Report comment

I hate to point out the obvious here, but wasn't Mr Jackson the recipient of rather large brief fees during his time conducting litigation prior to his reforms? It's very easy to impose a burgeoning lot of rules on others when you don't have to suffer the appalling consequences, and if I may so so, it's rather a case of do as I say, not as I do. I don't blame Mr Jackson for doing rather well in his days treading the boards - you get what you pay for. Sadly, with the money now gone, we're getting what we pay for - monkeys, not the organ grinders.

Next - the spiteful, because that's what they are, Mitchell type sanctions on the back of the Jackson reforms are sprouting up all over the shop causing much satellite litigation. Rather than saving money, cases are now being front loaded and cost more - or, sadly undersettled by kids who are either not qualified, or barely qualified.

Next we have the 'small claims' court - a hike from £500 to £10,000. Work that one out. Someone comes in (as they do) with an £8,000 - £10,000 civil dispute, and they are expected to recover £100 for their legal fees. £500 to £10,000?

...and what about the cuts in legal aid... and the ridiculous hike in court fees? Listing fees, allocation fees, issue fees in excess of £1,600 for larger cases, hearing fees... it goes on and on and on.

So, amongst the new rules, vile sanctions, and ongoing cuts, we also have to suffer the massive (because that's what they are) increase in court fees, and at the same time earn hugely less for the work we do? Really?

A little while ago we had "Access to Justice" reforms on the back of the abolition of legal aid which essentially meant no government funding, and nothing for the lawyers if they lose, apart from grief from their client, and a Spanish Inquisition from ATE funders who are quicker to row out of litigation than Matthew Pinsent and Steve Redgrave at the Olympics. You daren't tsake a case on if you think you may lose - where's the justice in that?

Unfortunately, at the back end of all of this is a battle worn army of litigators watching everyone else (medicals, ATE, HMCTS etc etc etc) continually feed from the trough of litigation at their own expense, while fees shrink at an alarming rate.

I have been involved in litigation for 30 years now, and the last 10-20 years have seen the family silver of the once admired centuries old justice system sold at a car boot sale.

...and the worst of this? Lots of you are too frightened to post what you really feel with your name attached, choosing to remain 'anonymous', potentially for fear of reprisals, concerned, as we all are at ever more increasing regulation.

When, please, will this all stop, and justice feature as the principal concern again?