What is the purpose of pre-action protocols in civil disputes?

• A. Promote early settlement and exchange of information before claims are issued
• B. Determine the court's jurisdiction
• C. Decide damages and costs
• D. Determine the guilty party

Answer: (A)

Pre-action protocols are about getting the dispute organized before any court claim is started. They require the parties to exchange essential information, share relevant documents, and set out the facts and issues in dispute so each side understands the other’s position. The aim is to encourage early settlement and to narrow or clarify the issues, which helps avoid unnecessary litigation and makes any eventual court process more efficient. They also often push parties to consider alternative dispute resolution before proceeding to court.

That makes the chosen option the best fit because it captures the central purpose: promoting early settlement and information exchange before a claim is issued. The other options relate to different stages or outcomes—jurisdiction is decided separately, damages and costs are determined later in proceedings, and civil disputes don’t involve proving guilt in the way criminal cases do.