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Government Plans To Reduce Litigation Costs

By Angela Smith

Republish: EasyPublish™
Published: 12Mar2012
Word count: 421
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The limit on small claims in the county court is to increase from £5,000 to £10,000 as part of government measures to speed up civil litigation and reduce legal costs. Justice secretary Kenneth Clarke has announced plans to restructure the small claims mediation process that can be carried out over the telephone.

Subject to further evaluation, the limit on small claims may also be raised further to £15,000. A single county court system will be introduced and all claims will be handled electronically at centralised business centres, then allocated across neighbouring courts according to demand.

The Ministry of Justice also wants to free up the High Court to deal only with complex cases.

The level below which non-personal injury claims cannot be heard in the High Court will be raised from £25,000 to £100,000. The Ministry of Justice has also confirmed the extension of the web-based portal scheme that currently exists for low value road traffic accident claims with a value of up to £10,000.00. The intention is to broaden the portal to include employer and public liability personal injury cases and increase the number of road traffic accident cases worth up to £25,000.

Clarke said: 'Without effective civil justice, businesses couldn't trade, individuals couldn't enforce their rights, and government couldn't fulfil its duties. 'But individuals and businesses tell me that the civil justice system at the moment can sometimes be intimidating and that they don't know if using the system will be worth the time, expense and hassle of going to court. 'I want to make the system as easy and transparent as possible. I want people to be able to resolve their disputes cheaply and simply through the courts' very successful mediation service, and I want judges freed up to make quick and effective judgments based on the facts of a case, without unnecessary legal complication. 'These changes will produce a service that helps people to resolve their disputes effectively and in the simplest and quickest way possible so they can get on with their lives and businesses.'

The reforms are in response to the Government's consultation on solving disputes in the county courts which had originally been due out in October last year.

The Government plans will undoubtedly stoke criticism from law firms who will argue that driving down legal costs will result in an increased number of claims being handled by unqualified staff leaving the consumer exposed to reduced levels of service.

Angela Smith has helped many individuals claim compensation for injury victims of road traffic accidents. For honest advice and access to qualified solicitors contact http://www.motorclaimsexperts.co.uk and grab your free report to reveal the 7 mistakes people make when making a claim!

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