If a party fails to file their DQ, the court may do what?

• A. List a CMC
• B. Make an order for directions in the absence of that DQ
• C. Strike out the defence and enter judgment in default in favour of the claimant
• D. Dismiss the claim entirely

Answer: (B)

The important point is that the court has power to keep the case moving even if a party fails to file a Directions Questionnaire. The Directions Questionnaire helps the court decide how the case should be managed and what timetable to set. If that DQ isn’t filed, the court can still take control of the process by making an order for directions in its absence. This allows the case to proceed and the parties to receive a structured timetable without waiting for the missing DQ.

The other options aren’t the standard remedy for missing a DQ. The court might list a Case Management Conference in due course, but that isn’t the direct action triggered simply by failing to file the DQ. Striking out the defence with default judgment or dismissing the claim entirely would be too severe for just failing to file the DQ; such sanctions would arise from broader non-compliance or other specific breaches, not automatically from this situation.