Upholding rights


I am pleased that the small claims limit is not to be increased (see [2007] Gazette, 26 April, 1). I would hope that in the application of any reforms to the claims process, penalties will be introduced for defendants whose conduct is below par - most insurers have difficulty admitting liability in three months, let alone 14 days, as is proposed.



One concern I have is over the proposal to restrict after-the-event insurance to cases valued in excess of £2,500 and where quantum is likely to be disputed. This clearly puts claimants unfairly at risk by not affording them the opportunity to safeguard their position.



Whatever reforms are implemented, the overriding objective must be to ensure that claimants have full access to justice and that their rights are not swept to one side by insurers.



Lee Harris, Blake Lapthorn Tarlo Lyons, Fareham, Hampshire