Mark Solon shares the findings of this year’s Bond Solon Annual Expert Witness Survey
In the year when the Jackson reforms were implemented, the annual Bond Solon Expert Witness Survey reflects uncertainty as to whether they will cut costs, and downright pessimism about whether they will increase access to justice.
Out of the 353 people who attended the 19th Annual Bond Solon Expert Witness Conference in London in November, 165 returned their views on the latest legal developments. It is too early to assess the full effect of the Jackson reforms introduced in April, but so far they have not met with universal enthusiasm.
Costs
The hoped-for streamlining and cost reductions are intended to increase access to justice, but about two-thirds of respondents (67%) felt that this would not be achieved—a dispiriting response in the light of the cuts to legal aid. When asked whether the reforms would cut costs, only a minority of respondents (38%) believed that they would. They were balanced by the don’t knows (35%), with 1% not answering. Twelve per cent thought that there would be no change to costs
