BSC welcomes proposals to slash legal costs in personal injury claims

The long-awaited outcome of Lord Justice Jackson's review of civil litigation costs in England and Wales has been broadly welcomed by the British Safety Council. A number of recommendations, if implemented, could have a significant impact on the costs of litigation incurred by employers in defending personal injury claims, and hopefully help reduce the cost of employer liability insurance.

Other proposals, for example the banning of the payment of referral fees to claims farmers, could have an important part to play in providing public assurance that society has not gone compensation crazy.

Implementation of the review recommendations will mean that the majority of personal injury claims arising from work-related accidents or ill-health will be subject to fixed costs.