Costs

Lord Justice Jackson’s final report certainly lived up to expectations that it would be controversial.

Lord Justice Jackson’s final report on costs in civil cases was warmly welcomed last week by the master of the rolls, Lord Neuberger, whose predecessor had set up the review

Plans to introduce a tough stance on "no win no fee"likely to spark opposition.

I vowed when I took up office as president of the Association of Her Majesty’s District Judges last March that my mission was to persuade the government to return to funding our civil courts to a realistic level and, as the recession brings more and more individuals to the county courts, to ensure that all of those who need it have access to free and efficient expert advice and assistance from a duty solicitor or CAB or other advice agency which is independent of HM Courts Service.

There is much speculation—and perhaps in some quarters trepidation—about the impending report of Jackson LJ on the costs of civil procedure.

NLJ newscast: The future of litigation funding
Newscast available to view now

How should lawyers be paid? asks Geoffrey Bindman

Do you remember Big Bang in April 1999? It heralded the implementation of the civil litigation procedural reforms devised and trailed extensively by Lord Woolf. They were designed to “save expense” and to ensure that cases were dealt with “proportionately”.

Jackson LJ’s much–anticipated final report on costs will be seen by the public sometime in January next year. As I write this there are still key areas where Sir Rupert is considering his options.

Nina Unthank reports on costs against interested parties