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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.
Far-ranging month for the Chair of the Bar
Endometriosis Awareness North, a charity raising awareness of endometriosis and supporting those affected across the North of England, has received a £500 boost from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the most recent data on alcohol misuse in the UK, and the implications for alcohol testing in family proceedings
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how tailored financial planning can help barristers take control of their finances and plan with confidence
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
Seeing the full picture – Baljit Ubhey OBE outlines the CPS action plan to tackle violence against women and girls, offering insights directly relevant to courtroom practice
Heritage as an anchor and a compass, finding our common humanity and embracing the power of the outsider – Melina Antoniadis’s lessons learnt
Is the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office process fit for purpose? Women barristers’ experiences of bullying are not being reported or, if they are, they are not making it through the system, says Tana Adkin KC
Review by Daniel Barnett
Chair of the Bar reports back
