Why it pays to be flexible

• Shorter Trials Scheme and its key provisions.
• Flexible Trials Scheme and its key provisions.
• Expert evidence.
• Consequences for experts.

In October 2015 the Ministry of Justice launched two schemes seeking to lessen the time and expense that trials exert on its over-stretched budget. Since then, the Shorter Trials Scheme (STS) and the Flexible Trials Scheme (FTS) have been running as pilots at the Rolls Building, London and are to continue until the end of September 2017. (If you’re used to dilapidated court buildings out in the sticks, the virtual tour of the Rolls Building at https://www.judiciary.gov.uk may be an eye opener).

The aims of the FTS and the STS are set down in paras 2 and 4 of the Shorter and Flexible Trial Procedure Guide. It states that these are: “...to achieve shorter and earlier trials for business related litigation, at a reasonable and proportionate cost. The procedures should also help