Civil Liability Bill: Government Keeps Woolf From The Door

Proposed amendment from Lord Woolf to remove the introduction of a tariff system for whiplash injuries within the Civil Liability Bill defeated.

The former Lord Chief Justice, Lord Woolf, proposed an amendment removing the existing Clause 2 from the Bill, which effectively introduces the proposed tariff system regulated by the Lord Chancellor.

The proposed amendment was defeated 218 to 205.

Giving the close nature and split along party lines of the vote, combined with the critical nature of comments previously made by the Justice Committee about the overall package of small claims reform, this suggests that the Bill may not have a smooth progression through the House of Commons.