header-logo header-logo

28 September 2017
Issue: 7763 / Categories: Legal News , Personal injury
printer mail-detail

Discount risk

nlj_7763_chamberlayne

Changing the personal injury discount rate to take account of risky investors means leaving some seriously injured people under-compensated, a senior solicitor has warned. The discount rate, which is used to calculate lifelong compensation for the seriously injured, changed from 2.5% to -0.75% in March and is under review.

Writing in NLJ this week, Julian Chamberlayne, partner at Stewarts and Chairman of the Forum of Complex Injury Solicitors, says rhetoric from the insurance industry has focused on the fact some claimants will be over-compensated. Owing to the many variables involved, the flipside is that some claimants will be under-compensated. Chamberlayne questions whether this is acceptable, given the justice system aims to provide 100% compensation to successful claimants.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Ward Hadaway—Nicola Williams

Ward Hadaway—Nicola Williams

Specialist tax expertise expands with partner appointment

Howard Kennedy—Caroline Urban

Howard Kennedy—Caroline Urban

Firm strengthens corporate and capital raising specialism with partner hire

Payne Hicks Beach—Lucas Moore

Payne Hicks Beach—Lucas Moore

Commercial disputes partner succeeds Robert Brodrick as chair of management board

NEWS
As family structures evolve, the law may face difficult questions about inheritance rights for those in polyamorous relationships
A series of procedural developments could have significant practical consequences for litigators. Writing in NLJ this week, columnist Stephen Gold highlights important updates ranging from digital court reforms to family procedure and admissions of liability
Global mobility is transforming family law, creating new challenges around jurisdiction, assets and child arrangements
The civil justice landscape could be heading for a shake-up, with reform of the Solicitors Act 1974 gathering pace
Employers are being urged to prepare now for far-reaching employment law changes taking effect in January 2027
back-to-top-scroll