Sir Rupert Jackson, who was promoted this month to the Court of Appeal, is to head the Master of the Rolls’ fundamental review of the costs system, it will be announced this week.

The review, which was first revealed in the Gazette in June, will begin in January, with Lord Justice Jackson expected to report back to Master of the Rolls Sir Anthony Clarke by the end of 2009. He will be supported by a team of experts, although their names have not yet been released.

Wrangling behind the scenes has already seen the review’s timetable slip, as it was originally meant to begin this month and conclude by next July.

A professional negligence specialist while in practice, Jackson joined the High Court bench in 1999, and from 2004 to 2007 was judge in charge of the Technology and Construction Court.

The review will cover issues such as the cost-shifting rule, proportionality, fixed costs and contingency fees. It will be for the Ministry of Justice to accept or reject any recommendations made by Sir Anthony.