Tag Results

The government could face challenges under the Human Rights Act if it presses ahead with the Jackson reforms, a leading counsel’s opinion has warned. Nigel Pleming QC and Colin Thomann of 39 Essex Street said there are “real prospects” of a challenge because of the reforms’ impact on claimants with catastrophic injuries.

I don’t know if I’m one of the last people in the legal world to notice this, but the Ministry of Justice has made it quietly but abundantly clear that it will not be banning referral fees any time soon.

For legal aid and personal injury lawyers it’s not so much the hope that kills (because there isn’t much of that) but the uncertainty. Both are gearing up for the potentially radical changes in their practice areas brought about by the government’s green papers on legal aid reform/cuts and on implementing much of the Jackson report respectively. It is now a little over two weeks until the consultation period on both closes (on Valentine’s Day, no less) and lobbying activity is stepping up.

With January running out, it really is time to stop doing 2011 lists, so here is the last instalment of themes I expect to pervade Legal Futures’ coverage during this year. This time I look at legal services and the web, outsourcing in all its many guises, and the changing face of litigation practice.

Twelve law firms have so far joined claims management companies and legal expenses insurers in the campaign to oppose implementation of the Jackson reforms. The Access to Justice Action Group has already begun lobbying MPs, and also told the justice select committee that the impact of the reforms on solicitors could lead to monopoly suppliers of personal injury legal services. It has also emerged that some restrictions on personal injury advertising are in the offing.