Amendments to CPR PD51Z on 20 April 2020
There main changes:
- Particular trespasser proceedings excluded from the 90 -day stay.
As of now, the 90-day stay imposed by paragraph 2 of CPR PD51Z no longer concerns:
a-Claims issued against trespassers to which CPR 55.6 applies (‘claims issued against “persons unknown”’); nor
b-Applications for Interim Possession Orders (‘IPOs’) under Section III of Part 55 (including the making of any order, the hearing and applications to set aside an IPO);
- Where directions have already been agreed by those involved
The Practice Direction also provides that the stay does not apply to applications for case management directions which are agreed by all the parties
- Issuing possession proceedings
Paragraph 3 of the CPR PD 51Z has been amended to clarify - that possession proceedings may still be issued even if they will then be ‘stayed’.
Lastly,
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s guidance in - ‘Coronavirus Act 2020 and renting’ (April 2020 v2) – is stating the followings:
“We strongly advise landlords not to commence or continue possession proceedings during this challenging time without a very good reason to do so. It is essential we work together during these unprecedented times to keep each other safe.”
Please see below link to the Judiciary news article