(1) The general rule is that the court office must fix a case management conference immediately upon the filing of a defence to a claim other than a fixed date claim.
(2) If the defendant files a defence and also an admission of a specified sum of money, the case management conference is not to be fixed until the claimant gives notice under rule 14.7(3) that the claim is to continue.
(3) The case management conference must take place not less than 4 weeks nor more than 8 weeks after the defence is filed (or notice is given under rule 14.7(3)) unless any rule or practice direction prescribes a shorter or longer period or the case is urgent.
(4) Notwithstanding paragraph (3) a party may apply to the court to fix a case management conference before a defence is filed.
(5) The application may be without notice but must state the reasons for the application.
(6) The court office must give all parties not less than 14 days' notice of the date, time and place of the case management conference.
(7) The court may with or without an application direct that shorter notice be given —
(a) if the parties agree; or
(b) if it is just in the circumstances for a shorter period of notice to be given.