Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

A practical guide to disclosure under CPR 31: duties, searches, control, inspection, third-party disclosure and sanctions (England and Wales)

Published by a LexisNexis Dispute Resolution expert

Practice notes

This Practice Note introduces disclosure under the Civil Procedure Rules, highlighting the principal CPR provisions that regulate disclosure under CPR 31. It clarifies what constitutes a document for CPR purposes and supplies practical guidance for conducting a disclosure exercise. Note: this Practice Note does not cover claims within the Business & Property Courts Disclosure Scheme. For further detail, see: Disclosure Scheme (Business & Property Courts)—overview. For assistance determining which disclosure regime applies to your matter, see: Which disclosure rules apply to my claim—flowchart?

This Practice Note should be read together with:

Disclosure—overview
Inspection—overview
Privilege and without prejudice communications—overview

At the pre-action stage, be aware that certain pre-action protocols impose disclosure duties before proceedings commence. For more information, see: Pre-action disclosure and Norwich Pharmacal—overview.

CPR provisions governing the disclosure process

The CPR and case law form the legal framework governing disclosure—for further guidance, see:

small claims track: CPR 27—see Practice Note: Disclosure in the small claims track
fast track: CPR 28

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Laura Heeley

Eversheds Sutherland

A Principal Associate PSL for the Commercial Dispute Resolution team at Eversheds Sutherland International. Laura advises on key legal developments and the application of legal principles to complex disputes including cross border considerations. Before becoming a Professional Support Lawyer, Laura spent over ten years in practice in the Commercial Litigation team at Wright Hassall. Laura has advised on a wide range of commercial and corporate disputes including contractual, tortious, director and shareholder, partnership and regulatory disputes. Laura is also a Solicitor Advocate with Higher Rights of Audience in Civil Advocacy. In the sports sector Laura has advised sports national governing bodies (NGBs) in respect of contractual, disciplinary, and regulatory disputes, governance and compliance, safeguarding issues and tribunal hearings including appeals to Sports Resolution and the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Laura now also sits on the panel of Arbitrators for Sport...

Nikki Hussey

Addleshaw Goddard

I have a particular interest in making urgent applications to the High Court to prevent unlawful team moves action and unlawful acts by departing senior business personnel. I work with businesses to deal with problems and mitigate risk, including contractual disputes and post-acquisition claims. I enjoy assisting clients to develop pragmatic solutions and minimise exposure to risks such as costs, resources and reputation. I have experience in advisory work, litigation, and alternative dispute resolution, including mediation. I have experience in working across a range of sectors including construction, aerospace, industrials and retail and leisure in high value and complex commercial disputes....

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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