Chancellor announces case migration from Registrars to Central London County Court to reduce court waiting times

In an effort to reduce the current long waiting times to appear before a registrar in the High Court, the Chancellor of the High Court, in consultation with the court users committee, has agreed that certain cases that would usually appear before a registrar in the High Court may now be transferred to the County Court  sitting in Central London and be heard before a district judge.

Summary

The Chancellor has produced a note setting the criteria upon which cases will be transferred.

It should be noted that all winding-up petitions should continue to be issued in the High Court. The High Court will decide on any reallocation if appropriate. The power for such transfer is provided for by rule 13 of The Insolvency (Amendment) Rules 2015 (SI 2015/443).

All bankruptcy petitions must be listed and allocated in accordance with the Insolvency Rules 1986, SI 1986/1925, r 6.9A.

All High Court proceedings which are to be listed before a registrar in accordance with the Practice Direction—Insolvency Proceedings will continue to be issued and listed in the Royal Courts of Justice sitting in the Rolls Building.

With effect from 6 April 2015 certain proceedings will be issued and heard in the County Court sitting in Central London, such as applications to restore a company to the Register of Companies, among others.

This will take effect from 6 April 2015.

The full text of the note is as follows:

Note on listing and criteria for the transfer of work from the registrars to the County Court sitting in Central London

1. All winding up petitions must be issued and listed for initial hearing in the Royal Courts of Justice sitting in the Rolls Building.

2. All bankruptcy petitions must be listed and allocated in accordance with the Insolvency Rules 1986, SI 1986/1925, r 6.9A.

3. Save as provided above, all High Court proceedings which are to be listed before a registrar in accordance with the Practice Direction—Insolvency Proceedings will continue to be issued and listed in the Royal Courts of Justice sitting in the Rolls Building. In each case consideration will be