procedure, the parties should be required (i) to complete a questionnaire giving
specified information and estimates concerning the case with a view to
facilitating case management by the court; and (ii) to propose directions and a
timetable to be ordered by the court, preferably put forward by agreement
amongst the parties, but with the court affording unrepresented litigants leeway
in their observance of these requirements.
summons for directions is in any event desirable, the court ought to make orders
nisi giving such directions and fixing such timetable for the proceedings as it
thinks fit in the light of the questionnaire and without a hearing. However, any
party who objects to one or more of the directions given, should be entitled to
have the summons for directions called on for a hearing.