Trusted by generations of students and litigators, A Practical Approach to Civil Procedure is the perfect guide through the maze of procedural requirements employed in the civil courts. Written by an expert in the field and co-editor of Blackstone's Civil Practice, the book provides a wide-ranging and detailed overview of the key statutory provisions, rules, practice directions and case law which govern the various stages of a civil litigation claim, making it essential reading for students and newly qualified litigators alike. Providing highly practical guidance throughout, the book charts the progress of a typical civil litigation claim, from funding litigation and issuing and serving proceedings, through to trial, enforcement and appeal. Full coverage of alternative dispute resolution is also included. Relevant sample documentation is featured throughout and introduces the reader to the forms and documents which will be encountered in practice, while key point summaries featured at the end of chapters highlight the essential points covered. Updated annually, this seventeenth edition has been fully revised to incorporate rule changes up to the Civil Procedure (Amendment No 4) Rules 2014 and the 71st Update. Changes incorporated into the new edition include the replacement of county courts based on districts with a single County Court; the modernization of the rules relating to enforcing judgments against goods; fixed costs in most fast track personal injury claims; changes to the rules on costs budgeting; and the post-Jackson approach to non-compliance with court orders and directions encapsulated in the landmark case of Mitchell v News Group Newspapers. Online Resource Centre Regular online updates provide easy access to changes in the field, allowing readers to keep abreast of current legislation and practice.

Stuart Sime is a Barrister and Course Director of the BPTC at The City Law School, City University, London.