Skip to main content
Book a call — £89
Menu

Form N210PC UK: Planning Court Defendant Response

We're not a law firm — we help you find the right legal support. For advice on your situation, speak to a legal adviser or find a solicitor.

Part ofUK Court & Tribunal Forms

Written by Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)
Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice.
Updated June 2026 · England & Wales
If you have been named as a defendant in a statutory review claim brought in the Planning Court, Form N210PC is the document you use to acknowledge the claim and signal how you want to respond. It sits within the Administrative Court's planning jurisdiction and applies where someone is challenging a decision with a planning or environmental dimension. The form gives you the chance to say whether you intend to contest the claim, summarise your grounds, and flag any directions you want the court to consider. Getting it right matters because the court relies on your acknowledgment to manage the case and the claimant sees it too. This guide walks through what the form does, what each section asks for, and the practical steps involved in completing and filing it in England and Wales.

What this document is

Form N210PC is the acknowledgment of service used by defendants and interested parties in statutory review proceedings issued in the Planning Court, which forms part of the Administrative Court within the High Court of Justice. Statutory reviews are a specific type of challenge brought under statutes such as the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, where a party asks the court to examine the lawfulness of a planning decision made by a public body, inspector, or the Secretary of State.

When a claim is issued and served on you, filing an N210PC is the formal way of telling the court whether you intend to contest the claim in full, contest only part of it, or not contest it at all. The form also captures your grounds for opposing the claim, any additional defendants you think should be joined, and any directions you would like the court to make.

It is a different form from the general judicial review acknowledgment (N462) and is tailored to the procedural rules that govern Planning Court work.

How to use this document

  1. Read the claim form and supporting papers carefully. Before you touch N210PC, work through what the claimant is actually challenging and why. Identify the statutory provision under which the claim is brought, the decision being reviewed, and the grounds set out in the claim. This shapes every answer you give on the acknowledgment and helps you frame a focused response rather than a scattergun one.
  2. Complete Section A by stating your position on the claim. Here you tell the court whether you intend to contest the whole claim, contest part of it, or not contest it. Be decisive. If you are contesting only a portion, you will need to be clear later about which parts you accept and which you resist, so think this through before ticking a box.
  3. Use Sections B and C to name any further defendants and set out your grounds. Section B is where you list anyone you believe should also be named as a defendant, with their contact details. Section C asks for a concise summary of why you are contesting the claim. Keep it focused on the legal grounds rather than rehearsing the whole background of the underlying decision.
  4. Fill in Sections D and E on directions and Aarhus status. Section D lets you request specific directions from the court or confirm you have attached a separate application notice. Section E deals with whether you accept the claim is an Aarhus Convention claim, which affects costs protection in environmental matters. If you say no, you must explain why in the space provided.
  5. Complete Section F, sign the form, and file within the deadline. Give the address for service and details of any counsel instructed, then sign and date. File the completed N210PC at the court where the claim was issued and serve copies on the claimant and any other defendants within the time required by the Civil Procedure Rules, which is generally a short window after service of the claim.

Common questions

If you're dealing with this kind of situation, speak to an experienced legal adviser who can walk you through it — from £89.

Common questions

Q Who should use Form N210PC rather than a different acknowledgment form?
N210PC is used specifically by defendants and interested parties in statutory review claims in the Planning Court. If the claim you have received is a standard judicial review or a civil claim under Part 7 or Part 8, a different acknowledgment form applies. Check the claim form you were served to confirm it is a Planning Court statutory review before using N210PC.
Q How long do I have to file and serve the acknowledgment?
The Civil Procedure Rules set a short deadline, generally measured in days from when the claim was served on you. Missing the deadline can limit your ability to take part in the proceedings. Check the notes on the claim form and the current version of the rules for the exact period that applies to statutory reviews in the Planning Court.
Q What is an Aarhus Convention claim and why does Section E matter?
The Aarhus Convention covers public access to environmental information and justice. Claims that fall within its scope benefit from costs protections that cap the financial risk for claimants. Section E of N210PC asks whether you dispute that the claim qualifies as an Aarhus claim. Your answer can affect how costs are handled, so it should be considered carefully.
Q Can I use N210PC to make a counterclaim?
No. N210PC is an acknowledgment of service for statutory review proceedings, not a vehicle for a counterclaim. Statutory reviews are a narrow form of challenge focused on the lawfulness of a public decision. If you want the court to make specific orders, you generally do so by applying for directions in Section D or by a separate application notice.
Q Do I need a lawyer to complete Form N210PC?
You are not required to instruct a lawyer, but Planning Court work is technical and deadlines are tight. Drafting summary grounds that engage with the claimant's case, and getting the Aarhus position right, often benefits from input from someone experienced in public and planning law. Many defendants, particularly public bodies, are legally represented.
Q What happens after I file the acknowledgment?
The court reviews the papers and the case progresses to a permission stage or directions, depending on the statutory regime. The claimant will have seen your summary grounds and can respond. If the court grants permission or otherwise lets the claim proceed, detailed grounds and evidence usually follow within a timetable the court sets.
Q What if I do not want to contest the claim?
You can tick the box in Section A indicating you do not intend to contest the claim. You should still file the acknowledgment so the court has a complete record and so any interested party status is properly reflected. Not contesting the claim does not necessarily mean agreeing with the outcome sought, just that you will not actively defend.
If you're dealing with this kind of situation, speak to an experienced legal adviser who can walk you through it — from £89.

Sources

This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.

Brad Askew, Solicitor (non-practising)

Written & reviewed by

Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)

Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice. LegalDocuments.co.uk is not a law firm and does not provide regulated legal advice.

Full profile →SRA register ↗
Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is a tool to help you find your way — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a qualified adviser about your situation.