NCTJ Court Reporting Practice Exam

In civil cases, what document should be accessible under the Civil Procedure Rules?

1. The judgment

2. The statement of case

3. The legal brief

4. Notice of appeal

The correct answer is: The statement of case

In civil cases, the statement of case is a fundamental document that outlines the claims being made by the parties. It serves to provide a clear, structured presentation of the case details, including the nature of the claim, the grounds on which it is based, and the relief sought. Under the Civil Procedure Rules, accessibility of the statement of case is emphasized to ensure transparency and fairness in legal proceedings. This document is essential for the court’s understanding of the issues at hand, and it allows all parties involved to comprehend the framework of the litigation. Ensuring that the statement of case is accessible promotes the principles of justice by allowing for informed participation and consideration by all stakeholders, including the judges and the opposing party. While the other documents, such as the judgment, legal brief, and notice of appeal, are important within the context of civil litigation, they do not hold the same level of required accessibility at the outset of the case. The judgment, for example, comes at the end of the proceedings and is not a document produced by the parties at the initiation of the case. The legal brief tends to be more associated with lawyers’ arguments and may not be formally required to be accessible. The notice of appeal relates to challenging a judgment and becomes relevant only after