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05 April 2012 / Dominic Regan
Issue: 7509 / Categories: Opinion , Legal services , Costs
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Jackson: the shifting sands

Dominic Regan hears the latest from Sir Rupert Jackson

From the outset, Lord Justice Jackson has insisted that his reform proposals were to be seen and applied as a single, coherent package. There should be no cherry-picking or even staggered implementation. It is blindingly clear that the key planks will be implemented. The days of recovering additional liabilities are numbered and the big bang is set to occur on 1 April 2013.

Last month, I attended two talks given in the City of London by Sir Rupert (CLAN Conference, 12 March and SCL Lecture, 26 March). I have picked up a number of signals, some more explicit than others, which practitioners concerned about the future might like to note.

Fixed fast-track costs

The most significant is that fixed fast-track costs may not be implemented next year. Lord Woolf recommended them in 1996. It never happened. The Jackson perspective is that fixed costs will solve many problems. They will impose proportionality upon

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—four appointments

Birketts—four appointments

Firm expands partnership with four lateral hires across key practice areas

Harper James—Lottie Hugo

Harper James—Lottie Hugo

Commercial law firm announces appointment of corporate partner

Carey Olsen—Patrick Ormond

Carey Olsen—Patrick Ormond

Partner joins corporate and finance practice in British Virgin Islands

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