MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
News Release (095/08) issued by The Government News Network on 21
July 2008
A new claims
process which will apply to road traffic accident personal injury
claims is to be established, the Government said today.
Road traffic accident cases comprise approximately 75% of
personal injury claims. This new streamlined procedure provides
for early notification of claims valued between £1,000 and £10,000.
The new process promotes early admissions of liability and early
settlements, and removes duplication of work from the process. It
also introduces fixed time periods and fixed recoverable costs.
The details come in response to the consultation paper,
"Case track limits and the claims process for personal injury
claims", published today. It summarises the responses
received to the consultation paper and sets out the next steps.
The Government has also concluded that there should be no change
to the small claims limits, including those for personal injury
and housing disrepair claims, and that the fast track limit should
be increased to £25,000.
Bridget Prentice MP, Minister for Civil Justice, said:
"If you have been injured in a traffic accident, you want
any claim resolved as quickly as possible. This new process
encourages people to come to a quick settlement and to resolve any
issues without a lengthy court process.
"The Government remains of the view that increasing the
small claims limits would deny claimants access to appropriate
legal advice to assist them with their claims. But increasing the
fast track limit will provide greater flexibility for the courts
to manage cases in the most efficient way."
Notes for Editors
1. The consultation paper: Case track limits and the claims
process for personal injury claims was published on 20 April 2007
http://www.justice.gov.uk The
first part of the paper invited comments on proposals on the case
management track limits as provided for in Part 26.6 of the Civil
Procedure Rules. The second part of the paper invited comments on
proposals to improve the claims process for personal injury claims.
2. A copy of the Response to Consultation is available at http://www.justice.gov.uk
http://www.justice.gov.uk
ENDS