Quick answer
A draft order is the wording of the decision you want a judge to make, attached to your application notice (usually Form N244) so the court can sign it as drawn if your application succeeds. State the parties, the exact relief sought, any time limits and costs, in numbered paragraphs. eLitigant drafts professional N244 bundles and draft orders.
Last reviewed: June 2026 · For use in England & Wales · eLitigant is a Community Interest Company (No. 16566612), not a law firm. Always check the current official form on GOV.UK before you file, and sign the statement of truth yourself.
A draft order is one of the most important documents you can attach to a court application — and one of the most overlooked. It is the order you are asking the judge to make, written out in full so the court can simply approve and seal it. When you apply on Form N244, you should include a draft of the order you want (Practice Direction 23A).
Why a draft order matters
A clear draft order makes it easy for a judge to say yes. It shows the court exactly what you are asking for, in words it can adopt and seal without redrafting. Applications with a well-drafted order are dealt with faster and are far harder to refuse on form. A vague or missing order, by contrast, invites delay or refusal — even where the underlying application is sound.
What goes in a draft order
- Heading — the court, the claim number, and the parties.
- Title — “DRAFT ORDER”.
- Recitals — any background, beginning “UPON” (for example, “UPON the application of the Claimant dated…”).
- Operative paragraphs — what you want the court to order, beginning “IT IS ORDERED THAT”, numbered, clear and capable of being complied with.
- Costs — what should happen to the costs of the application.
- Date — left for the court to complete on sealing.
A worked example
Below is the draft order from a complete N244 application bundle — an illustrative example drafted to a high, professional standard. Note how the order is written so the judge can approve and seal it as it stands.
How the draft order fits in your bundle
The draft order is part of a four-document set. Assemble the bundle in this order: N244 application notice → witness statement & exhibits → draft order → covering letter. Keep the N244 at the front as the operative document the court seals; the covering letter goes at the back. See our full guide to the N244 application and how to draft a witness statement.
Need a draft order — or the whole application?
Chris drafts your draft order, witness statement and N244 from your own facts, to a high, professional standard.
One day · one matter · unlimited drafts · no subscription · you remain the litigant
Related Court Forms & Guides
- Form N244: Application Notice
- How to Write a Witness Statement
- Consent Order: Recording Settlement with the Court
- How to Write a Skeleton Argument
- Form N16A: Application for Injunction
- Civil Court Forms Index
Frequently asked questions
What is a draft order?
A draft order is the order you are asking the judge to make, written out in full so the court can simply approve and seal it. When you apply to the court on Form N244, you should include a draft of the order you want (Practice Direction 23A).
Why should I include a draft order with my application?
Because it makes it easy for a judge to say yes. A clear draft order shows the court exactly what you are asking for, in words it can adopt and seal without redrafting. Applications with a well-drafted order are quicker to deal with and harder to refuse on form.
What goes in a draft order?
A heading (the court, claim number and parties), the title “DRAFT ORDER”, any recitals beginning “UPON” (the background the court is acting on), the operative paragraphs beginning “IT IS ORDERED THAT”, a costs provision, and the date. Keep each direction clear, numbered and capable of being complied with.
Where does the draft order go in the bundle?
Behind the application notice and the witness statement. The order is the N244 → witness statement & exhibits → draft order → covering letter. The sealed N244 stays at the front as the operative document.
Can eLitigant draft my order for me?
Yes. Chris drafts your draft order — and the rest of your application bundle — from your own facts, to a high, professional standard. You remain the litigant in person; eLitigant is not a law firm and no outcome is guaranteed.