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04 May 2012 / Dominic Regan
Issue: 7512 / Categories: Opinion , Costs
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Jackson starts to unravel

Dominic Regan is alarmed by the undoing of the Jackson proposals

You could not make it up. Those determined to prevent the Jackson package of reforms from being implemented never landed an effective punch. However, it now seems that those charged with introducing reform are doing a fine job of botching the process.

Fixed costs uncertain

My understanding is that the very cornerstone of fast-track change, the introduction of fixed costs, is not going to happen next year. Sir Rupert was desperate for this because it would impose proportionality upon litigants, or at least what the legislature considered proportionate. No longer would inefficiency be rewarded. Those who made an elaborate meal of it would not be better off with higher-base costs and, in turn, a greater additional uplift (since the uplift is geared to the base costs figure). A tariff would apply and that would encourage the speedy, efficient resolution of disputes. Furthermore, a fixed regime would kill off the costs of

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Stephen Ward, The Barrister Group

NLJ Career Profile: Stephen Ward, The Barrister Group

From mowing lawns to life at the Bar: Stephen Ward reflects on an unconventional career

Clarke Willmott—Ben Loosemore

Clarke Willmott—Ben Loosemore

Commercial property partner joins Clarke Willmott in Southampton

Ellisons—Robert Tiffen

Ellisons—Robert Tiffen

Robert Tiffen joins Ellisons as Partner in growing Norwich office

NEWS
The Law Society RFC Festival of Sport returns next month, bringing together legal and financial services professionals for one of the sector’s largest annual sporting events
Legal aid deserts leave almost one in four without adequate access to justice
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has warned solicitors and law firms that using artificial intelligence does not alter their professional obligations, amid concerns over inaccurate legal material and client confidentiality
From forgotten interest claims to case-management appeals, a string of procedural developments offers useful—and occasionally cautionary—lessons for practitioners

Jonathan Fisher KC highlights that it now accounts for around 40% of criminal offences, with roughly 70% involving technology, and argues that the UK cannot simply prosecute its way out of the problem. Detection, investigation and prosecution all require improvement, while different fraud types demand tailored responses.

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