One of the remaining unanswered questions regarding the 3 month moratorium was in relation to actions that had already started but had not been concluded.
We now have the answer.
The Master of the Rolls has confirmed that all possession matters that are currently ongoing are suspended for a minimum of 3 months regardless of the current stage of the proceedings. They will be treated as adjourned generally with permission to restore. Whilst this is likely to be incredibly frustrating for Landlords many of whom have already spent many months getting to this point only to now be told they cannot enforce a possession order that they already have, this at least provides some certainty which is welcome.
Once the 3 months has expired, assuming that this is not extended, Claimants will be entitled to write to the court to restore the claim to continue from where it left off.
Published 27 March 2020
