Judgments and orders

Drafting, drawing up and formal requirements

Judgments and orders must show the date on which they were made and must be sealed by the court. Other requirements are dependent upon the type of judgment or order and the court in which it is made.

Courts may draw up orders or direct that the parties do so. There are a number of court forms of orders and judgments. All consent orders are prepared by the parties.

Judgments can be given at the hearing or may be reserved to a later date. A reserved judgment is circulated to the parties on a confidential basis two days before it is handed down. This provides time, for example, to try and agree any consequential orders with the other parties. For further information about the purpose of reserving a judgment and concerns that may arise as a result, see Practice Notes: Reserved judgments—purpose and restrictions and Draft judgments—concerns over confidentiality and redactions.

For more details about drafting orders, see Practice Note: Judgments and orders—drafting and formalities.

For a Precedent final order, see: Order.

For specific guidance on orders made