The small claims limit is to be raised from £5,000 to £15,000, under government proposals.
Justice Secretary Ken Clarke launched the proposals in a consultation, Solving disputes in the county courts: creating a simpler, quicker and more proportionate system, this week alongside his announcement on the Jackson civil justice reforms.
The minimum limit for cases to go to the High Court would rise from £25,000 to £100,000. Housing equity cases will be sent to the High Court where the value is £300,000 or more—the current £30,000 limit was set in 1981 when the average house price was £23,730.
The proposals include expanding the use of an online system for road traffic accident cases so that it is also used for employers’ liability and public liability personal injury claims, and raising the value threshold from £10,000 to £50,000. The online system allows lawyers and insurance companies to resolve claims without going to court.
A National Health Service Litigation Authority pilot will take place to see whether low value clinical negligence claims (up to £50,000) can also be included in the online road traffic accident system.
