Hello and welcome to this week’s round-up of legal costs related news.
Recovery of Costs
Barrister Gordon Exall writes on Engeham -v- London & Quadrant Housing Ltd & Academy of Plumbing Ltd (01/12/2015) in which the Court of Appeal agreed that a Claimant could recover costs against a Defendant that was not named in the Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).
Valuable Resource
Kerry Underwood has (finally) published an up to date alphabetical listing of his invaluable blog resource on legal costs. With links to every topic ranging from Children matters under the Jackson reforms to Part 36 offers and Proportionality, we recommend you book mark this helpful site – thanks Kerry!
Online Survey
Family lawyer group Resolution has launched an online survey to log experience of the Legal Aid Agency’s controversial Client and Costs Management System (CCMS) for feedback ahead of the compulsory roll-out scheduled for February 2016. Have your say… the survey can be found here.
Speaking of surveys, did you know that only one quarter of Britons believe our legal system is fair according to a new poll in the Guardian today? The poll was commissioned by Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors, Patrick Allen, senior partner at Hodge Jones & Allen, is quoted as saying:
“These statistics represent a damning indictment of the British justice system. If millions of people across the country are intimidated, alienated and confused by the prospect of seeking justice in 21st-century Britain then we should consider our legal system to have failed in its fundamental duty to provide justice for all.”
With the Law Society Gazette reporting Law Centres now levying fees to keep going, perhaps it’s time for a re-think?
Bottom of the news then, a report from Litigation Futures on the Claims management company fined £850,000 for more than 6 million calls to those with hearing loss, prospecting for claims. 6 million calls? There is a joke in there somewhere but we will leave it to others amongst us to make…
With seasonal signatures hitting our e-mail screens this month, we cordially invite you to check out our Facebook page for details of all the festivities at John M Hayes during December.
Until next week….
Kate Oliver is Chief Executive for John M Hayes. Working from the Leeds Office, Kate is leading the Company through a period of significant change in the legal sector. When not at work, Kate is a keen outdoor swimmer and mum to five (almost grown-up) children.