APIL urges re-balance of civil justice

The balance between big business and injured people is “tipping the wrong way”, the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) has claimed.
Addressing guests at the annual President’s Lunch event at the Armourer’s Hall in London last week, APIL President John McQuater said it was time to recognise and address the fact that the balance essential to the “integrity of our legal system” was tipping the wrong way.

He went on to express disappointment that recommendations to increase levels of damages had not been implemented, and voiced concern at proposals to use damages to fund success fees.

“How quickly has it been forgotten that recoverability of additional liabilities was introduced to justify withdrawal of legal aid, which remember APIL opposed, just a decade ago,” he said.

McQuater warned against any further dilution of the civil justice system. “I urge the government not to create a monolithic litigation system which allows the interests of big business to trample on injured people,” he added.