Upskilling Experts Module 5: Practice Directions: Narrowing the Issues to Encourage Early Settlement

Module Five of our Upskilling Experts series looks at "Practice Directions: Narrowing the Issues to Encourage Early Settlement".

Module Duration: 2 hours 21 minutes

Recorded: 29/06/2026

Areas covered

Practice Directions are increasingly used to streamline disputes and encourage early resolution before hearings begin. Through structured case management, they help parties clarify their positions, reduce points of contention and improve communication between experts, solicitors and the Tribunal.

This session explores how procedural tools, such as pre-hearing conferences, expert meetings and SAFIs (Statements of Agreed Facts and Issues) are used to narrow the scope of disputes. We’ll examine the practical and ethical dimensions of engagement with instructing solicitors, other experts and the professional duties that underpin effective case preparation.

Sessions Include:

• Deep Dive into the Tribunal’s Practice Directions
• What does The Tribunal Want to See from the Parties?
• Expert Joint Statement
• Reviewing External Influences
• Deal Making for an Early Settlement: During this Process
• What Might the Tribunal Think of your Endeavours

Speakers:

• Lucy Thomas, Partner, Bevan Brittan LLP
• Donald Scannell, Registrar, The Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber)
• Blake Penfold BSc FRICS MCIArb, Business Rates Consultant, Blake Penfold Consultancy
• Henry Church MRICS, Senior Director, CBRE
• Colin Smith, Consultant, Dalcour Maclaren