Source: https://pailsolicitors.co.uk/digital-intellectual-property-solicitors/how-to-make-effective-use-of-requests-for-further-information-cpr-part-18
Timestamp: 2018-11-20 11:29:50
Document Index: 294317340

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 18', 'art 18', 'art 18', 'art 18', 'art 18', 'art 20', 'art 31', 'art31', 'art31']

How To Make Effective Use Of Requests for further information – CPR Part 18? | Internet Lawyers
1.	What is a Part 18 request for further information?
1.1	A Part 18 requests for further information (RFI) is one of the tools in a litigators armoury in which to advance its claim, defence or counterclaim. It is a procedure in civil litigation used to get a better understanding of the case being made by the party receiving the request. It is called Part 18 RFI because that is the number where you can find the rules for this procedure in the White Book Civil Procedure Rules, the bible for UK litigation practitioners. The White Book is updated every year. You can also find the Civil Procedure Rules online.
2.	Procedure for Part 18 requests for further information
2.1	The preliminary request
2.2	Timing of RFI
2.3	Small track claims
3.	Strategy – In what circumstances is an RFI used?
3.1	Where a statement of case i.e. claim form, of claim, a defence, Part 20 claim (counterclaim), or reply to defence is received which has not set out the case advanced by either claimant or defendant an RFI can be used with devastating effect not just to seek clarity but to expose the inherent vulnerability of the case being advanced CPR 18 (CPR 18.1(1)).
3.1.1	When it should be used
3.1.2	When caution should be exercised
4.	RFI used in conjunction with disclosure and inspection
4.1	Information requested may not be confined to asking for clarification of vague or incomprehensible statements or to provide additional information to matters stated in a statement of case, it could also be requesting information regarding a matter that is not contained or referred to in a statement of case (CPR18.1(1)(a) and (b).
4.1.1	RFI’s can be used very effectively with Part 31 Disclosure and Inspection of Documents. For example, the response to the RFI can indicate the existence of evidence that was not mentioned in the statement of case. The requesting party can request any document disclosed by the other party. The other party discloses a document by stating that the document exists or has existed (CPR 31.2). Pursuant to CPR 31.14, a party may inspect a document mentioned in, inter alia (CPR 31.14(1)(a) to (d), a statement of case.
4.1.2	Any response given under CPR 18 is a statement of case (Interpretation CPR 2.3). The requesting party has a right to inspect such document simply because it is mentioned in the response to RFI whether a list of documents have been served or whether pleadings are closed. Practice direction 31B governs disclosure of electronic documents https://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/civil/rules/part31/pd_part31b . Electronic documents are included within the definition of documents under CPR 31.4. Metadata is included within the scope of electronic documents.
5.	When Are RFI’s Unacceptable?
•	When the RFI us oppressive, unreasonable and/or disproportionate in terms of scope and costs. (CPR PD 18, para 1.2) RFI must be ‘reasonably necessary and proportionate (see Stocker v Stocker) (see Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch v CIMB Bank Berhad);
•	When the RFI is simply a fishing exercise (see Mireskandari and Barness);
•	When the RFI is used simply to challenge the credibility of a witness;
•	When the RFI is irrelevant to the issues in dispute. Must be ‘strictly necessary to understand another party’s case’ (see Vava v Anglos American ); and
•	When the timing of the RFI is inappropriate. (see National Grid Electricity Transmission v ABB).