Despite the efforts of many in the Claimant lobby, the Civil
Liability Act was the headline act last year in the fight against
fraud. The Bill advances the
Government's reform package in respect of whiplash claims
following road traffic accidents, which is expected to be concluded
by
early 2020.
Star billing was given to a new definition of 'whiplash
injury' allowing for the introduction of a tariff system
for those injuries. The tariff system will significantly reduce
damages awarded for those injuries.
The supporting cast of the reform package includes the creation
of a new portal to handle expected increased numbers of
litigants-in-person and changes to the small claims track limits
for RTA personal injury claims to £5,000 and EL / PL claims
to £2,000. The change to the small claims track is expected
to result in the aforementioned increased numbers of
litigants-in-person, as solicitors no longer find it profitable to
handle these claims with only small
