Costs Round-Up #39

Hi and welcome to another round up of legal costs news.

This #christmasjumper week brought with it some excellent articles on recent costs change including analysis, comment and opinion on the impact of the forthcoming rise in the small claims limit on personal injury firms by Rachel Rothwell writing in the Gazette.  Neil Hudgell Solicitors commented on the proposal to cap medical negligence costs suggesting this will only prevent patients from receiving the support and compensation they deserve.  Read more here. 

In “Passing the Baton”, Barrister Andrew Hogan tackled the thorny issue of assignment of CFA’s considered by some as a ticking time bomb for all those WIP cases brought out by new Solicitor firms in the rush to change in April 2013.  It is a very interesting concise read and for those wishing a more in-depth analysis Kerry Underwood has given a great amount of thought to this blog piece on his ever helpful website here.

In Various Claimants v McAlpine and others [2015] EWHC 3543 (QB) a costs budget decision in the high Court saw £11m slashed from the proposed spend of nine Claimant law firms involved in a construction industry group litigation claim.  Read more from Litigation futures here and further notes on whether a costs budget had been agreed here.

At John M Hayes, we will be working through to Christmas Eve and the offices will be closing at 1 pm. This will however be the last Costs Round-up from me until the New Year.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous, Happy 2016!

Until next time…