*/
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.
The Chair of the Bar reports back
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how global events can influence the performance of pensions and ISAs, and why taking a long-term approach to investing is often the most effective strategy
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, discusses what family law professionals need to know about hallucinogens, from the main hallucinogenic drugs encountered in family proceedings, to their effects and the testing options available
Harmony Christian Ministries is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
By David Green
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, examines the forensic science underpinning hair drug testing, its evidential scope and limitations, and why it remains the gold standard for evidencing patterns of drug use in family proceedings
Developing a tech start-up demands a different definition of excellence to the Bar, says Saara Idelbi. The co-creator of Advocatr on entrepreneurship, AI advocacy training, and matching the thrill of a killer cross-examination
At the start of her term, Chair of the Bar 2026 Kirsty Brimelow KC set out a series of priorities for the year ahead. One of those priorities was children in the justice system
As the world becomes more digital, Barbara Vinagre Mota examines international research into the mental health consequences of judges’ exposure to graphic and immersive evidence, highlighting the importance of support systems
Reviewed by Daniel Barnett
James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain until 27 September Rothko in Florence at Palazzo Strozzi until 23 August Reviewed by Stephen Cragg KC
