Fixed recoverable costs should be introduced for clinical negligence claims valued at up to £250,000, the Medical Protection Society, which represents doctors and other medical professionals, has said. It called on the government this week to be ‘bold’, about ‘disproportionate legal fees’, given that legal costs account for 34% of the NHS’s annual £1.5bn clinical negligence bill. Claimant solicitors say fixed costs will restrict access to justice. A government consultation on fixed costs for claims up to £25,000 recently took place. Lord Justice Jackson is due to conclude his own review into fixed recoverable costs at the end of July.
26 April 2017
Fixed recoverable costs: the doctors’ view
MOVERS & SHAKERS
NLJ Career Profile: Nikki Bowker, Devonshires
Nikki Bowker, head of litigation and dispute resolution at Devonshires, on career resilience, diversity in law and channelling Elle Woods when the pressure is on
Ellisons—Sarah Osborne
Leasehold enfranchisement specialist joins residential property team
DWF—Chris Air
Firm strengthens commercial team in Manchester with partner appointment
NEWS
The High Court’s refusal to recognise a prolific sperm donor as a child’s legal parent has highlighted the risks of informal conception arrangements, according to Liam Hurren, associate at Kingsley Napley, in NLJ this week
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Medical reporting organisation fees have become ‘the final battleground’ in modern costs litigation, says Kris Kilsby, costs lawyer at Peak Costs and council member of the Association of Costs Lawyers, in this week's NLJ
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