Expert fees cut

Justice Secretary Chris Grayling has ordered a cut in fees for expert witness whiplash medical reports to tackle what he claims is a “compensation culture”. Personal injury lawyers have repeatedly disputed the existence of such a culture. From October, experts can only charge £180 for an initial whiplash report. Currently, reports can cost up to £700. Grayling said new court rules will also introduce an expectation that there will be only a single report, discourage insurers from settling without a medical report, and prevent experts also offering treatment to the injured claimant.