DEPARTMENT FOR
CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS News Release (041/07) issued by The
Government News Network on 20 April 2007
A consultation on
case track limits and the claims process for personal injury
claims was published by the Department for Constitutional Affairs today.
The paper recommends no increase to the small claims limits,
including those for personal injury and housing disrepair claims.
It does however recommend that the fast track limit should be
raised to £25,000.
The paper also considers ways to improve the claims process for
personal injury cases to make it more efficient. It makes
proposals for a new system built around the principles of early
notification of claims, early admissions of liability and the
removal of duplication of work from the process. They also provide
for actions to be taken within fixed time periods and with fixed
recoverable costs.
Speaking at the annual conference of the Association of Personal
Injury Lawyers, Lord Falconer, Secretary of State for
Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor said,
"If we are to achieve confidence in the delivery of justice,
for the individual and for society, we need real reform. Reform
which initiates a culture change. We must change the way cases are
handled to make it more efficient. This consultation paper sets
out proposals for such a system. People will see justice being
delivered in a timely, proportionate and cost effective way."
Lord Falconer also spoke about other reforms underway, including
claims management regulation, which commences fully on Monday 23 April.
Notes for Editors
1. The consultation period will end on 13 July 2007. A copy of
the paper is available at: http://www.dca.gov.uk\consult\case-track-limits\cp0807.htm
2. Cases in the courts are assigned to one of three tracks: the
Multi Track, the Fast Track or the Small Claims Track, depending
on the amount of the claim and the complexity of the case. Current
case track limits are set out in the Civil procedure Rules: http://www.dca.gov.uk/civil/procrules_fin/menus/rules.htm
http://www.dca.gov.uk