A readiness directions hearing will usually take place about four weeks from the scheduled hearing date, before a member of the Court.
The purpose of the readiness directions hearing is to ascertain from the parties whether they are ready to proceed to hearing. All parties to an action should be ready to answer the following questions:
1.
Are
the proposal plans to be amended?
2. Is there any possibility of the parties entering into further negotiations?
3. Is the appeal hearing ready to proceed on the scheduled dates?
4. What are the issues that will be covered at the hearing?
5. How many and what type of witnesses will you be calling?
6. Have the experts met and discussed their expert opinions?
7. How long do you estimate the hearing will take?
8. Do you or any of your witnesses require an interpreter?
9. Do you or any of your witnesses require disability access?
If the matter is not ready to proceed then the hearing dates will be vacated.
The member of Court may also give directions about the giving of evidence by the experts. A direction may be given for experts in the same field to give their evidence concurrently. You should aim to know how your case will be presented (the issues, and the identity of your witnesses) by the time of the readiness directions hearing. Ideally, the expert witnesses in the same field will have met and identified the matters on which they are not able to agree, prior to the readiness hearing.