Running-down action

A running-down action is the traditional legal name for a lawsuit arising from a road accident, most often a claim for personal injury or death.

The Sessions Court has unlimited jurisdiction to hear a running-down action regardless of the amount claimed, so almost all motor accident suits are filed there rather than in the High Court.^[1]

Most running-down actions settle before trial, and the court appearance only records the agreed outcome.

Filing a motor accident claim in court explains what starting one involves, and an independent lawyer can file it for you.