October 2017
Price: £95 PLUS VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
With Government preparing to introduce a Civil Liability Bill, this discussion was timed to consider the future for proposals to reform the Soft Tissue Injury (‘whiplash’) Claims process, and their implications for claimants, insurers and the future of the personal injury market. It also followed the publication of Lord Justice Jackson’s report on fixed recoverable costs, which included proposals to extend fixed recoverable costs to all ‘fast-track’ claims up to £25,000, and the creation of an ‘intermediate-track’ for certain claims below £100,000.
As the Judiciary take forward proposals from Lord Justice Briggs’ Civil Courts Structure Review - underpinned by the planned Court Reform Bill - further sessions looked at the next steps for modernising the civil courts. Discussion focused on the delivery of the proposed ‘Online Court’ for small claims and challenges around the expansion of online dispute resolution and digitised court services, as well as priorities for implementing Briggs' wider recommendations - looking at proposals for a single enforcement court, greater investment in regional courts, changes to the role of case officers and the expansion of alternative dispute resolution.
The conference brought together key policymakers with a range of stakeholders, including members of both Houses of Parliament, senior officials from the Ministry of Justice and other relevant Departments, representatives from across the civil justice system - including legal practitioners, insurers, business associations and consumer groups - as well as academics and representatives of the national and trade press.
