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05 August 2010 / Dominic Regan
Issue: 7429 / Categories: Opinion , Costs
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No turning back

Who would have thought that a government in office for just two months would make a move upon costs reform and the implementation of Jackson?

Dominic Regan predicts bitter battles ahead as Jackson reforms gain pace

Who would have thought that a government in office for just two months would make a move upon costs reform and the implementation of Jackson? The announcement was unequivocal. This autumn the government will consult upon the most radical of proposals, namely, the ending of the recoverability of success fees and additional liabilities. The government is committed to early reform. Primary legislation is required; there is already a commitment to find parliamentary time to achieve this end.

Measures that would be easier to implement like the introduction of fixed fast-track costs are mentioned in passing and seem to be regarded as less urgent. Referral fees, a topic which has generated enormous debate, may well, I understand, be left alone on the basis that if people want to

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Gateley Legal—Caroline Pope & Bob Maynard

Gateley Legal—Caroline Pope & Bob Maynard

Construction team bolstered by hire of senior consultant duo

Switalskis—four appointments

Switalskis—four appointments

Firm expands residential conveyancing team with quadruple appointment

mfg Solicitors—Claire Pope

mfg Solicitors—Claire Pope

Private client team welcomes senior associatein Worcester

NEWS
What safeguards apply when trust corporations are appointed as deputy by the Court of Protection? 
Disputing parties are expected to take part in alternative dispute resolution (ADR), where this is suitable for their case. At what point, however, does refusing to participate cross the threshold of ‘unreasonable’ and attract adverse costs consequences?
When it comes to free legal advice, demand massively outweighs supply. 'Millions of people are excluded from access to justice as they don’t have anywhere to turn for free advice—or don’t know that they can ask for help,' Bhavini Bhatt, development director at the Access to Justice Foundation, writes in this week's NLJ
When an ex-couple is deciding who gets what in the divorce or civil partnership dissolution, when is it appropriate for a third party to intervene? David Burrows, NLJ columnist and solicitor advocate, considers this thorny issue in this week’s NLJ
NLJ's latest Charities Appeals Supplement has been published in this week’s issue
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