Citation, commencement, interpretation and extent

1.—(1) These Rules may be cited as the Court Funds (Amendment) Rules 2025 and come into force on 19th January 2026.

(2) In these Rules, a reference to a rule by number alone means the rule so numbered in the Court Funds Rules 2011(2).

(3) These Rules extend to England and Wales.

Amendment of the Court Funds Rules 2011

2. The Court Funds Rules 2011 are amended in accordance with rules 3 to 7 of these Rules.

Amendment to rule 11 (interest bearing accounts)

3. In rule 11—

(a)at the beginning insert—

“(A1) Paragraphs (1) to (3) apply to funds deposited in sterling.”;

(b)after paragraph (3) insert—

“(5) Paragraphs (6) to (8) apply to funds deposited in foreign currency.

(6) The Accountant General shall invest money in accordance with any:

(a)payment schedule signed and authenticated by a court, or if the case is one where the Accountant General has directed that electronic means may be used, an electronic authenticated copy of such schedule from the court, directing the investment or reinvestment of the foreign currency; or

(b)directions in accordance with rule 17(2) directing the investment or reinvestment of the foreign currency.

(7) Where paragraph (6) does not apply, the Accountant General shall invest money in an interest bearing account of that currency that allows for withdrawals of money at any time without penalty.

(8) Where it is not possible to invest money in any currency in which the fund is required to be invested by virtue of paragraph (6) or (7), the Accountant General shall apply to the appropriate court for directions.”.

Amendment to rule 13 (accrual of interest)

4. In rule 13—

(a)in paragraph (2)—

(i)omit “and rule 16(2)”;

(ii)omit “on a daily basis”;

(b)after paragraph (3) insert—

“(3A) The Accountant General shall credit accrued interest without deducting income tax.

(3B) Paragraphs (3C) and (4) apply to funds deposited in sterling.

(3C) Interest shall accrue on a daily basis.”;

(c)omit paragraph (5);

(d)at the end insert—

“(6) Paragraphs (7) to (10) apply to funds deposited in foreign currency.

(7) Interest shall accrue under the terms of the foreign currency account.

(8) Unless the Accountant General directs otherwise, accrued interest shall be credited:

(a)when credited under the terms of the foreign currency account;

(b)when money is reinvested; and

(c)when an account is closed.

(9) The Accountant General shall pay any charge incurred in placing foreign currency into a foreign currency account from the account in which the foreign currency is held.

(10) Unless a court, deputy or investment manager directs otherwise, the Accountant General shall convert dividend payments received in a foreign currency into sterling and invest the proceeds in accordance with this Part.”.

Amendment to rule 14 (investment)

5. In rule 14(1), after “court” insert “in sterling”.

Omission of rule 16 (foreign currency)

6. Omit rule 16.

Amendment to rule 27 (payment under CPR rule 37.3 (payment out of money paid into court))

7. In rule 27, for the words from “either” to the end substitute—

“( a)either—

(i)a written request from the claimant; or

(ii)written confirmation from the defendant that all or part of the fund in court may be used to satisfy the offer in whole or in part; or

(b)where rule 22A1 applies, either—

(i)an electronic request from the claimant; or

(ii)an electronic copy of the confirmation from the defendant that all or part of the fund in court may be used to satisfy the offer in whole or in part.”.