The Online Procedure Rule Committee's practice direction for
possession proceedings is now in force. It sets out the procedure
for claims using the new digital service for possession claims.
The new possession claims digital service is the first to be
governed by the Online Procedure Rules
2026. The service is launched and went live at Noon on
29 September 2026 today, when the rules came into force.
The practice direction
provides the procedural requirements for claims issued through
the possession digital service. It includes rules concerning
communications with the court, hearings, evidence and court
orders.
As previously announced, the service is being introduced in
phases. In this initial phase, the service applies to registered
social landlords in England bringing possession claims in
postcode areas served by the County Courts at Bradford,
Huddersfield and Wandsworth. Community landlords in Wales
bringing possession claims in postcode areas served by Caernarfon
County Court will commence using the service from Noon on 15
October 2026. Where aspects of procedure are not yet provided for
under the Online Procedure Rules or the practice direction,
including appeals and enforcement, the relevant provisions of the
Civil Procedure Rules will continue to apply.
The launch marks an important milestone in the development of
Online Procedure Rules.
