Form N181: Directions Questionnaire — Fast, Intermediate and Multi-Track (2026 Guide)

What is Form N181?

Form N181 is the directions questionnaire used for cases likely to be allocated to the fast track, the intermediate track or the multi-track. Where Form N180 deals with the relatively informal world of small claims, Form N181 is the gateway to the more structured procedural landscape governed by CPR Part 28 (fast track and intermediate track) and CPR Part 29 (multi-track). The information you provide on this form determines how your case will be managed — from disclosure and expert evidence through to trial listing. For a litigant in person facing a claim worth £10,000 or more, this form is not an administrative afterthought. It is a document that shapes the entire trajectory of your litigation.

This guide covers when you need Form N181, how to complete each section, and the procedural consequences of what you write.

When Do You Need Form N181?

The court sends Form N181 when:

• A defence has been filed — once the defendant responds, the court needs information from both sides to allocate the case to the correct track and give case management directions.
• The claim value is above £10,000 — cases valued between £10,000 and £25,000 are normally allocated to the fast track. Cases between £25,000 and £100,000 are normally allocated to the intermediate track — introduced on 1 October 2023 for claims whose trial will last no more than three days with oral expert evidence limited to two experts per party; fast track and intermediate track cases are also assigned to a complexity band (1 to 4) that fixes recoverable costs. Cases above £100,000 — or cases too complex for the intermediate track — are normally allocated to the multi-track, and the court may allocate a case to the multi-track if it is particularly complex, regardless of the financial value.
• The case is not suitable for the small claims track — even claims under £10,000 may be allocated to the fast track if they involve complex issues, allegations of fraud, or personal injury where damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity exceed £1,500 (£5,000 for most road traffic accident claims) (CPR 26.9(1)(a)).

The form is sent to both claimant and defendant. You must return it by the date stated on the notice of proposed allocation. For the fast track, intermediate track and multi-track that date must be at least 28 days after the notice is deemed served (CPR 26.4(6)). The 14-day period is the small claims track figure and belongs to Form N180, not Form N181. In a money claim, if you miss the date the court sends a notice giving you 7 more days, and if you miss that too your statement of case is struck out automatically (CPR 26.4(9)). In other claims the court may give any direction it considers appropriate (CPR 26.7(6)).

What Form N181 Is Used For

Form N181 serves multiple functions in the case management process:

• Track allocation — the court uses your answers to decide which of the fast track, intermediate track or multi-track the case belongs on under CPR r.26.9. Your views on complexity, trial length, and the number of witnesses all feed into this decision.
• Disclosure planning — you must indicate what disclosure you expect to give and receive. On the fast track, standard disclosure is the norm. On the multi-track, the court may tailor disclosure orders to the needs of the case.
• Expert evidence — the form asks whether you intend to rely on expert evidence, in what discipline, and whether you agree to a single joint expert. This is a critical section. The court controls expert evidence tightly under CPR Part 35.
• Witness evidence — you must identify your witnesses and state what evidence they will give. This helps the court estimate the length of trial and give appropriate directions for exchange of witness statements.
• Costs budgeting — costs management under CPR 3.12–3.18 applies to most Part 7 multi-track claims under £10 million. Represented parties file a costs budget (Precedent H); litigants in person do not have to file one (CPR 3.13(1)), but each represented party must give you a copy of theirs (CPR 3.13(6)).
• Trial logistics — the form deals with trial venue, estimated length, and availability of parties, witnesses, and counsel (if any).
• ADR and settlement — the court wants to know whether you have attempted alternative dispute resolution and whether there are realistic prospects of settlement.

How to Complete Form N181: Step by Step

1. Case Details

Enter the claim number, the names of all parties, and your contact details. If your address has changed, update it here. The court and the other side need a current address for service.

2. Settlement

This section asks whether the parties have attempted to settle the case and whether you would like a one-month stay to attempt settlement or ADR. The court takes this seriously. Under CPR 26.5, if all parties ask for a stay the proceedings are stayed for one month, and the court can order a stay itself where it considers one appropriate.

If you have made a Part 36 offer, say so (but do not disclose the amount — that remains confidential until the question of costs arises after judgment). If you have attempted mediation or other ADR, explain briefly what happened.

If you have not attempted settlement, you should have a good reason. The court expects parties to comply with the relevant pre-action protocol, which typically requires a letter of claim, a response, and an attempt to resolve the dispute before issuing proceedings. Failure to engage with pre-action settlement can result in costs sanctions under CPR r.44.2 and the Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct.

