King's Bench Division Forms UK: Guide & Uses

What this document is

King's Bench Division forms are the official documents used to take procedural steps in High Court claims handled by that division. The division was renamed from the Queen's Bench Division in September 2022 following the accession of King Charles III, but the underlying procedure and the function of each form remain the same.

The forms sit within the framework of the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) and their associated Practice Directions, which tell you when a particular form must be used, who must sign it, and what needs to be attached. Some forms are requests made to the court (for example, asking the court to issue a letter of request to a foreign judicial authority so that a witness abroad can be examined), while others record the court's own decisions (for example, a default judgment or a judgment entered for a defendant on a summary basis).

The forms are generally completed by a claimant, defendant, or their legal representative, and then lodged at the appropriate court office. Getting the correct version, with the correct references to the governing rule, is important because the court staff will check this before accepting the document.

How to use this document

1. Identify the procedural step you are at. Before reaching for any form, work out exactly which stage of the claim you are dealing with. Is this an application for a letter of request, a default judgment, or a judgment in favour of a defendant? The form number always maps to a specific rule in the CPR, so pinning down the step first saves time and avoids mistakes later.
2. Find the governing Civil Procedure Rule. Each King's Bench form is tied to a particular rule or practice direction. Form 34, for instance, relates to rule 34.13 which concerns obtaining evidence from witnesses out of the jurisdiction. Reading the rule alongside the form gives you the context for what the court expects and what supporting material you may need to provide.
3. Download the current version from gov.uk. Court forms are updated from time to time, and using an outdated version can lead to rejection at the court office. Always take the form directly from the official gov.uk court forms library rather than a cached copy, so you know you are working with the version currently in use.
4. Complete the form carefully and attach supporting documents. Fill in the details requested, paying particular attention to case references, parties' names, and the specific rule or practice direction cited. Where the form requires a draft order or a draft letter of request to be attached (as with Forms 34 and 35), prepare those drafts so they are consistent with the main form.
5. File the completed form at the correct court office. King's Bench Division paperwork is generally filed at the Royal Courts of Justice in London or at a District Registry, depending on where the claim is proceeding. Check whether a fee is payable (fees vary, so check gov.uk for the current amount) and keep a stamped copy for your own records.

Common questions