HM Courts & Tribunals Service Edition N170 (10.23) 8 pages

Form N170: Listing questionnaire (pre-trial checklist)

The checklist each party returns before a fast track, intermediate track or multi-track trial is listed, confirming the case is ready for trial.

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N170 Pre-trial checklist · Listing questionnaire (pre-trial checklist) (N170)
The official HM Courts & Tribunals Service form, edition N170 (10.23) — blank
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What is N170 Pre-trial checklist?

As a civil claim gets close to trial, the court sends each party a listing questionnaire, also called a pre-trial checklist: form N170. The court uses it to check that the directions have been followed and to fix or confirm the trial date and length.

N170 asks whether you have complied with the directions already given (and if not, which ones and by when), whether further directions are needed, your witnesses and the dates they want to avoid, any special facilities or interpreters, your experts and their reports, who will present your case, whether the trial length estimate has changed, whether you would accept shorter notice, vulnerability, and which documents you attach. It must be returned by the date the court gives, or your statement of case may be struck out or another sanction imposed.

FileIt asks each question in plain English, fills in the tables row by row, and prints your answers into HMCTS's own N170 PDF (10.23 edition), including names with accents and non-English letters. You sign it and return it to the court yourself. FileIt never files anything for you.

Who fills it
Each party, or their legal representative
Returned to
The court, no later than the date given on the form
If late
The form warns your statement of case may be struck out or some other sanction imposed
Attach
Legal representatives: costs estimates if no costs management order; multi-track: a proposed trial timetable
Signature
Signed by the party or their legal representative
Edition
N170 (10.23), 8 pages

Who needs to fill out N170 Pre-trial checklist?

  • Claimants and defendants in a fast track, intermediate track or multi-track claim that is approaching trial.
  • People representing themselves at a civil trial.
  • Solicitors and other legal representatives preparing a client's case for trial.

When to use N170 Pre-trial checklist

  • When the court sends you N170, usually some weeks before the trial date or trial window.
  • Return it by the last date for filing shown on the form.
  • If the claim settles, or settles before the trial date, let the court know immediately.

What you need before you start

  • The court name, claim number, last date for filing and the trial date or trial window.
  • The directions the court has given, and which you still have to comply with and by when.
  • How many witnesses will give evidence for you, and the dates they want to avoid and why.
  • Your experts' names and fields, whether they are joint experts, whether their reports are agreed and whether oral evidence has been permitted.
  • Who will present your case at trial and any dates they need to avoid.
  • Your current estimate of how long the trial will take.

What’s on N170 Pre-trial checklist

The 2023 edition has 8 pages. FileIt asks for it in 8 parts, and it is signed by Party:

  1. The claim and who you areParty
  2. 1. Confirmation of compliance with directionsParty
  3. 2. WitnessesParty
  4. 3. ExpertsParty
  5. 4. Legal representationParty
  6. 5-6. The trialParty
  7. 7-8. Vulnerability and documentsParty
  8. 9. SignatureParty

How to fill out N170 Pre-trial checklist, step by step

1 Page 1: the claim and who you are

The court, claim number, last date for filing, the date or period fixed for trial, the party the checklist is for, and whether you are that party or their legal representative.

2 1. Directions

Confirm you have complied with the directions that require action by you, or list the ones still outstanding with the date each will be done. Say whether further directions are needed before trial (you should attach an application and a draft order) and whether they are agreed.

3 2. Witnesses

How many witnesses, including yourself, will give evidence for you (not counting experts), the days they would wish to avoid if the trial date isn't fixed, any special facilities or arrangements they need, and whether you will provide an interpreter.

4 3. Experts

For each expert: name, field, whether they are a joint expert, whether the report is agreed and whether permission has been given for oral evidence. Then whether the experts have discussed the case and signed a joint statement, and any dates an expert giving oral evidence wants to avoid.

5 4 to 9. Representation, the trial and signing

Who will present your case (you, a solicitor or counsel) and dates they need to avoid; whether the trial length estimate has changed and whether that is agreed; whether the trial timetable is agreed; for the fast and intermediate tracks, whether you would accept shorter notice of the trial date than the usual 3 weeks; vulnerability; the documents you attach; and your signature and contact details.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Missing the last date for filing: the form warns your statement of case may be struck out or another sanction imposed.
  • Saying you have complied with the directions when some are still outstanding.
  • Including experts in the witness count; they belong in section 3.
  • Forgetting the attachments: an application and draft order for further directions, and for the multi-track a proposed trial timetable.
  • Not telling the court about a witness's disability or need for an interpreter.
  • Not updating the trial length estimate when it has changed.

After you fill it out

Print the checklist, check it and sign it, or sign it with FileIt's eSignature.

Return it to the court by the last date for filing with any attachments, and keep a copy. FileIt doesn't send anything for you.

The court will confirm the trial date and length. Keep your copy with your trial bundle and witness statements in FileIt.

Fill out N170 Pre-trial checklist online with FileIt

  1. Pick the person. Choose someone from People and FileIt fills in their name, date of birth, address and other details it already knows.
  2. Answer plain-language questions. One part of the form at a time, with the official help text beside each question — 108 fields in all. Your answers save as you go.
  3. Check the live preview. Watch your answers land on the real HM Courts & Tribunals Service form, and let FileIt do any worksheet arithmetic.
  4. Generate the official PDF. FileIt prints your answers into the agency’s own PDF and files it in that person’s folder in your vault. Sign it, or send it for e-signature.

FileIt fills the form — it never files or submits anything for you. Deliver the finished form to whoever asked for it, the way the form’s instructions say.

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N170 Pre-trial checklist: frequently asked questions

Is a listing questionnaire the same as a pre-trial checklist?

Yes. Form N170 is called both: the listing questionnaire, or pre-trial checklist.

What happens if I don't return N170 in time?

The form says it must be completed and returned no later than the date given, and if not, your statement of case may be struck out or some other sanction imposed.

How much notice of the trial date will I get?

For fast and intermediate track trials the form says the court will normally give 3 weeks' notice, unless in exceptional circumstances it directs shorter notice. Question 6.1 asks whether you would accept shorter notice.

Can I use an expert at trial without permission?

No. The form says you may not use an expert's report or have your expert give oral evidence unless the court has given permission; if you don't have permission, you must make an application.

Does FileIt send the checklist to the court?

No. FileIt prints your answers into the official N170 PDF. You sign it and return it to the court yourself.

Official sources

FileIt is not affiliated with or endorsed by HM Courts & Tribunals Service or any government. This page explains the form in general terms and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always read the official instructions, and check that you are using the edition the recipient accepts. Page last reviewed 2026-10-25.

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