Some potential claims against firms on The Accident Group (TAG) panel could be dropped following a cost-sharing order earlier this month.

Frank Maher, partner at Liverpool-based risk management specialist Legal Risk, who is acting for a number of TAG panel firms, said the costs implications of the order would focus the minds of claimants NIG and Winterthur on their good cases.


The next key stage in the litigation will be a hearing in January next year to assess whether privilege applies to the client files held by the panel firms.


Yorkshire-based Ashington Denton was the first firm to be named in the litigation, with the three-partner practice saying it would defend the case vigorously (see [2005] Gazette, 8 September, 4).


A group litigation order has been made and other firms are expected to be named shortly.


Mr Justice Aikens ruled in August that the case should continue in the Commercial Court, but with input on the personal injury elements from the Queen's Bench Division.