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03 July 2008
Issue: 7328 / Categories: Legal News , Personal injury
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CFA review announced

Legal news

A government review of no win no fee agreements is unnecessary and will “distract” from ongoing work, say personal injury lawyers.

Justice minister Bridget Prentice announced the review in response to “growing concerns” that conditional fee agreements “may not always be operating in the interests of access to justice”.

The review will examine unmet need, the nature of funding arrangements and their outcome, and quality of service in the legal sector.

Professor Richard Moorhead of Cardiff School of Law, who will carry out the research with two economics professors says: “The controversies generated around no win, no fee agreements cry out for a balanced,evidence-based approach.”

Denise Kitchener, chief executive officer of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers says: “We have had CFAs for 10 years and, while they are not without their problems, claimant lawyers have tried hard to make them work. We are still waiting to hear the government’s response on the claims process consultation, and this additional review could distract time and attention away from work already being undertaken.”
 

Issue: 7328 / Categories: Legal News , Personal injury
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Forbes Solicitors—Stephen Barnfield

Forbes Solicitors—Stephen Barnfield

Regulatory team boosted by partner hire amid rising health and safety demand

Arc Pensions Law—Kris Weber

Arc Pensions Law—Kris Weber

Legal director promoted to partner at specialist pensions firm

Clarke Willmott—Jonathan Cree

Clarke Willmott—Jonathan Cree

Residential development capability expands with partner hire in Birmingham

NEWS

From blockbuster judgments to procedural shake-ups, the courts are busy reshaping litigation practice. Writing in NLJ this week, Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School hails the Court of Appeal's 'exquisite judgment’ in Mazur restoring the role of supervised non-qualified staff, and highlights a ‘mammoth’ damages ruling likened to War and Peace, alongside guidance on medical reporting fees, where a pragmatic 25% uplift was imposed

Momentum is building behind proposals to restrict children’s access to social media—but the legal and practical challenges are formidable. In NLJ this week, Nick Smallwood of Mills & Reeve examines global moves, including Australia’s under-16 ban and the UK's consultation
Reforms designed to rebalance landlord-tenant relations may instead penalise leaseholders themselves. In this week's NLJ, Mike Somekh of The Freehold Collective warns that the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 risks creating an ‘underclass’ of resident-controlled freehold companies
Timing is everything—and the Court of Appeal has delivered clarity on when proceedings are ‘brought’. In his latest 'Civil way' column for NLJ, Stephen Gold explains that a claim is issued for limitation purposes when the claim form is delivered to the court, even if fees are underpaid
The traditional ‘single, intensive day’ of financial dispute resolution (FDR) may be due for a rethink. Writing in NLJ this week, Rachel Frost-Smith and Lauren Guiler of Birketts propose a ‘split FDR’ model, separating judicial evaluation from negotiation
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