Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if the court has jurisdiction?

If you are represented, your solicitor will help advise you. If you do not have representation, you can read our Litigant in Person guides and complete our Eligibility Checker to help identify whether the court has jurisdiction.

Is there any flexibility in the deadlines included in the rules and practice directions?

All deadlines are as indicated and any request to change them must be through a formal application in the portal, including any applicable fee.

Can I email the Registry with my bundle/additional documents or questions?

No - documents and correspondence must be sent through the Portal.

Can I confirm a notice of intention to proceed or object through phone/email?

No - all applications must come through the Portal.

What happens if a party doesn't respond to correspondence? For example, if a respondent doesn't respond to an email in time after electronic service?

It is the Portal user’s responsibility to provide up to date contact details, ensure email settings are adjusted to receive email from court and to check the Portal for information and to respond to queries or calls to action.

What if I don't get correspondence because I have used the wrong email address?

It is the Portal user’s responsibility to provide up to date contact details, ensure email settings are adjusted to receive email from court and to check the Portal for information and to respond to queries or calls to action. If you have input incorrect details, contact Registry for support.

What is the difference between 'filing' and 'uploading'?

Filing refers to an application. Uploading refers to documents that you include in support of your application.

What is ‘First service’? How do I do this?

This is where you have filed the initial application (usually an application for permission to appeal, or notice of appeal) in the Portal, but not yet served it on the Respondents.

You must wait for the application to be reviewed and issued by the Registry team. Once issued by the Registry team, you can then serve on the Respondents.

This should be done in accordance with the Rules (by email, wherever possible) by downloading the PDF of the application that was filed and serving that, together with the supporting documents. This is ‘first service’.

You then need to log in to the Portal and confirm when and how service was completed. You must serve all Respondents on the same day. After service is confirmed, Registry will invite the Respondents to join the Portal and become a Portal Party for the rest of the life of the case.

What is ‘electronic service’?

After ‘First Service’, all service will be through the Portal. Portal parties will be required to log in and use their Portal account to review, manage and take part in their application. 

What do I do if I upload an incorrect document?

Take care to upload the correct documents. Remember uploaded documents will (usually) be served automatically on other Portal Parties in the case. If you accidentally submit an incorrect document, contact Registry to explain the error.

I want to download copies of my documents from the Portal. Can I do this?

The original PTA application can be downloaded from the ‘Case details’ screen for 72 hours after submitting this information.

Other non-confidential/non-private documents can be downloaded from the documents part of the portal.

Can I save copies of correspondence from the Portal?

You can download orders from the Portal. You cannot download copies of formal directions or correspondence. This will remain in the correspondence section for you to view. If you feel that you need a copy of this from the Portal, you can take a screen shot of the information or print a copy of the page.

What happens if I don't receive service?

It is the responsibility of the appellant to ensure that correct contact details are provided so that parties can be served electronically. If there is any issue with contacts, or you become aware of service late, contact Registry for support.

I can't upload documents into the documents section in the Portal.

Have you got pop up blockers disabled? What browser are you using? Pop-ups are an Issue in Edge, the Portal works best in Chrome. Contact Registry if you are still having difficulties even when using Chrome as your browser.

How do I pay my fees?

Fees are paid through the Portal as you make your application.

How do I find out about fee changes?

The Fees for the UKSC and JCPC are on the website.

Any changes to Fees for the UKSC and JCPC have to be set before parliament/the Privy Council, therefore these will not be subject to change without consultation. Fee consultations will be publicised as widely as possible to our users and any such changes will be listed on the website.

Do I need to make my payment in GBP (£)?

Yes, payment must be in GBP (£). For more information about currency conversion, contact Registry.

Can I pay by PBA?

No, you cannot pay by PBA. The PBA (Payment by Account) is run by HMCTS and the Supreme Court is an entirely separate and independent entity from HMCTS and the MOJ. Payment can either be made by credit or debit card in the Portal, or via ‘bacs’.

What happens if there is a difference in the amount processed via bacs (e.g. caused by currency exchange rates and bank fees)?

You must ensure the Court receives the full fee amount. If the full amount is not received the Court will raise a payment request for the shortfall and the application cannot be progressed until payment has been made.

Do I get a receipt for a bacs payment?

You should take a screenshot of the bacs confirmation as this is processed. This screenshot should be uploaded to the documents section of the Portal as proof of payment. Please ensure you redact bank details, leaving date, amount and reference. The Portal does not provide receipts for bacs payments.

Where are the correct bank details to make a payment?

These are included in the payment section of the Portal. If necessary, contact Registry for support.

Can I apply for help with fees?

Read our 'Help with fees' section to see if you may be eligible for assistance. If you have one, your legal representative should also be able to help advise.

If I don't take a screenshot of my receipt, can I download a copy later?

All payment records will be held under the relevant case in the portal, and will be visible to registered users, screenshots can be taken if necessary. The Portal does not provide downloadable receipts.

Grounds of appeal should not be longer than 10 pages. What is included in this?

The 10 pages applies only to the grounds of appeal and the reasons why permission should be granted. All other information such as narrative of the facts, chronology etc should be uploaded in a separate document(s).

I am having difficulties accessing the Portal/completing tasks such as document upload.

We recommend you try the following:

• The Portal is optimised for Edge and Chrome browsers so please use these if you are not already.

• Ensure that third party cookies are allowed, and pop-ups are not blocked.

• Logout from your account and back in without closing down the browser. This will act to recertify your access in the event your browser has lost certification.

• Ensure your security firewalls are not blocking any part of the Portal domain (https://www.uksc-jcpc-casemanagementportal.uk/).

• Do not use the auto-fill functionality in your browser to complete the forms, but type data in manually. Browser auto-fill functionality sometimes inserts rogue data causing online forms to reject the information.

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