*/
Extending the fixed costs regime is the only way to bring down civil litigation costs, according to Lord Justice Jackson.
The architect of the present civil costs regime reiterated his call for fixed recoverable costs to be extended from personal injury claims to all cases up to £250,000.
He told a conference organised by the Westminster Legal Policy Forum in May that extending the fixed costs regime for all remaining fast-track cases was ‘unfinished business’ that needed to be addressed as soon as possible.
He said: ‘I do ask you to accept that the only way to control costs is to do so in advance. That will mean that each side will know what they have to pay out if they lose, and what they get back if they win.’
He suggested this could be achieved through either a grid setting cost rates for different cases or having a budget tailored to individual kinds of case.
Jackson said he hoped ‘serious consideration’ would be given to the fast and multi-track regimes.
Meanwhile, ministers took the decision temporarily to delay controversial plans to impose fixed costs in clinical negligence claims up to £250,000. The scheme was due to come into force on 1 October.
But health minister Ben Gummer confirmed that the implementation would not go ahead as planned and that a consultation will be published later in the year.
Extending the fixed costs regime is the only way to bring down civil litigation costs, according to Lord Justice Jackson.
The architect of the present civil costs regime reiterated his call for fixed recoverable costs to be extended from personal injury claims to all cases up to £250,000.
He told a conference organised by the Westminster Legal Policy Forum in May that extending the fixed costs regime for all remaining fast-track cases was ‘unfinished business’ that needed to be addressed as soon as possible.
He said: ‘I do ask you to accept that the only way to control costs is to do so in advance. That will mean that each side will know what they have to pay out if they lose, and what they get back if they win.’
He suggested this could be achieved through either a grid setting cost rates for different cases or having a budget tailored to individual kinds of case.
Jackson said he hoped ‘serious consideration’ would be given to the fast and multi-track regimes.
Meanwhile, ministers took the decision temporarily to delay controversial plans to impose fixed costs in clinical negligence claims up to £250,000. The scheme was due to come into force on 1 October.
But health minister Ben Gummer confirmed that the implementation would not go ahead as planned and that a consultation will be published later in the year.
Barbara Mills KC, the new Chair of the Bar, outlines some key themes and priorities
A family lawyer has won a £500 donation for her preferred charity, an education centre for women from disadvantaged backgrounds, thanks to drug, alcohol and DNA testing laboratory AlphaBiolabs’ Giving Back campaign
Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management highlights some of the ways you can cut your IHT bill
Rachel Davenport breaks down everything you need to know about AlphaBiolabs’ industry-leading laboratory testing services for legal matters
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management sets out the key steps to your dream property
A centre of excellence for youth justice, the Youth Justice Legal Centre provides specialist training, an advice line and a membership programme
What's it like being a legal trainee at the Crown Prosecution Service? Amy describes what drew her to the role, the skills required and a typical day in the life
Barbara Mills KC wants to raise the profile of the family Bar. She also wants to improve wellbeing and enhance equality, diversity and inclusion in the profession. She talks to Joshua Rozenberg KC (hon) about her plans for the year ahead
Professor Dominic Regan and Seán Jones KC identify good value bottles across the price spectrum – from festive fizz to reliable reds
Governments who play fast and loose with the law get into real trouble, says the new Attorney General. The Rt Hon Lord Hermer KC talks to Anthony Inglese CB about what drew this boy from Cardiff to the Bar, bringing the barrister ethos to the front bench, and how he will be measuring success
Mark Neale, Director General of the Bar Standards Board, offers an update on the Equality Rules consultation
