Guidance

Procedure rules and forms for civil proceedings in magistrates’ courts and the Crown Court

Procedures rules and forms not replaced by the Criminal Procedure Rules or the Family Procedure Rules and statutory instruments.

Applies to England and Wales

Procedure rules and forms

The following sets of procedure rules only contain the rules and forms that have not been replaced by the Criminal Procedure Rules or the Family Procedure Rules:

All the procedure rules were made under section 144 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 and section 84 of the Senior Courts Act 1981.

The following tables display the statutory instruments containing these rules.

Statutory Instruments for magistrates’ courts

Number Title
SI 2024/1043 Magistrates’ Courts (Detention, Freezing and Forfeiture of Cryptoassets, and Miscellaneous Amendments) Rules 2024
SI 2024/1042 Magistrates’ Courts (Detention, Freezing and Forfeiture of Terrorist Cryptoassets, and Miscellaneous Amendments) Rules 2024
SI 2024/1041 Magistrates’ Courts (Conversion of Terrorist Cryptoassets) Rules 2024
SI 2024/1040 Magistrates’ Courts (Conversion of Cryptoassets) Rules 2024
SI 2024/254 Magistrates’ Courts (Amendment) Rules 2024
SI 2022/523 Magistrates’ Courts (Amendment) Rules 2022
SI 2021/626 Magistrates’ Courts (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2021
SI 2021/459 Magistrates’ Courts (Amendment) Rules 2021
SI 2020/284 Magistrates’ Courts (Functions of Authorised Persons – Civil Proceedings) Rules 2020
SI 2020/210 Magistrates’ Courts (Knife Crime Prevention Orders) Rules 2020
SI 2019/1369 Magistrates’ Courts (Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (External Requests and Orders) Order 2005, Part 5B) Rules 2019
SI 2019/1368 Magistrates’ Courts (Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (External Requests and Orders) Order 2005, Part 5A, and Miscellaneous Amendments) Rules 2019
SI 2019/1367 Magistrates’ Courts (Amendment) Rules 2019
SI 2018/66 Magistrates’ Courts (Immigration Act 2014) (Freezing Orders) Rules 2018
SI 2017/1297 Magistrates’ Courts (Freezing and Forfeiture of Money in Bank and Building Society Accounts) Rules 2017
SI 2017/1296 Magistrates’ Courts (Detention and Forfeiture of Terrorist Assets) Rules 2017
SI 2017/1295 Magistrates’ Courts (Detention and Forfeiture of Terrorist Cash) (Amendment) Rules 2017
SI 2017/1293 Magistrates’ Courts (Detention and Forfeiture of Listed Assets) Rules 2017
SI 2017/1291 Magistrates’ Courts (Detention and Forfeiture of Cash) (Amendment) Rules 2017
SI 2017/1290 Magistrates’ Courts (Freezing and Forfeiture of Terrorist Money in Bank and Building Society Accounts) Rules 2017
SI 2017/1199 Magistrates’ Courts (Adult Protection and Support Orders) Rules 2017
SI 2016/745 Magistrates’ Courts (Forfeiture of Political Donations) (Amendment) Rules 2016
SI 2016/546 Magistrates’ Courts (Psychoactive Substances Act 2016) (Transfer of Proceedings) Rules 2016
SI 2015/1478 Magistrates’ Courts (Modern Slavery Act 2015) Rules 2015
SI 2015/423 Magistrates’ Courts (Injunctions: Anti-Social Behaviour) Rules 2015
SI 2015/421 Magistrates’ Courts (Injunctions: Gang-related Violence) Rules 2015
SI 2012/2563 Magistrates’ Courts (Regulation of Investigatory Powers) Rules 2012
SI 2012/2018 Magistrates’ Courts (Sexual Offences Act 2003) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Rules 2012
SI 2012/1275 Magistrates’ Courts (Detention and Forfeiture of Cash) (Amendment) Rules 2012
SI 2011/1434 Magistrates’ Courts (Domestic Violence Protection Order Proceedings) Rules 2011
