Directory
Official sources for practice directions and procedural guidance
A curated directory of official sources, judicial bodies, and legal resources for finding and understanding practice directions, court rules, and procedural guidance across all jurisdictions in England and Wales. All links open in a new tab.
Official Practice Direction Sources
Judiciary of England and Wales
The primary source for Criminal Practice Directions, judicial speeches, practice guidance, and announcements of new or amended practice directions across all jurisdictions.
Civil Procedure Rules (Ministry of Justice)
The official text of the Civil Procedure Rules and all accompanying practice directions, updated with each amendment.
Family Procedure Rules (Ministry of Justice)
The official text of the Family Procedure Rules and all family practice directions, issued by the President of the Family Division.
Criminal Procedure Rules (Ministry of Justice)
The official text of the Criminal Procedure Rules, with links to the Criminal Practice Directions on the Judiciary website.
Tribunal Procedure Rules (Ministry of Justice)
Procedure rules for each tribunal chamber, with links to applicable practice directions issued by the Senior President of Tribunals.
Legislation and Case Law
Legislation.gov.uk
The official repository of UK legislation: Acts of Parliament, statutory instruments, and explanatory notes. The primary source for the statutes that enable practice directions.
BAILII (British and Irish Legal Information Institute)
Free access to case law and legislation. Useful for finding judicial decisions that interpret and apply practice directions.
The National Archives: Find Case Law
The official repository of court judgements from the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court. Useful for finding decisions on procedural points.
Legislation.uk
A searchable legislation library with section-level navigation, covering primary and secondary legislation relevant to practice directions.
Judicial Bodies and Committees
Civil Procedure Rule Committee
The committee responsible for making the Civil Procedure Rules. Publishes agendas, minutes, and consultation papers on proposed rule changes.
Criminal Procedure Rule Committee
The committee responsible for making the Criminal Procedure Rules, established by the Courts Act 2003.
Family Procedure Rule Committee
The committee responsible for making the Family Procedure Rules, established by the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984.
Tribunal Procedure Committee
The committee responsible for making the Tribunal Procedure Rules under the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007.
Judicial College
Responsible for judicial training and the production of bench books, including the Equal Treatment Bench Book and the Crown Court Compendium.
Government and Court Administration
Ministry of Justice
Publishes consultation papers and policy documents on court procedure, sentencing, and judicial appointments. Responsible for court fees and HMCTS oversight.
HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS)
The executive agency responsible for the administration of courts and tribunals. Publishes operational guidance, court forms, and service updates.
The Supreme Court
The final court of appeal for civil and criminal cases. Publishes its own practice directions governing applications for permission to appeal and the conduct of hearings.
Professional Bodies and Legal Resources
The Law Society
The representative body for solicitors in England and Wales. Publishes practice notes on compliance with practice directions and procedural requirements.
The Bar Council
The representative body for barristers. Publishes guidance on advocacy, ethics, and compliance with court rules and practice directions.
Civil Justice Council
An advisory body that monitors and reviews the civil justice system. Publishes reports and recommendations on procedural reform.
JUSTICE
An independent law reform charity working to strengthen the justice system. Publishes research reports on access to justice, court procedure, and judicial accountability.
The Law Commission
The independent body responsible for reviewing areas of law and recommending reform. Periodically reviews procedural rules and their underlying statutory framework.
Directives.uk
A searchable reference covering practice directions and judicial directives across all UK jurisdictions.
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