Late evidence and relief from sanctions (Dudley County Court and Family Court)

Missed the 14-day deadline for a claim listed at Dudley County Court and Family Court? Do not simply hope the judge accepts the late bundle. The correct route is a relief-from-sanctions application under CPR 3.9, judged on the Denton principles: how serious the breach is, why it happened, and the wider circumstances.

The Denton test in practice

Judges weigh three stages: the seriousness of the breach (a day late with good evidence is different from weeks late and empty), the reason (illness, court error and document loss carry weight; disorganisation does not), and all the circumstances (how much the other side is prejudiced, whether a hearing date is at risk). Applications made promptly, with the evidence attached, fare best.

The application itself

Write to the court and the other side immediately: acknowledge the breach, explain it, attach the completed statement and bundle, and ask for permission to rely on them - offering costs of the delay if fair. A party that brings the breach to the court's own notice, rather than waiting to be caught, presents exactly the attitude the test rewards.

Checklist

• Breach acknowledged immediately, in writing
• Real reason documented (not vague regret)
• Completed evidence attached to the application
• Other side's position invited; delay costs offered

Official sources and related pages

• Witness statement formatting
• Filing mechanics

Court details (verified register data)

• Court: Dudley County Court and Family Court
• Address: The Inhedge, Dudley, Dudley, DY1 1RY
• Phone: 0300 123 5577
• Civil filing email: enquiries.dudley.countycourt@justice.gov.uk
• DX: DX 703028 Sheffield 6
• Public counter hours: Monday to Friday
• Document drop-box: Not published in the register - confirm with the court directly
• Hearing format: Not published in the register - confirm with the court directly
• Facilities: disabled access

Source: https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/dudley-county-court-and-family-court. Verified 2026-09-04. Always confirm against the official court finder before travelling.

Free national support

• Support Through Court: 0300 081 0000 - free, independent support for litigants without a lawyer
• Citizens Advice consumer service: 0808 223 1133 - consumer disputes, pre-claim guidance
• HMCTS general enquiries: 0300 123 7050 - finding the right court or money claim centre

This page is general information about County Court procedure, not legal advice, and it is not provided by HMCTS or any court. Procedures and fees change - always confirm against the official sources linked here before you act.

>Small Claims Court Help is an independent information directory. It is not affiliated with HMCTS, the Ministry of Justice, or any court.

Reviewed by Sean McNamara, 2026-09-04.