CPR updates

Senior Courts, CPR and 196th practice direction changes—1 October 2026

The Senior Courts (Transfer, Amendment and Consequential Provision) Order 2026, SI 2026/723, renames the Chancery Division as the Business and Property Division and transfers the Admiralty Court and Commercial Court from the King’s Bench Division. Related amendments in the Civil Procedure (Amendment No 2) Rules 2026, SI 2026/817, implement the new divisional structure and also, reflect the movement of the Circuit Commercial Courts and Technology and Construction Court into the Business and Property Division. The Rules also amend provisions concerning costs management, disclosure, arbitration appeals, respect orders and traffic enforcement.

The 196th PD update makes corresponding amendments across the PDs, including the substantial revision and renaming of CPR PD 57AA. It also amends provisions on disclosure statements, online claims pilots, nationally significant infrastructure project challenges, arbitration appeals, respect orders and traffic enforcement.