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anon at 08.00 - but it does highlight that this is not just a LIP issue.

As much as others here and Lord Sumption have said that the rules are clear, look at CPR 7.5, a section headed "Service of a claim form". The table of permitted service methods includes Email or other electronic method of service, and says the step required is "Sending the e-mail or other electronic transmission". However:

- It does not mention that you need permission to serve in that manner.
- There is no distinction in that table between Fax and email, notwithstanding the difference between them in PD6, 4.1 (a) & (b).
- There is no reference or pointer towards CPR 6 , and certainly no clear indication that whatever method of service you use also has to meet the detailed requirements there.
- Indeed the only reference to CPR 6 is below that table, and relates to service out of the jurisdiction.

I could perhaps understand if 7.5 simply said you had to serve with no further comment, which would then prompt a sensible person to look elsewhere in the rules to find what that meant. But on the face of it, CPR 7.5 tells you what you have to do.

In my view, to suggest that the rules are clear, unambiguous and easily understood is simply wrong. A simple foot note to 7.5 is all that would be required.