Late evidence and relief from sanctions (Middlesbrough County Court at Teesside Combined Court)

Missed the 14-day deadline for a claim listed at Middlesbrough County Court at Teesside Combined 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: Middlesbrough County Court at Teesside Combined Court
• Court code: 270
• Address: The Law Courts, Centre Square, Middlesbrough, Middlesbrough, TS1 2AE
• Phone: 01642 340000; 0300 123 5577; 0300 303 0642
• Civil filing email: Adoptions.middlesbrough.countycourt@justice.gov.uk
• DX: DX 65152 Middlesbrough 2
• Public counter hours: Monday to Friday (County Court)(Llys Sirol)
• 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, hearing loop

Source: https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/middlesbrough-county-court-at-teesside-combined-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
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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.