> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.useportia.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Pre-action protocols explained

> Pre-action protocols set out the steps parties should take before starting a civil claim in England and Wales. Here is what they are and why they matter.

Pre-action protocols are sets of steps that parties are expected to follow before starting a court claim in England and Wales. There are specific protocols for particular kinds of dispute, such as debt claims, construction disputes, professional negligence, and housing disrepair, alongside a general expectation of reasonable conduct that applies where no specific protocol fits.

The aim of a protocol is to encourage the parties to exchange information early, understand each other's position, and try to resolve the dispute, or at least narrow it, before going to court.

## What protocols typically ask for

Although each protocol differs, most share a common pattern:

* The claimant sets out the claim in writing, often through a [letter before action](/concepts/what-is-a-letter-before-action)
* The defendant is given a reasonable time to respond
* The parties exchange key information and documents
* The parties consider whether some form of settlement or alternative dispute resolution could resolve matters

## Why they matter

Following the relevant protocol is not merely good manners. When a case reaches court, a judge can consider whether each side complied. Unreasonable failure to follow a protocol, for example ignoring a proper letter or refusing to share basic information, can lead to costs consequences or other sanctions, even for a party who ultimately wins.

Equally, protocols exist because they work. A great many disputes settle during the pre-action stage precisely because each side has had to set out its position clearly and consider the other's.

## Finding the right protocol

The correct protocol depends on the nature of the dispute. Where a specific protocol applies, it should be followed. Where none does, the general practice direction on pre-action conduct sets the baseline expectation. See [the pre-action conduct practice direction](/concepts/pre-action-conduct-practice-direction).

## Related reading

* [What is a letter before action](/concepts/what-is-a-letter-before-action)
* [The pre-action conduct practice direction](/concepts/pre-action-conduct-practice-direction)
* [The stages of a civil claim](/concepts/stages-of-a-civil-claim)

***

Portia is a document-organisation tool for people handling civil disputes in England and Wales. It is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. [Learn what Portia does](https://useportia.ai).