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County Courts Act 1984

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Changes over time for: Cross Heading: Actions of contract and tort

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Changes to legislation:

County Courts Act 1984, Cross Heading: Actions of contract and tort is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 20 April 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

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Actions of contract and tortE+W

15 General jurisdiction in actions of contract and tort.E+W

(1)Subject to subsection (2), [F1the county court] shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine any action founded on contract or tort F2 . . ..

(2)[F3The county court] shall not, except as in this Act provided, have jurisdiction to hear and determine—

F4(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)any action in which the title to F5 . . . any toll, fair, market or franchise is in question; or

(c)any action for libel of slander.

F6(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1Words in ss. 15-25 substituted (22.4.2014) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 9 para. 10(1)(b); S.I. 2014/954, art. 2(c) (with art. 3) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2014/956, arts. 3-11)

F2Words in s. 15(1) repealed by S.I. 1991/724, art. 2(8), Schedule PartI

F3Words in ss. 15-25 substituted (22.4.2014) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 9 para. 10(1)(a); S.I. 2014/954, art. 2(c) (with art. 3) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2014/956, arts. 3-11)

F4S. 15(2)(a) repealed by S.I. 1991/724, art. 2(8), Schedule PartI

F5Words in s. 15(2)(b) repealed by S.I. 1991/724, art. 2(8), Schedule PartI

F6S. 15(3) repealed by S.I. 1991/724, art. 2(8), Schedule PartI

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

16 Money recoverable by statute.E+W

[F3The county court] shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine an action for the recovery of a sum recoverable by virtue of any enactment for the time being in force, if—

(a)it is not provided by that or any other enactment that such sums shall only be recoverable in the High Court or shall only be recoverable summarily; F7 . . .

F7(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F3Words in ss. 15-25 substituted (22.4.2014) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 9 para. 10(1)(a); S.I. 2014/954, art. 2(c) (with art. 3) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2014/956, arts. 3-11)

F7S. 16(b) and words in s. 16(a) repealed by S.I. 1991/724, art. 2(8), Schedule PartI

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2S. 16 extended by S.I. 1991/724, art. 2(1)(l)

17 Abandonment of part of claim to give court jurisdiction.E+W

(1)Where a plaintiff has a cause of action for more than the county court limit in which, if it were not for more than the county court limit, [F1the county court] would have jurisdiction, the plaintiff may abandon the excess, and thereupon [F1the county court] shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine the action, but the plaintiff shall not recover in the action an amount exceeding the county court limit.

(2)Where the court has jurisdiction to hear and determine an action by virtue of this section, the judgment of the court in the action shall be in full discharge of all demands in respect of the cause of action, and entry of the judgment shall be made accordingly.

Textual Amendments

F1Words in ss. 15-25 substituted (22.4.2014) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 9 para. 10(1)(b); S.I. 2014/954, art. 2(c) (with art. 3) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2014/956, arts. 3-11)

18 Jurisdiction by agreement in certain actions.E+W

If the parties to any action, other than an action which, if commenced in the High Court, would have been assigned to the Chancery Division or to the Family Division or have involved the exercise of the High Court’s Admiralty jurisdiction, agree, by a memorandum signed by them or by their respective [F8legal representatives], that [F1the county court] F9... shall have jurisdiction in the action, that court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine the action accordingly.

Textual Amendments

F1Words in ss. 15-25 substituted (22.4.2014) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 9 para. 10(1)(b); S.I. 2014/954, art. 2(c) (with art. 3) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2014/956, arts. 3-11)

F9Words in s. 18 omitted (22.4.2014) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 9 para. 10(2); S.I. 2014/954, art. 2(c) (with art. 3) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2014/956, arts. 3-11)

F1019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

F1120. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

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