Press Release

LAWYERS "DELIGHTED" BY TODAY'S SMALL CLAIMS LIMIT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE LORD CHANCELLOR

20 April, 2007

Lawyers today applauded an announcement from the Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, that he would not raise the small claims court limit for personal injury claims.

Lord Falconer told delegates at the annual conference of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) that raising the limit "would be reform which does not have the consumer at its heart".

Incoming APIL president Martin Bare, said "we're delighted Lord Falconer has recognised that injured people are individuals and their unique needs are not to be treated in the same way as faulty goods."

Commenting on the publication today of the eagerly anticipated consultation on case track limits and the claims process for personal injury cases, Bare said:  "Lord Falconer is clearly concerned about the real vulnerability of injured people.

"Clearly there will be a huge amount of detail in the consultation which we will need to consider, but we hope the proposals will continue to reflect that concern for the needs of the most vulnerable people in our society.

"We will certainly be working very hard to try to ensure those needs are met."