Proposals for Reform of Civil Litigation Funding and Costs in
England and Wales
Implementation of Lord Justice Jackson's
Recommendations
Alarm 's response to the Jackson Review
The documents submitted by Alarm in response to this consultation
can be downloaded below:
On 15th November 2010, Justice Secretary
Kenneth Clarke unveiled a programme of wide ranging reform to legal
aid and civil litigation costs in England and Wales, in the form of
two
consultation documents.
One document relates to proposals for the
reform of legal aid in England and Wales and the second on
implementing some of
Lord Justice Jackson’s recommendations on civil litigation funding
and costs including proposals on the reform of conditional fee
agreements (CFAs) and on damages-based agreements (DBAs or
‘contingency fees’).
Alarm is seeking the views of it's members to
put together a response to this consultation. Alarm understands
that personal injury lawyers are mounting a strong campaign to
reduce the effects of the Jackson Review and a body has been
set up to co-ordinate action to protest against the Review's
recommendations.
We have particularly been asked for the views of those involved
in the housing sector about the impact they
foresee of Sir Rupert Jackson's proposals for reform of conditional
fee agreements (non-recoverability of success fees and after the
event insurance premiums, 10% increase in damages for tort claims,
qualified one way costs shifting) on local authorities and other
social housing provides and their customers.
In particular it would be helpful to have a view as to how often
CFAs are used in housing claims and whether the costs of defending
CFA funded claims is currently an issue for housing providers.
We have started a discussion on the Alarm
Forum and would like to encourage you to send us your views.
The deadline for responses is 7th February to allow us enough time
to compile a response in readiness for the 14th February
deadline.