WIDENING THE SCOPE OF FIXED COSTS IN CIVIL CASES

The MoJ is also preparing to extend fixed recoverable costs to a wide range of civil cases.

Proposals, contained in the ‘Transforming our Justice System’ consultation paper, published at the end of the summer, were said to be a move to ensure that the costs of going to court are made clearer and support claimants to make more informed decisions on whether to take or defend legal action. It also focused the need for legal costs proportionality.

The level of costs being proposed are in line with earlier calls from Lord Justice Jackson and extend the fixed fees regime significantly beyond personal injury claims to every type of civil claim up to £250,000.

Adoption of the proposals would be an important move forward in addressing unreasonable non-panel firm costs on legal expenses claims.  Arc Legal has continued to highlight the imbalance in relation to the levels of costs associated with using non-panel firms and so welcomes the introduction of wider fixed recoverable costs.

If you would like to discuss this in further detail, please contact your Account Manager.