, we need 4 days."

The judge will ask questions: "Why do you need 4 days?" or "What documents don't you have yet?" The judge is trying to understand whether the proposed timetable is realistic.

You don't give evidence at a CMC, and you're not cross-examined. The judge is asking for explanation, not testing your credibility. So you can answer simply and honestly.

Once both sides have made their submissions, the judge will usually say what they're going to order right then and there. Sometimes they'll take a few minutes and give a short judgment. In straightforward cases the judge often agrees with one side's proposals, or combines elements of both.

The judge then makes a Directions Order, which is typed up by the court and sealed (given an official court stamp). You and the other side get a copy.

What happens after the CMC

The Directions Order becomes binding on both sides. If the order says disclosure is due on 15 November, and you don't disclose by then, the other side can apply to court to sanction you. Sanctions can include:

• A costs order (you pay part or all of the other side's legal costs).
• An unless order (you're given one more deadline; if you miss it, your claim or defence is struck out and you lose the case automatically).
• Other remedies, like the case being adjourned (delayed) while you catch up.

So it matters to understand the directions and make sure you can meet them before you agree to them.

But the directions can be varied if circumstances change. If, after the CMC, something happens that makes the timetable unrealistic (a key witness becomes unavailable, you discover thousands more documents, the other side's barrister is seriously ill), you can ask the court to vary the order. This usually means filing an application notice and asking for a further hearing. The judge won't change the order lightly, but if the change is genuinely needed and you ask in time, it's often possible.

Most cases follow the Directions Order timetable and reach trial on schedule. Some cases settle before trial, particularly after disclosure when both sides see all the documents and get a clearer picture of the strength of each side's case.

How to prepare as a litigant in person

If you're representing yourself, a CMC can feel intimidating because it's your first time in front of a judge. But judges know that litigants in person may not have legal knowledge, and they'll help you follow the procedure. Here's how to prepare:

Read your case carefully. Make sure you understand what the dispute is about. If you can summarise it in one paragraph, you're ready. If you can't, you need to reread the claim and defence until you can.

Gather your documents. Before you propose a disclosure timetable, count your documents roughly. How many emails are there? Do you have paper files? Are they in one place or scattered? If they're scattered, are they backed up somewhere? Once you understand what you have, you can estimate realistically how long disclosure will take you.

Be honest about what you need. If you think you need an expert (e.g., a surveyor to value a building you're disputing about), say so. If you think you need a doctor to write a report on your injury, say so. The judge will consider whether it's necessary and proportionate. If you ask for something you don't actually need, you'll be ordering yourself to do work that wastes time and money.

Propose a realistic timetable. This is the most important point. If you propose disclosure in 4 weeks and you know it will take 10 weeks, propose 10 weeks. The judge would rather give you 10 weeks than have you fail to disclose and then face a sanctions hearing later. A realistic timetable shows the judge you're organised and taking the case seriously.

Read the judge's questions carefully. If the judge asks you something, pause before you answer. Make sure you understand the question. If you don't, ask for clarification. ("I'm sorry, could you rephrase that?" is perfectly acceptable.)

Speak simply. You don't need to use legal jargon. Say "I have emails with the other side" not "I have correspondence in electronic form." Say "We haven't agreed on the facts" not "There remains a contested issue of fact." Judges prefer plain English.

Don't argue the merits. A CMC is not the place to argue whether the other side is right or wrong on the facts. The judge doesn't want to hear your account of what happened. The judge wants to know how long disclosure will take, how many witnesses you need, and how long the trial should be. Stick to those procedural questions.

Don't interrupt. If the other side is speaking, let them finish. Take notes if you want to reply, then say your piece when the judge invites you to.

Ask for help if you're confused. The judge has a duty to help litigants in person who don't understand procedure. If you don't know what a term means ("without prejudice", "precedent", "proportionality"), ask. The judge will explain.

Common misconceptions

"The CMC is where the judge decides if I'm going to win." Not true. The CMC is purely procedural. The judge isn't hearing evidence or deciding who's right. The judge is setting a timetable and making sure both sides are ready for trial.

"I have to agree to the timetable the judge proposes." No. If you think the timetable is unfair, you can argue against it. The judge will listen. But if the judge makes an order and you think it's wrong, you can appeal it later if it's very unreasonable. Usually though, judges get it about right, and you're best off complying.

"If I miss a disclosure deadline I can just ask for an extension." Maybe, but not without asking the court. If you're going to miss a deadline, you have to apply to vary the Directions Order before the deadline passes, not after. If you miss it and hope the other side doesn't notice, you're risking a sanctions hearing.

"I need a barrister to go to the CMC." No. Many litigants in person go to CMCs without representation. A solicitor or barrister can help (and usually does a better job), but you're allowed to go alone.

"The judge will help me because I'm unrepresented." The judge has a duty to be fair to you, and to explain procedure if you don't understand it. But the judge is not your lawyer. The judge won't write your directions for you or give you legal advice on the merits.

"My solicitor told me the CMC is just a formality." It's not completely informal (there's a judge and an order), but it is usually more relaxed than a trial. But don't underestimate it. The timetable the judge sets can make or break your case if you can't meet it.

Related concepts

If you're at the stage of a CMC, you'll come across other terms you might want to understand:

• Directions Questionnaire. The form both sides file before the CMC, answering questions about disclosure, experts, trial length, etc.

• Allocation to track. The decision the judge makes after the Defence is filed, putting your case on the fast track or multi-track depending on value and complexity.

• Disclosure. The exchange of documents between both sides. The CMC sets the timetable for this.

• Witness statements. Written evidence from people who know about the facts. The CMC decides how many each side can file and when.

• Expert evidence. Evidence from specialists (doctors, engineers, accountants, surveyors). The CMC decides whether experts are needed and whether each side has their own or shares a joint expert.

• Sanctions. Court orders punishing breach of a procedural order (e.g., costs orders, striking out).

• Precedent H. The costs budget form used in multi-track cases, filed before the CMC.

• Without prejudice. A confidential discussion aimed at settlement. "Without prejudice" means the other side can't use what you said in court later. Often ordered at CMCs.

• Trial bundle. The bundle of documents and statements that both sides rely on at trial. Usually ordered at the CMC; the trial bundle is built from documents exchanged during disclosure and witness statements filed beforehand.

• Pre-trial review. A further hearing (sometimes mandatory in multi-track cases) a few weeks before trial, to deal with any last-minute issues.

Sources

The information on this page is based on:

• Civil Procedure Rules Part 29 (multi-track case management). https://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/civil/rules/part29
• Civil Procedure Rules Part 28 (fast track case management). https://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/civil/rules/part28
• The Judiciary of England and Wales. General information on the civil courts. https://www.judiciary.uk/
• HM Courts and Tribunals Service. Court information and forms. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-courts-and-tribunals-service
• The Civil Procedure Rules, as updated. https://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/civil

This page was reviewed for accuracy on 2026-05-27. UK court procedure rules and practices change occasionally. For the most current information, check the Civil Procedure Rules or the judiciary website.

A note on what this page is and isn't

This is information about UK court procedure, not legal advice about your particular case. It explains how Case Management Conferences work in English and Welsh civil courts.

If you have a CMC coming up in your own case, you should talk to a solicitor about how the procedure applies to your specific situation, what timetables are realistic for your documents, and how to prepare for your hearing.

CaseCalm helps litigants in person understand court procedures and draft their own documents. We are not a law firm and we are not authorised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. When your situation needs legal advice specific to your case, we point you to qualified professionals.

Written by Peter Kolomiets. Reviewed for accuracy 2026-05-27. Comments or corrections to peter@casecalm.com.