The final countdown has begun. On 1 October, the new intermediate track comes into existence. A vast number of cases worth between £25,000 and £100,000 will be subject to a fixed costs matrix. No more costs management or detailed assessment. The way out is to issue proceedings before the date of implementation. That would appear to be easier said than done. On a recent trek around England, I was told over and over again that it was common for courts to take something between 40 and 50 days to get proceedings issued. On that basis—and appreciating that you may not be alone in making a final sprint to issue—one might be too late before this month is out!
For disease cases, one must fire off a compliant formal letter of claim before October. Injury claimants are in the best position for now. The new measures only apply where their cause of action accrued on 1 October or later.
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