Law Society joins British insurers in bid to recover costs

The Law Society and the Association of British Insurers have joined to sponsor negotiations on the recoverability of legal costs under the Access to Justice...The Law Society and the Association of British Insurers have joined to sponsor negotiations on the recoverability of legal costs under the Access to Justice Act 2000.Parties will firstly meet as interest groups then these groups will come together to ascertain areas of agreement with trained mediators; finally helped by a retired judge it is hoped a protocol will be bashed out.Fraser Whitehead, chairman of the Law Societys civil litigation committee, said: It is essential that we get the legislation working as the government intended giving people access to justice.Meanwhile, the defendant in Calery v Gray a case which will determine whether after-the-event insurance should be recoverable in cases settled pre-proceedings has been granted leave to appeal.

It is expected to be heard by August.Jeremy Fleming