What is the deadline for contribution or indemnity additional claim?
For a contribution or indemnity claim against an existing party, a defendant may proceed without permission by filing and serving the notice with the defence. If the target party is added later, the permission-free route is within 28 days after that party files its defence.
Read the rule checklist
This page explains the cited rule. It does not generate an automated date. Check the trigger, service facts, time-counting treatment and any order before you use the period in your diary.
- Start point
- The defendant’s defence deadline, or the later-added party’s filed defence
- Stated period
- With the defence, or 28 days after a later-added party files its defence
Worked source check
- Example input
- 03/08/2026
- Expected result
- No automated date. Identify the applicable defence event and check whether court permission is required.
A contribution or indemnity claim is proposed, but it is not confirmed whether the additional party has filed a defence.
CPR Part 20 uses different trigger routes for a contribution or indemnity claim. The guide keeps those routes separate instead of presenting one unqualified filing date.
What this source guide covers
- Period
- With the defence, or 28 days after a later-added party files its defence
- Trigger
- The defendant’s defence deadline, or the later-added party’s filed defence
- Direction
- Follow the applicable Part 20 branch
- Counting method
- Rule 20.6 contains two distinct permission-free routes. The ordinary defence deadline and the later-added-party route do not share one calculated date.
The 28-day later-added-party period must be anchored to that party filing its defence. Do not substitute service of the original particulars or a generic Part 15 date.
Civil Procedure Rules Part 20. CPR 20.6(1) and (2); CPR 20.7. Civil Procedure Rules Part 20 checked 07/08/2026
Exceptions and matter facts
- At any other time, a contribution or indemnity notice needs the court’s permission under CPR 20.6(2)(b).
- Other additional claims are governed by CPR 20.7, including its own permission and service requirements. Check whether the target is already a party.
Deadline Engine is calculation software, not legal advice. Check the current rule, any order and the facts before adding a date to your diary.