Ministry of Justice will implement a blueprint for fixed recoverable costs

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has confirmed that it will implement a blueprint for fixed recoverable costs (FRC) across the fast-track and in most money cases worth up to £100,000 in a bid to reduce the cost of litigation and create more certainty about what losing parties must pay.

It does not specify a date for implementation, saying only that it “will work with the Civil Procedure Rule Committee to ensure the smooth delivery of these reforms”.

All fast-track cases will be placed into four bands of complexity, band 1 being the least complex and band 4 the most, with the level of FRC depending on the stage the case has reached.

Cases will be banded like this:

• Band 1: the simplest claims that are just over the current fast track limit, where there is only one issue and the trial will likely take a day or less, e.g. debt claims.
• Band 2/3: along with band 3 will be the ‘normal’ band for intermediate cases, with the more complex claims going into band 3.
• Band 4: the most complex, with claims such as business disputes and employer’s liability disease claims where the trial is likely to last three days and there are serious issues of fact/law to be considered.

Suffering a dispute can have serious implications on you and your livelihood and reputation.  Our dispute resolution solicitors will quickly and efficiently put your case together and act on your behalf. Call Vijay Srivastava or Shalish Mehta in our civil and commercial litigation department on 0161 624 6811(Option 6) or email vjs@wrigleyclaydon.com or sm@wrigleyclaydon.com. We can advise you on the appropriate course of action and assist with any legal documents or proceedings that may occur.

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