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04 May 2012 / Dominic Regan
Issue: 7512 / Categories: Opinion , Costs
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Jackson starts to unravel

Dominic Regan is alarmed by the undoing of the Jackson proposals

You could not make it up. Those determined to prevent the Jackson package of reforms from being implemented never landed an effective punch. However, it now seems that those charged with introducing reform are doing a fine job of botching the process.

Fixed costs uncertain

My understanding is that the very cornerstone of fast-track change, the introduction of fixed costs, is not going to happen next year. Sir Rupert was desperate for this because it would impose proportionality upon litigants, or at least what the legislature considered proportionate. No longer would inefficiency be rewarded. Those who made an elaborate meal of it would not be better off with higher-base costs and, in turn, a greater additional uplift (since the uplift is geared to the base costs figure). A tariff would apply and that would encourage the speedy, efficient resolution of disputes. Furthermore, a fixed regime would kill off the costs of costs as you would not need to have a detailed

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

International hospitality and leisure specialist joins corporate team as partner

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Firm appoints head of intellectual property to drive northern growth

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
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