Civil way: 22 February 2013

JACKSONMANIA

They have arrived and to prove it, they are here: the Lord Justice Jackson inspired Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2013 (SI 2013/262) which like most other things in this life, come into force on 1 April 2013. As we go to press, the new and revised Practice Directions are due to be published any day. We commit ourselves to drive you Jackson crazy over the coming weeks. For what do you wait and for what do you rush?
 

• If you seek to have a plus £5,000–£10,000 claim allocated to the fast track, then you issue before 1 April 2013 because the small claims track limit—and the restricted costs regime with it—rises to £10,000 for claims issued on or after 1 April 2013. The small claims £1,000 limit for personal injury claims remains although the threat looms of an increase in that limit to £5,000 if not more.
• If you are a multi-tracker