Practice Directions

MMR/MR Vaccine Litigation

1. This Practice Direction applies to all proceedings in which the claimant claims damages for personal injuries alleged to have arisen out of the inoculation of any vaccines against the illnesses of Mumps and/or Measles and Rubella, such vaccines having been manufactured and/or supplied by the Defendants.

2. All future proceedings coming within the terms of paragraph 1 should be commenced in the Central Office, Royal Courts of Justice.

3. Any claims coming within the terms of paragraph 1 proceeding in any District Registry or county court should be transferred to the Royal Courts of Justice without further order.

4.Master Ungley is the assigned Master. Interim appeals, references or applications which require the attention of a High Court judge should be made to Mr Justice Buckley, the Judge in Charge of the Non-Jury List until such a time as a trial judge is assigned.

5. All statements of case and orders must be marked on the top left-hand side 'MMR/MR Vaccine Litigation'.

6. This Practice Direction applies to all claims irrespective of the value of the claimant's claim. All claims will be allocated to the multi track and the CPR 1998 will apply to all such actions.

7. This direction in respect of proceedings in the county court has been approved by the Vice-Chancellor on behalf of the Lord Chancellor.

Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales
8 July 1999