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"stupid and unfair points on time should not be taken and if they are potentially penalised in costs"

Problem is the court has some in-built ones now, such as automatic strike out if hearing fees aren't paid on time.

The deadlines in CPR have always seemed advisory at best and the aborted attempt in Mitchell to enforce some discipline only made things more arbitrary.

If it was the case that deadlines were deadlines - with absolutely no argument if missed - then we'd know where we stood. With that would have to come a better procedure for agreeing extensions - i.e. an automatic right to 28 days where notice is given - to stop people being held to ransom by people not picking up the phone (looking at you DWF).

As it stands half of the time one side seems to be able to simply ignore deadlines and be allowed to bring their evidence/defence/whatever late because for "reasons". Often it is unreasonable to bring an unfair point about time - until it isn't and you get struck out by some git on the other side. There is just no consistency.

And don't get me started on receiving court orders a month after the deadline...