Jackson LJ's Costs Reform Bill Receives Royal Assent

The Bill making CFA success fees and ATE premiums irrecoverable from an opponent, permitting contingency fees and increasing sanctions in Part 36 offers finally received Royal Assent on 1 May 2012, despite a tumultuous trip through the Parliamentary process.  The Act will now come into force in stages over the next year, with full implementation expected by April 2013.

Background

The Final Report of Lord Justice Jackson's Review of Civil Litigation Costs was published in January 2010.  His key reforms included a radical overhaul of the current "no win / no fee" regime and the introduction of "Damages-Based Agreements" (DBAs), better know as contingency fees, as a method of funding litigation.  For further details on Jackson LJ's recommendations, please click here to view our previous Law-Now.