The Final Report includes the following recommendations:
• the CJC accept that the methodology used in the Interim Report is a sufficiently sound basis upon which revised GHRs should be based
• the Civil Procedure Rule Committee is respectfully requested to consider whether to increase the hourly rate allowable for litigants in person
• the recommended changes to London 1 and 2 as reflected in the Interim Report at [4.10] and in the Revised Guide should be adopted
• the GHRs proposed in the Interim Report should be implemented in full (Section E)'
In response to the Final Report, the Master of the Rolls, Sir Geoffrey Vos, chair of the Civil Justice Council and Head of Civil Justice, stated: 'I am grateful to Mr Justice Stewart and his entire working group for the production of this comprehensive report.'
The Master of the Rolls further stated: 'I am mindful of the views of those who have taken the time to write to me and raised concerns during the consultation process in respect of likely changes to working practices following the pandemic. I am also aware of those who support the recommendations arguing that the rates need to be addressed after being static for the last 11 years. I will now consider the recommendations in detail and what action ought to be taken.'
Source: Civil Justice Council publishes final report on guideline hourly rates
This content was first published by LNB News / Lexis®Library, a LexisNexis® company, on 2 August 2021 and is published with permission. Further information can be found at: https://www.lexisnexis.co.uk/
