The Coronavirus Act 2020 (CVA 2020) had significant implications for landlords and tenants of both commercial and residential premises. It substantially affected the ability of landlords to recover possession during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This practice note outlines the relevant provisions of the CVA 2020. It also considers Practice Direction (PD) 51Z and CPR 55.29, which imposed a temporary stay on most possession proceedings and proceedings to enforce orders for possession, and PD 55C which governed the procedures for reactivating stayed claims and issuing new claims both before and after the end of the stay.

This note also looks at measures that were introduced that temporarily restricted the circumstances in which writs and warrants of possession could be executed.

NOTE: This practice note is no longer maintained.