SI 2010/605 Magistrates’ Courts (Foreign Travel Orders) (Amendment) Rules 2010
SI 2009/3362 Magistrates’ Courts (Amendment) Rules 2009
SI 2009/2937 Magistrates’ Courts (Drinking Banning Orders) Rules 2009
SI 2009/2197 Magistrates’ Courts (Violent Offender Orders) Rules 2009
SI 2005/2930 Magistrates’ Courts (Miscellaneous Amendments) Rules 2005
SI 2005/545 Justices’ Clerks Rules 2005
SI 2004/2993 Magistrates’ Courts (Amendment) Rules 2004
SI 2004/2419 Magistrates’ Courts (Reports Relating to Adult Witnesses) Rules 2004
SI 2004/1053 Magistrates’ Courts (Risk of Sexual Harm Orders) Rules 2004
SI 2004/1052 Magistrates’ Courts (Notification Orders) Rules 2004
SI 2004/1051 Magistrates’ Courts (Foreign Travel Orders) Rules 2004
SI 2003/1645 Magistrates’ Courts (Forfeiture of Political Donations) Rules 2003
SI 2003/1236 Magistrates’ Courts (Miscellaneous Amendments) Rules 2003
SI 2003/638 Magistrates’ Courts (Detention and Forfeiture of Cash) (Amendment) Rules 2003
SI 2003/423 Magistrates’ Courts (Amendment) Rules 2003
SI 2002/2998 Magistrates’ Courts (Detention and Forfeiture of Cash) Rules 2002
SI 2002/2784 Magistrates’ Courts (Anti-Social Behaviour Orders) Rules 2002
SI 2001/4013 Magistrates’ Courts (Detention and Forfeiture of Terrorist Cash) (No 2) Rules 2001
SI 2001/615 Magistrates’ Courts (Transfer of Justices’ Clerks’ Functions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Rules 2001
SI 2001/610 Magistrates’ Courts (Amendment No 2) Rules 2001
SI 2001/167 Magistrates’ Courts (Amendment) Rules 2001
SI 2001/164 Magistrates’ Courts (Civilian Enforcement Officers) Rules 2001
SI 2000/3361 Magistrates’ Courts (Amendment) Rules 2000
SI 1999/2765 Magistrates’ Courts (Miscellaneous Amendments) Rules 1999
SI 1999/681 Magistrates’ Courts (Hearsay Evidence in Civil Proceedings) Rules 1999
SI 1998/2167 Magistrates’ Courts (Miscellaneous Amendments) Rules 1998
SI 1997/707 Magistrates’ Courts (Forms) (Amendment) Rules 1997
SI 1997/706 Magistrates’ Courts (Amendment) Rules 1997
SI 1995/2619 Magistrates’ Courts (Amendment) (No 2) Rules 1995
SI 1995/585 Magistrates’ Courts (Amendment) Rules 1995
SI 1994/3154 Magistrates’ Courts (Miscellaneous Amendments) Rules 1994
SI 1993/1183 Magistrates’ Courts (Miscellaneous Amendments) Rules 1993
SI 1992/2072 Magistrates’ Courts (Criminal Justice Act 1991) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Rules 1992
SI 1992/2069 Magistrates’ Courts (Attendance Centre) Rules 1992
SI 1992/729 Magistrates’ Courts (Miscellaneous Amendments) Rules 1992
SI 1991/2096 Magistrates’ Courts (Costs Against Legal Representatives in Civil Proceedings) Rules 1991
SI 1990/2260 Magistrates’ Courts (Civilian Enforcement Officers) Rules 1990
SI 1990/1190 Magistrates’ Courts (Civilian Fine Enforcement Officers) Rules 1990
SI 1990/336 Magistrates’ Courts (Witnesses’ Addresses) Rules 1990
SI 1989/1597 Magistrates’ Courts (Extradition) Rules 1989
SI 1989/300 Magistrates’ Courts (Amendment) Rules 1989
SI 1988/2132 Magistrates’ Courts (Criminal Justice Act 1988) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Rules 1988
SI 1986/1333 Magistrates’ Courts (Forms) (Amendment) Rules 1986
SI 1986/1332 Magistrates’ Courts (Amendment) Rules 1986
SI 1985/1945 Magistrates’ Courts (Forms) (Amendment) Rules 1985
SI 1985/1944 Magistrates’ Courts (Amendment) Rules 1985
SI 1984/1552 Magistrates’ Courts (Amendment) Rules 1984
SI 1983/524 Magistrates’ Courts (Forms) (Amendment) Rules 1983
SI 1983/523 Magistrates’ Courts (Amendment) Rules 1983
SI 1981/553 Magistrates’ Courts (Forms) Rules 1981
SI 1981/552 Magistrates’ Courts Rules 1981

