What is a case planning conference?
Under Rules 7.1-1 to 7.1-3, a party may request a CPC after a JCC has been held. A judge or associate judge conducts the CPC and must make a case plan order at the end. CPCs can be especially useful in cases that have become document-heavy, procedurally complicated, expert-driven or difficult to move toward trial.
Forms used in a CPC
- Form F19.2 — Notice of Case Planning Conference.
- Form F19.3 — Case Plan Proposal for the first CPC.
- Form F19.4 — Case Plan Order made at the conclusion of the CPC.
- Form F19.1 may be used for certain attendance-related applications.
How do you request a CPC?
- After a JCC has been held, obtain a CPC date and time from the registry.
- File Form F19.2.
- For the first CPC, serve the filed notice at least 35 days before the conference unless the court orders a shorter period or the parties agree otherwise.
- For a later CPC, the ordinary service period is at least 7 days.
An application to shorten the service period is made by requisition in Form F18.1 and, unless the court orders otherwise, may be made without notice.
Case plan proposals for the first CPC
For the first CPC, the requesting party generally must file and serve Form F19.3 within 14 days after serving the CPC notice. Each other party generally has 14 days after receiving that proposal to file and serve their own case plan proposal.
Form F19.3 addresses document discovery, examinations for discovery, the views of a child where appropriate, dispute-resolution procedures, expert witnesses, witness lists, trial type, estimated trial length and preferred trial periods.
What can the court do at the CPC?
The powers are broad and procedural. The court can set timetables, make disclosure and discovery directions, address experts and reports, manage pleadings, schedule steps and, in appropriate cases, set the action for trial. Rule 7.1-3 also limits what can be done: a CPC is generally not the place to hear an affidavit-supported contested application or grant final judgment, except as the Rules specifically allow.
Attendance and current video practice
The Rules address who must attend and permit in-person or remote attendance in defined circumstances. In addition, the Court’s 2026 Practice Direction 71 makes video the default manner of attendance for CPCs unless otherwise directed. Because practice directions can change faster than the Rules, check the Court’s current CPC instructions when booking.
Cost planning
CPCs can reduce downstream legal cost if they force an unfocused case into a workable litigation plan. Limited-scope advice can also be useful for preparing an F19.3 proposal, narrowing unnecessary discovery, identifying the expert evidence actually required or creating a realistic trial plan.