The Damages Claims Portal (DCP) Revolution is upon us
In order to modernise the outdated justice system and bring it into line with the 21st Century, HMCTS have created a new way of serving and responding to claims in the form of the Damages Claims Portal (DCP). The DCP must be used for all new damages claims in the county court from 4th April 2022. The DCP is accessible for all damages claims which would usually adopt the traditional Part 7 claims process. The DCP is aimed to be a digital friendly means of commencing claims and conducting early case management; for the time being, the DCP only runs to the Directions stage. Once the case reaches this stage, it exits the DCP and continues in the county court process under the present format. The DCP currently allows users to issue and serve proceedings, acknowledge receipt, file a Defence, seek a Defence extension, file directions questionnaires and file proposed directions. The eventual objective of the DCP is able to provide a digital service on cases from start to finish i.e. pre action to enforcement.
The DCP has now left the initial pilot stage and is now compulsory for all damages claims. New cases from 4th April 2022 must be issued on the DCP by Claimant solicitors and it will become compulsory for Defendant solicitors to use from June 2022. Legal professionals must be aware and become familiar with the inner workings on the DCP as it is the future of case management on all damages claims. The DPC has revolutionised the claims process and will hopefully develop into a more efficient justice system.
PIC can help Claimant firms with the transition to the DCP and advise in relation to the DCP. Please get in touch with PIC for further assistance.
Costs Draftsman & Solicitor
07.04.22