Which is a possible consequence of failing to follow pre-action steps?

Which is a possible consequence of failing to follow pre-action steps?

• A. The court may impose costs penalties or sanctions
• B. The claim is automatically dismissed
• C. The defendant automatically wins the case
• D. The parties are required to start again with a new claim

Answer: (B)

Failing to follow pre-action steps invites a sanction from the court. These steps are there to encourage early information exchange and settlement, so when a party doesn’t comply, the court can respond by striking out or dismissing the claim for that failure. That outcome—dismissal of the claim—is a direct consequence of non-compliance, which is why it’s presented as a possible result. Keep in mind the court also has power to impose costs penalties or sanctions for breaking the pre-action rules, but the question highlights dismissal as the immediate, tangible consequence connected to not meeting the pre-action requirements. In practice, a judge may choose to strike out the claim or impose cost consequences, depending on the circumstances, but dismissal of the claim is a core sanction tied to failing to follow pre-action steps.

Failing to follow pre-action steps invites a sanction from the court. These steps are there to encourage early information exchange and settlement, so when a party doesn’t comply, the court can respond by striking out or dismissing the claim for that failure. That outcome—dismissal of the claim—is a direct consequence of non-compliance, which is why it’s presented as a possible result.

Keep in mind the court also has power to impose costs penalties or sanctions for breaking the pre-action rules, but the question highlights dismissal as the immediate, tangible consequence connected to not meeting the pre-action requirements. In practice, a judge may choose to strike out the claim or impose cost consequences, depending on the circumstances, but dismissal of the claim is a core sanction tied to failing to follow pre-action steps.