Ministry of Justice (MoJ)
Minster Law reports 230% uptick in alternative dispute resolution
The motor claims insurance industry should become more proactive with using alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to cut costs and court waiting times, says Minster Law’s chief commercial officer Paul Taylor as the law firm reports a 230% year-on-year increase of ADR cases.
Scope of mandatory mediation will ‘inevitably’ expand
Ian Davies, head of liability at Kennedys, has told Insurance Post the scope of mandatory mediation in insurance litigation will eventually have to expand to reduce court backlogs.
Q&A: Shirley Woolham, Minster Law
Shirley Woolham, CEO of Minster Law, speaks to Insurance Post about the firm's return to profitability, its investment strategy, and her opinions on the Whiplash reforms.
JCG uplift of 22% could mean small track claims limit is increased
The incoming uplift for personal injury claims recommended in the Judicial College Guidelines might need to see an upheaval in limits applied to the Official Injury Claims portal.
Foil’s Allchorne on what’s next for the PI discount rate
Trade Voice: Pete Allchorne, president of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers and partner at DAC Beachcroft, explores the potential ramifications of this year’s personal injury discount rate review.
Will MoJ plans for medical reports fix the claims portal?
Tom Luckham unpicks the Ministry of Justice’s proposals to change medical reporting requirements for road traffic accidents and examines the impact it could have on motor insurance claims.
MPs call for OIC case backlog investigation
In a report published today, the Justice Committee has urged the Ministry of Justice to investigate the case backlog within the Official Injury Claim portal.
PI discount rate consultation closes ahead of 2024 review
The Ministry of Justice’s consultation into establishing a dual/multiple PI discount rate closed yesterday, with the final decision to be made in July 2024.
Apil issues proceedings challenging imminent PI reforms
The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers has issued judicial review proceedings against the Ministry of Justice regarding imminent personal injury claim reforms.
Trade Voice: Mass’s Sue Brown on what’s holding back the digitisation of claims
Sue Brown, chair of the Motor Accident Solicitors Society, outlines what needs to change in order to make dreams of a digitised civil justice system a reality.
Is it time to overhaul the personal injury discount rate?
Ahead of the consultation on changes being made to the single personal injury discount rate closing on 11 April, Insurance Post explores what dual or multiple rate models could mean for claimants.
Justice minister refuses to commit to regular fixed recoverable costs reviews
Justice minister Lord Bellamy has refused to commit to regularly updating new or existing fixed recoverable costs (FRCs) for inflation, but confirmed an extension to FRC will be going ahead in October.
Trade Voice: Mass’s Sue Brown on why the OIC portal has been a resounding failure
Sue Brown, chair of the Motor Accident Solicitors Society, argues that the criteria by which the success of the Official Injury Claims portal has been judged have continually shifted and takes aim at what she sees as the MoJ’s latest excuse.
Justice Committee launches inquiry into impact of whiplash reforms
The Justice Committee has today launched an inquiry into how whiplash injuries resulting from road traffic accidents are processed following reforms to the legal framework introduced in 2021.
Government launches consultation on dual/multiple discount rate
The Ministry of Justice has launched a consultation on how dual or multiple personal injury discount rate might work, and what its effects on claimants and defendants might be.
Fixed recoverable costs regime extension delayed
Fixed recoverable costs will not be extended until October next year in move welcomed by legal sector.
Data analysis: PI market continues to contract following whiplash reforms
Personal injury law firms are exiting the market at an alarming rate following whiplash reforms.
Analysis: Could PI receive clearer guidance on mixed injuries before year-end?
While there are no official test cases to provide guidance on handling mixed injury claims, defendant and claimant lawyers could see some much-needed clarity before the end of the year as two claims are leapfrogged to Court of Appeal.
Unrepresented claimants continue to sit below 10% according to OIC
The fifth tranche of data from Official Injury Claim portal shows that unrepresented claimants still make up less than 10% of its users, while the time taken to settle claims increases yet again.
Mass renews call for early review into OIC tariff
The Motor Accident Solicitors Society has renewed its call for an early review of the tariff of damages for low-value road traffic accidents, as recommended by the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales.
Concerns grow for unrepresented claimants as trends appear in OIC figures
The fourth set of figures from the Official Injury Claims portal shows that the number of unrepresented claimants still make less than 10% of those using the portal, with the claimant sector concerned about ability of accident victims to get support they…