In the context of the resolution of civil disputes, the governing principle behind the court rules, the Employment Tribunals rules and the Employment Appeal Tribunal rules, which is to deal with cases justly and, in relation to the court rules, at proportionate cost (CPR 1.1 , Rule 2, Employment Tribunals Rules of Procedure 2013 and Rule 2A, Employment Appeal Tribunal Rules 1993).

In the context of criminal proceedings, the principle set out in Part 1 of the Criminal Procedure Rules used to ensure all cases are dealt with justly. This includes acquitting the innocent and convicting the guilty and dealing with a case efficiently and expeditiously.

For further guidance, see Practice note, Case management: an overview.