ABSTRACT
Doubt has been cast on whether the fast track procedure can fulfil its aims of expediting and simplifying procedure. It potentially adds a new stage to every defamation trial, there is little guidance as to how judges are to decide cases under this procedure and there will still be areas of conflict between the parties, such as the suitability of the procedure to the case in question and points of evidence. Legal aid is not available for the procedure, although the Lord Chancellor has said that he is considering it.
