Court of Appeal clarifies position on extensions of time (Hallam Estates v Baker)

Table of contents

• Practical implications
• Factual context
• Court details

Article summary

DR analysis: the Court of Appeal, with Lord Justice Jackson giving judgment, has upheld a costs judge decision to allow a reasonable extension of time for service of points of dispute. In doing so, Lord Justice Jackson emphasised the need for parties to take a more pragmatic approach in ensuring compliance with the overriding objective and that where a reasonable extension of time was sought ie one that would not impact on the progress of the proceedings it should be considered by the parties. This would have a less detrimental effect then the time and costs associated with a contested hearing. He noted that this position is to be reinforced by the introduction of the new provisions in CPR 3.8 on 5 June 2014 which introduce the so called ‘buffer agreements’ enabling parties to agree up to a 28 day extension of time.