Chancery Guide update September 2025: Key changes

On 5 September 2025, an updated version of the Chancery Guide was published. Key areas of change include, costs management, junior advocacy at trial, the use of AI in legal proceedings, interim remedies, electronic filing, and requirements for skeleton arguments in heavy applications.

Costs management and budgeting

A new section inserted into the Chancery Guide reflects the introduction of PD 51ZG1, which establishes pilot schemes to test new approaches to cost budgeting. The objective is to streamline budgeting, reduce court and party time, and improve overall efficiency. Where claims fall within the Practice Direction, paragraph 6.37D makes clear that existing guidance on split trials and preliminary issues (paragraphs 6.10 and 6.11) applies.

Junior advocacy at trial

A further amendment appears at paragraph 11.17(e), which provides that at the pre-trial review, the court may consider whether aspects of the trial may appropriately be conducted by junior advocates. Practice Guidance issued by the Commercial Court in July 2025 does however underline that it remains a client’s decision as to whom they instruct. Nevertheless, it notes that parties may be required to justify instructing senior counsel where the work could competently be undertaken by a junior advocate.

Use of artificial intelligence

Following R (on the application of Ayinde) v London Borough of Haringey [2025] EWHC 1040 (Admin), paragraph 12.61 has been inserted into the Chancery Guide. This highlights the obligation on parties to ensure that any authorities or materials obtained online, particularly via AI tools, are genuine.

Updated HMCTS guidance issued in April 2025 makes clear that legal representatives remain professionally responsible for material placed before the court and may be asked by judges to confirm what checks have been undertaken to verify information obtained using AI.

Interim remedies

As part of the wider reform of CPR Part 25, Practice Directions 25A and 25B have been revoked. Their content has been consolidated into the new Part 25, which now provides a single, clearer framework governing interim remedies such as freezing injunctions and search orders. The restructuring is intended to enhance navigation and consistency across interim relief applications.

CE-File and e-working

The Chancery Guide has also been updated to reflect the introduction of Practice Direction 5C, which will replace PD 51O on 1 October 2025. 

PD 5C governs the operation of the CE-File electronic filing and case management system. It introduces new rules regarding document acceptance and the grounds on which the court office may reject submissions. Paragraph 15(b) of Appendix X has also been amended to allow electronic bundles to be delivered using the Document Upload Centre by prior arrangement, though CE-File remains the preferred method.

Skeleton arguments in heavy applications

Finally, paragraph 14.58 introduces new guidance for “heavy applications”, that is an application with a time estimate of more than half a day. Where multiple such applications are listed together, parties should now prepare a single skeleton argument covering all applications.