Boost for Jackson Costs Reforms

Proposals to make sweeping costs reforms in civil litigation received significant fresh impetus yesterday. The Government has announced that it intends to consult on implementing Lord Justice Jackson's recommendations on the reform of funding arrangements. The consultation in the autumn will look particularly at reform of Conditional Fee Agreements (CFAs) and whether the ban on lawyers entering into contingency fee agreements in litigation should be lifted. The announcement also appears to be a clear sign of the Government's concern about the expense of claims brought against public sector organisations.

In its ministerial statement the Government also announced progress in relation to other areas covered in Jackson's review, including the issue of referral fees, which is being considered by the Legal Services Board, and a Voluntary Code of Conduct for third party funders, on which the Civil Justice Council is consulting. The Government will also want to consider