A government decision on the limit of the size of claims handled by the small-claims court will not be made until the autumn, justice minister Helen Grant revealed today.

Grant (pictured) said the Ministry of Justice’s response to a public consultation, which closed in March, is currently being considered.

A decision had been expected this summer but may have been put back until the House of Commons transport committee finishes its inquiry into whiplash claims.

Grant, speaking at today's Modern Law conference in London, conceded there was unrest and concern at ongoing government reforms to the personal injury sector.

'I do know what it is like to manage a regulated practice and I know what it's like to be an employer and continually adapt,' said Grant, who ran her own practice in Kent before becoming an MP.

'I remember it's not easy. The reforms have been dramatic and had to be dramatic.

'They will bring pain initially and uncertainty for a while, but with change comes tremendous opportunity and many of you are looking seriously at alternative business structure [options] to make the most of those opportunities.'

Grant said she would 'never forget' that the legal profession is a worthy profession that needs support.

But she stated that the government would ensure greater competition, transparency of costs and value for money for the consumer.

The MoJ has proposed raising the small-claims court threshold from £1,000 to £5,000, a change that has won support from the insurance industry but provoked criticism from claimant lawyers.