The recent Court of Appeal decision in the case of Hirachand v Hirachand [2021] EWCA Civ 1498 is a stark reminder that parties to legal proceedings need to engage with the legal process to protect their position. In this case a failure to engage with the court process including complying with court orders led to a debarring order such that the litigant was unable to participate in the trial.

An appeal on the basis of the appellant having been unable to participate in the trial was unsuccessful and the Court of Appeal maintained that the lower court had no obligation to proactively manage the attendance of a debarred party. 

Whilst this is not surprising, it does serve as a reminder of the importance of engaging with the legal process to protect your position.