3. Court Location

If you want the case to be heard at a particular county court hearing centre, state your preference and explain why. Common reasons include proximity to witnesses, the location of relevant events, or a jurisdiction clause in a contract. The court is not bound by your preference but will consider it.

For multi-track cases, the case may be transferred to a specialist court or district registry if the subject matter requires it — for example, the Business and Property Courts for commercial disputes.

4. Pre-Action Protocols

Confirm whether the relevant pre-action protocol has been followed. If it has not, explain why. Non-compliance with protocols is taken seriously. Under the Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct, the court can impose costs sanctions for failure to follow the appropriate protocol.

5. Case Management Information

This section asks for detailed information about the case:

• Summary of the issues — briefly identify the main factual and legal issues in dispute. This helps the district judge understand the case quickly and give tailored directions.
• Amendments — if you intend to amend your statement of case, say so here. The court is more likely to grant permission for early amendments than late ones.
• Preliminary issues — if there is a discrete legal or factual issue that, if determined first, could resolve or significantly narrow the case, identify it. For example, a limitation defence or a point of contractual construction.

6. Disclosure

Disclosure is the process by which each party makes available to the other the documents on which they rely and the documents that adversely affect their case or support the other side’s case.

On the fast track, standard disclosure under CPR r.31.6 is the norm. This requires you to disclose documents that you rely on, documents that adversely affect your own case, documents that adversely affect the other party’s case, and documents that support the other party’s case.

On the multi-track, the court has wider powers and may order different levels of disclosure under CPR r.31.5. Practice Direction 57AD (disclosure, in force from 1 October 2022) applies to cases in the Business and Property Courts and introduces disclosure models ranging from no disclosure to train-of-inquiry disclosure. If your case is in the Business and Property Courts, you will need to engage with the Disclosure Review Document rather than Form N181 alone.

When completing this section, consider:
– What categories of documents exist?
– Are electronic documents (emails, text messages, databases) likely to be relevant?
– Is proportionality an issue — will the cost of disclosure exceed the value of the claim?

7. Witnesses

List every witness of fact you intend to call at trial. For each, provide:
– Full name
– A brief description of their evidence (one or two sentences)
– Whether they are a party to the proceedings

The court uses this information to estimate trial length and to set a timetable for exchange of witness statements. Under CPR Part 32, witness statements must stand as the witness’s evidence in chief — meaning the witness will not normally be allowed to repeat their written statement orally at trial but will be cross-examined on it.

Prepare your witness statements carefully. They must comply with Practice Direction 32, which requires a witness statement to be in the witness’s own words if practicable and expressed in the first person.

8. Expert Evidence

Expert evidence is controlled by CPR Part 35. The court’s permission is required before any party can rely on expert evidence, and the court will restrict such evidence to what is reasonably required to resolve the proceedings.

On the form, you must state:
– The field of expertise (e.g., surveying, medical, forensic accounting, engineering).
– Whether you propose a single joint expert (one expert instructed by both parties) or separate experts for each side.
– An estimate of the cost of the expert evidence.

The court strongly encourages single joint experts, particularly on the fast track where proportionality is paramount. If you want separate experts, you must justify why a single joint expert would not be adequate.

Do not instruct an expert before obtaining the court’s permission. If you do, you risk:
– The court refusing to admit the evidence.
– Being unable to recover the expert’s fees from the other side.
– Criticism from the judge for incurring disproportionate costs.

9. Trial

This section asks for:
– Estimated trial length — be realistic. The fast track is normally for claims whose trial is likely to last no longer than one day (CPR 26.9(6)(a)), and the court treats a day as 5 hours (PD 26 para 16(3)(a)). If your case needs more than one day, it may belong on the intermediate track (trial of up to three days) or the multi-track. For multi-track cases, trial can last several days or weeks depending on complexity.
– Availability — provide specific dates when you, your witnesses, or your representatives cannot attend. Vague statements are unhelpful. If you provide no unavailable dates, the court will list the trial on whatever date is convenient for the court.
– Venue — if you have a preference for the trial venue, state it here.

10. Costs

Costs management under CPR 3.12–3.18 applies to most Part 7 multi-track claims under £10 million. Represented parties must file a costs budget (Precedent H); a litigant in person does not have to (CPR 3.13(1)), and each represented party must give you a copy of their budget (CPR 3.13(6)). The court may still hold a costs and case management conference (CCMC).

