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17 March 2021 / Dominic Regan
Issue: 7925 / Categories: Opinion , Procedure & practice , Personal injury
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The insider: 19 March 2021

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Whiplash reform, class action claims & risky rule changes: Dominic Regan provides the inside scoop

Personal injury reform

In my last (which was also my first) column, I suggested that the personal injury small claims reforms might suffer a bump or two themselves (see NLJ, 12 February 2021, p6). While we now know that the whiplash reforms will come into effect on 31 May, it is gratifying to see that other injury claims are to be left alone after all. I know the Ministry of Justice says that further reforms are possible. The department might look at fixed costs for cases worth between £25,000 and £100,000. The Ministry promised to publish final proposals no later than 6 September 2019. It didn’t and hasn’t.

On employers’ liability cases, we saw the Association of British Insurers combine with Thompsons Solicitors to declare that neither side wanted change. There was no evidence of fraudulent claims and the respective lawyers got on very well.

Incidentally, it was Stephen Gold, legendary columnist

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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

NEWS
Serial sperm donor Robert Albon has lost his bid for a declaration of paternity, ‘on the ground that to grant it would manifestly be contrary to public policy’
The government is considering wholesale reform of consumer class actions—the ‘opt-out’ collective claims certified by the Competition Appeals Tribunal (CAT)
A ‘sophisticated suspected fraud’ may have taken place at PM Law involving the improper removal and misuse of about £39.5m of client funds, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has confirmed
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) will invest in technology to catch tech-reliant fraudsters and handle voluminous case materials
Law firms enjoyed rapid growth in 2025, according to a Financial Benchmarking Survey, published by the Law Society last week
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