Lord Justice Jackson has gone on the road to host seminars on the impact of fixed recoverable costs.
The senior judge, whose report into civil justice costs led to extensive reform in 2013, will visit five cities as part of his review into fixed costs.
Professor Dominic Regan, of City Law School, who advised Jackson LJ on his review of civil costs, said: “The Jackson roadshow is all about working detail.
“Fixed costs are a certainty. His admiration for the concept appears in his final report unveiled in January 2010. The big two questions are the level of costs and the ceiling up to which they will apply. I do not believe £250,000 will be recommended.”
Roadshow attendees will be able to view a set of fixed costs figures for civil litigation claims up to £250,000, prepared by Kerry Underwood, senior partner at Underwoods Solicitors. Underwood is also accompanying Jackson LJ at roadshows in Leeds and Manchester.
Underwood said: “It is well-known that Lord Justice Jackson and I have not always seen eye to eye on legal reforms, but I am 100% behind him in relation to fixed recoverable costs.
“I would fix them for every aspect of civil litigation, every work-type and without financial limit. Indeed it is the higher value cases that most need capping. When the level of costs in one case could build a school, or hospital or football stadium, then something must be done.
“Small businesses in particular feel almost totally excluded from the system due to the ridiculous level of costs. Urgent and drastic reform is essential.”
