Simple remedy set to end CFA lite

There was only one burning issue at last weekend's Civil Justice Council costs forum on simplifying conditional fee agreements (CFAs).

It was not, of course, how to simplify CFAs - the Master of the Rolls, Lord Phillips, sorted that out sharpish by announcing how he intended to do it and then challenging anyone to disagree.

The only sounds were forelocks being tugged and mutters of admiration at how wise Lord Phillips was.

It was not even where lawyers go to buy casual wear that was, in some cases, at the garish end of the spectrum.

No, the real debate was what to call the new CFA introduced in regulations last month, which is aimed at being more straightforward and not bothering clients with all those troublesome explanations about what this odd thing called a CFA is.

The lead Department for Constitutional Affairs official told delegates that it is 'CFA Simple'.

No, it should be 'CFA Lite', insisted Professor John Peysner, a man who knows more about the workings of the costs system than is surely healthy.

Prof Peysner understandably wants to make his mark on legal history by introducing his phrase into the everyday language of personal injury lawyers, and on balance it seems as though more are taking up his than the department's.

So what is the government going to do? Introduce new CFA regulations altogether and dispense with the need for CFA Lite.

Spoilsports.