For fast track cases, fixed recoverable costs under CPR Part 45 usually apply (CPR 45.44). The court will address costs at the appropriate stage, but you should be aware that on the fast track, trial costs are fixed and proportionality is strictly enforced.

If you are a litigant in person, your recoverable costs are limited by CPR r.46.5. Where you can prove financial loss, you are allowed the amount you can prove for the time reasonably spent; where you cannot prove financial loss, you are allowed that time at the rate set by Practice Direction 46 paragraph 3.4 — £24 per hour. Either way, r.46.5(2) caps the total at two-thirds of what would have been allowed had you been legally represented — a cap that expressly does not apply to disbursements, so court fees, expert fees and travel are claimed on top.

11. Other Information

Use this section for anything else the court needs to know — for example:
– Pending applications.
– Related proceedings.
– Health issues affecting your ability to participate.
– Any agreement between the parties on directions.

12. Directions Order

Form N181 includes a section where you can propose directions. If both parties agree on directions, the court may approve them without a hearing. If not, the court will list a case management conference (CMC) at which the district judge will give directions.

Proposed directions should follow the standard form directions available on the court service website and should include a timetable for:
– Disclosure
– Exchange of witness statements
– Expert evidence (if permitted)
– Pre-trial checklists (listing questionnaires)
– Trial window

13. Statement of Truth and Signature

Sign and date the form. The statement of truth confirms the accuracy of the information provided. False statements verified by a statement of truth may result in proceedings for contempt of court under CPR 32.14.

Key Deadlines

What Happens After You Return Form N181

Track allocation — the district judge reviews both questionnaires and allocates the case. You receive a notice of allocation confirming the track.

Case management conference — if the parties have not agreed directions, the court lists a CMC. At the CMC, the district judge gives directions covering disclosure, witness evidence, expert evidence, and the trial timetable. For multi-track cases, this will also be a costs and case management conference at which costs budgets are approved or varied.

Directions order — whether made by consent or at a CMC, the directions order is a binding court order. Failure to comply can result in sanctions including striking out your statement of case, debarring you from relying on evidence, or adverse costs orders.

Pre-trial checklist — before the trial window, the court sends a pre-trial checklist (Form N170). This confirms that all directions have been complied with and that the case is ready for trial.

Trial — on the fast track, the trial is normally expected to last no longer than one day. On the multi-track, trial length depends on the case. The trial follows formal procedures — evidence in chief by witness statement, cross-examination, re-examination, and submissions.

Common Mistakes

1. Missing the Deadline

In a money claim, missing the date leads to a notice giving you 7 days, and then automatic strike-out of your claim or defence (CPR 26.4(9)). The date cannot be changed by agreement with the other side (CPR 26.4(7)); if you need more time, apply to the court before the deadline expires.

2. Failing to Engage with ADR

The court expects parties to have considered settlement and ADR before and during proceedings. If you have not engaged with ADR, you should have a documented reason. An unreasonable failure to mediate can result in costs sanctions — even if you ultimately win the case. The decision in Halsey v Milton Keynes General NHS Trust [2004] EWCA Civ 576 and subsequent case law establishes that the court can deprive a successful party of costs for unreasonable refusal to mediate.

3. Underestimating Trial Length

If you estimate one day for trial and the case clearly requires two or three days, the court may need to adjourn part-heard. This wastes court resources and can prejudice your case. Be honest about how long the trial will take. If it exceeds one day, the case may belong on the intermediate track or the multi-track.

4. Failing to Identify Expert Evidence Needs Early

If you do not flag the need for expert evidence on the directions questionnaire, the court may not include provision for it in the directions order. Adding expert evidence later requires a formal application, which may be refused if it causes delay or prejudice.

5. Not Proposing Agreed Directions

If both parties can agree on a timetable for directions, the court may approve it without a hearing. This saves time and costs. Failing to engage with the other side on directions is a missed opportunity.

6. Providing Incomplete Witness Information

Vague descriptions of witness evidence (“my friend saw what happened”) are inadequate. The court needs to understand who the witness is, what they observed, and why their evidence is relevant. This information drives the directions timetable and trial time estimate.

