Jackson watch: fixed recoverable costs review

Lord Justice Jackson vowed to keep an open mind about what types and levels of cases should fall within proposals to extend fixed recoverable costs at his Manchester roadshow earlier this month.

Sir Rupert emphasised at the outset that his remit was to extend fixed costs to those cases in the fast-track that are not currently subject to fixed costs and to cases on the multi-track which can properly be the subject of fixed costs. In particular, he would not just be looking at costs themselves but also procedures themselves.

John Mead, technical director of the NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA):

• The NHSLA was in favour of fixing costs across all personal injury litigation and that in respect of clinical negligence cases the damages ceiling for such costs to apply should initially be £100,000 with a view to extending that to £250,000 shortly thereafter. There should be limited exceptions to that and Mr Mead gave examples of group litigation, cases