Statutory Instruments for Crown Court

Number Title
SI 2024/259 Crown Court (Amendment) Rules 2024
SI 2017/1287 Crown Court (Amendment) Rules 2017
SI 2009/3361 Crown Court (Amendment) Rules 2009
SI 2004/2991 Crown Court (Amendment No 3) Rules 2004
SI 2004/1292 Crown Court (Amendment No 2) Rules 2004
SI 2004/1047 Crown Court (Amendment) Rules 2004
SI 2003/1664 Crown Court (Amendment) (No 3) Rules 2003
SI 2003/1646 Crown Court (Forfeiture of Political Donations) Rules 2003
SI 2003/639 Crown Court (Amendment) (No 2) Rules 2003
SI 2003/422 Crown Court (Amendment) Rules 2003
SI 2002/2997 Crown Court (Amendment) (No 2) Rules 2002
SI 2002/2783 Crown Court (Amendment) Rules 2002
SI 2001/4012 Crown Court (Amendment) (No 3) Rules 2001
SI 2001/614 Crown Court (Amendment) Rules 2001
SI 2001/193 Crown Court (Amendment) Rules 2001
SI 2000/3362 Crown Court (Amendment) (No 3) Rules 2000
SI 2000/2987 Crown Court (Amendment) (No 2) Rules 2000
SI 2000/2093 Crown Court (Amendment) Rules 2000
SI 1999/3040 Crown Court (Forms Amendment) Rules 1999
SI 1999/2838 Crown Court (Amendment) Rules 1999
SI 1999/598 Crown Court (Miscellaneous Amendments) Rules 1999
SI 1998/2168 Crown Court (Amendment) Rules 1998
SI 1997/701 Crown Court (Amendment) Rules 1997
SI 1995/2618 Crown Court (Amendment) Rules 1995
SI 1994/3153 Crown Court (Amendment) (No 2) Rules 1994
SI 1991/1288 Crown Court (Amendment) Rules 1991
SI 1990/2157 Crown Court (Amendment) Rules 1990
SI 1989/1103 Crown Court (Amendment) (No 2) Rules 1989
SI 1988/2131 Crown Court (Amendment) (No 4) Rules 1988
SI 1988/1635 Crown Court (Amendment) (No 3) Rules 1988
SI 1988/1322 Crown Court (Amendment) (No 2) Rules 1988
SI 1988/952 Crown Court (Amendment) Rules 1988
SI 1982/1109 Crown Court Rules 1982

Statutory Instruments for rules that have no effect

Although some rules have not been revoked or amended explicitly, they have now been superseded completely by the Family Procedure Rules 2010 and later amendments. The following table lists rules that have no effect.

name colour
SI 1974/706 Magistrates’ Courts (Guardianship of Minors) Rules 1974
SI 1986/1141 Magistrates’ Courts (Child Abduction and Custody) Rules 1986
SI 1986/1962 Magistrates’ Courts (Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982) Rules 1986
SI 1990/1909 Magistrates’ Courts (Social Security Act 1986) (Transfer of Orders to Maintain and Enforcement of Maintenance Orders) Rules 1990
SI 1992/457 Magistrates’ Courts (Maintenance Enforcement Act 1991) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Rules 1992
SI 1992/2071 Magistrates’ Courts (Children and Young Persons) Rules 1992
SI 1993/627 Family Proceedings Courts (Child Support Act 1991) Rules 1993
SI 1999/1343 Magistrates’ Courts (Children and Young Persons) (Amendment) Rules 1999
SI 2000/1875 Maintenance Orders (Facilities for Enforcement) (Amendment) Rules 2000
SI 2001/778 Family Proceedings Courts (Family Law Act 1986) Rules 2001
SI 2001/818 Family Proceedings Courts (Children Act 1989) (Amendment) Rules 2001
SI 2003/2840 Family Proceedings Courts (Children Act 1989) (Amendment) Rules 2003
SI 2004/247 Magistrates’ Courts (Parenting Orders) Rules 2004
SI 2004/3376 Family Proceedings Courts (Children Act 1989) (Amendment) Rules 2004
SI 2005/229 Family Proceedings Courts (Children Act 1989) (Amendment) Rules 2005
SI 2005/413 Family Proceedings Courts (Children Act 1989) (Amendment No 2) Rules 2005
SI 2005/585 Family Proceedings Courts (Children Act 1989) (Amendment No 3) Rules 2005
SI 2005/1977 Family Proceedings Courts (Miscellaneous Amendments) Rules 2005
SI 2007/2188 Family Proceedings Courts (Miscellaneous Amendments) Rules 2007
SI 2007/2222 Magistrates’ Courts (Parenting Orders) (Amendment) Rules 2007
SI 2007/2267 Magistrates’ Courts (Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders) (Miscellaneous Amendment) Rules 2007
SI 2008/2858 Family Proceedings Courts (Children Act 1989) (Amendment) Rules 2008
SI 2008/2859 Magistrates’ Courts (Enforcement of Children Act 1989 Contact Orders) Rules 2008
SI 2009/637 Family Proceedings Courts (Children Act 1989) (Amendment) Rules 2009
SI 2009/858 Family Proceedings Courts (Miscellaneous Amendments) Rules 2009
SI 2009/2025 Family Proceedings Courts (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No 2) Rules 2009
SI 2010/787 Family Proceedings Courts (Children Act 1989) (Amendment) Rules 2010
SI 2010/1065 Family Proceedings Courts (Children Act 1989) (Amendment) (No 2) Rules 2010

Updates to this page

Published 6 July 2000
Last updated 30 October 2024 + show all updates
  1. Appeal from magistrates’ court to Crown Court in civil proceedings relating to cryptoassets: ATCSA 2001 and Appeal from magistrates’ court to Crown Court in civil proceedings relating to cryptoassets: POCA 2002 published.

  2. Statutory Instruments for magistrates' courts updated.

  3. Application for McKenzie friend in magistrates’ court civil proceedings published and Magistrates’ Courts Rules 1981, Crown Court Rules 1982 updated.

  4. Magistrates’ Courts Rules 1981 updated.

  5. Magistrates’ Courts Rules 1981 updated.

  6. First published.

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