The Rules That Apply

• CPR Part 26 — case management and track allocation. The directions questionnaire is required by CPR 26.4.
• CPR Part 28 — the fast track and the intermediate track. The fast track covers cases between £10,000 and £25,000 with a trial of no more than one day; the intermediate track covers cases between £25,000 and £100,000 with a trial of up to three days and no more than two oral experts per party.
• CPR Part 29 — the multi-track. Governs cases above £100,000, or cases of complexity beyond the intermediate track.
• CPR Part 31 — disclosure and inspection of documents.
• CPR Part 32 — evidence, including witness statements. Practice Direction 32 sets requirements on the form and content of witness statements.
• CPR Part 35 — expert evidence. Permission required. Single joint experts encouraged.
• CPR Part 3, r.3.12–3.18 — costs management. Costs budgets (Precedent H) are required from represented parties in most Part 7 multi-track claims under £10 million; litigants in person do not file one (CPR 3.13(1)).
• CPR Part 36 — offers to settle. Relevant to the settlement section of the questionnaire.
• CPR Part 44 — costs. General rules on the court’s discretion to award costs, including sanctions for unreasonable conduct and failure to engage with ADR.
• CPR Part 45 — fixed costs. Applicable to fast track trial costs.
• Practice Direction 26 — supplementary guidance on completing the directions questionnaire.
• Practice Direction 28 — supplementary guidance on the fast track.
• Practice Direction 29 — supplementary guidance on the multi-track.

Related Court Forms & Guides

• Form N260: Statement of Costs — the costs schedule used at summary assessment.
• Form N244: Application Notice — the form for interim applications.
• Start a Money Claim Online (OCMC) — where most civil money claims begin.
• Particulars of Claim — setting out the basis of your claim.
• Civil Court Forms Index — every civil court form guide in one place.

How Chris Can Help

Form N181 is more demanding than its small claims counterpart. The decisions you make here — about disclosure, experts, witnesses, and trial length — set the framework for the rest of your case. Getting the directions right at this stage can save months of wasted time and thousands of pounds in unnecessary costs.

Chris can help you complete Form N181 accurately, draft proposed directions, prepare your disclosure list, and produce witness statements that comply with Practice Direction 32. If your case is on the multi-track, Chris can also help you read the other side’s costs budget.

Completed N181 example

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Frequently asked questions

When does the court send me Form N181?

The court sends Form N181 once a defence has been filed and the claim is likely to be allocated to the fast track, intermediate track or multi-track — generally where the claim value is above £10,000, or where a lower-value claim is too complex for the small claims track. It is sent to both the claimant and the defendant.

How long do I have to return it?

You must return the form by the date stated on the notice of proposed allocation. For the fast track, intermediate track and multi-track, that date must be at least 28 days after the notice is deemed served (CPR 26.4(6)). The 14-day period applies to the small claims track (Form N180), not to Form N181. Always check the date on your own notice. In a money claim, a late questionnaire leads to a notice giving you 7 days and then automatic strike-out (CPR 26.4(9)); the date cannot be changed by agreement (CPR 26.4(7)).

What is the difference between the fast, intermediate and multi-track?

Cases valued between £10,000 and £25,000 are normally allocated to the fast track; cases between £25,000 and £100,000 to the intermediate track — introduced on 1 October 2023 for trials of up to three days with no more than two oral experts per party; and cases above £100,000, or of complexity beyond the intermediate track, to the multi-track. The court can also move a case up a track if it is particularly complex, regardless of value. Your answers about complexity, trial length and witnesses feed into this decision.

What does the form ask me about expert evidence?

Expert evidence is controlled by CPR Part 35 and requires the court’s permission. On the form you state the field of expertise, whether you propose a single joint expert or separate experts, and an estimate of the cost. The court strongly encourages single joint experts, especially on the fast track. Do not instruct an expert before obtaining permission.

Do I have to attempt settlement before returning it?

The settlement section asks whether the parties have tried to settle and whether you would like a stay to attempt ADR. The court expects parties to comply with the relevant pre-action protocol, and failure to engage with settlement can lead to costs sanctions. If you have made a Part 36 offer, say so — but do not disclose the amount.

What happens after I return Form N181?

The district judge reviews both questionnaires, allocates the case to a track and sends a notice of allocation. If the parties have not agreed directions, the court lists a case management conference where directions for disclosure, witness statements, expert evidence and the trial window are given.

Where can I download Form N181?

The blank Form N181 is published free on GOV.UK, and that is the copy you should use. Always take the current version from the official page rather than a saved one, because forms are updated from time to time. This guide walks through completing it once you have it.

Related guides: Form N180 — Directions Questionnaire (Small Claims) · Form N170 — Pre-Trial Checklist (Listing Questionnaire) · All civil court forms