A new scheme for handling multi-track cases could cut the time they take by an average of three months, HM Courts and Tribunals Service predicts.

The County Court at Central London (CCCL) pilot aims to reduce the number of hearings in multi-track cases. Circuit judges will offer specialist experience to apply to case management.

Multi-track cases will eventually end up at the CCCL as the trial centre for London but, during the pilot cases, will be transferred there earlier so they can be managed from the start. The year-long trial started on 1 October. Results will be fed back to The Civil Procedure Rule Committee at the end of the 12 months.