header-logo header-logo

12 February 2010 / Andrew Parker
Issue: 7404 / Categories: Opinion , Costs
printer mail-detail

More than a quick fix

Fourteen years ago Lord Woolf advocated a fast track for low value claims. Inherent in his proposals was the idea of a matrix of fixed costs for all claims within the track limits.

Fourteen years ago Lord Woolf advocated a fast track for low value claims. Inherent in his proposals was the idea of a matrix of fixed costs for all claims within the track limits. In the end, however, he was persuaded to proceed with only limited fixed costs (for trial fees). Implementation of any further fixed costs since 1999 has been minimal.

It is no surprise Jackson LJ has set out to redress this, again advocating fixed costs in all fast track cases. The surprise may be that he has gone much further and has produced a matrix of figures for all personal injury accident cases within the fast track, with a commitment to extend this to employers’ liability disease cases within a few months.

This may not be the most controversial of his recommendations, but it will be seen as

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

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
back-to-top-scroll