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I'm a Defendant lawyer of 20 years experience. Having brought my own SCT action recently, I don't think the system is fit for purpose and it is way beyond the skills of many of the men in the street. First comes the way the claim has to be brought - it still has to be pleaded and argued. Directions have to be complied with. Deadlines met, court fees paid etc. It's easy for us, but the average 'consumer' will be perplexed by the myriad of forms, the Particulars of Claim, Claim form, having to file directions, and comply with court orders. I know because "my" claim was actually brought on behalf of my wife who is a bright woman who works in a professional job and she said she would really be struggling without me doing it for her. Whilst at court (I rarely get to court nowadays) I was speaking to other people there who were representing themselves (we had a two hour delay, there were dozens waiting- many involved in parking charge disputes), and many were very stressed (most of the self represented litigants seemed to be there defending actions brought against them) and slightly bemused at what they were supposed to be doing and a number started asking me for advice. Whilst the intention may be that persons who have a bit of a neck ache won't ever bother to bring a claim for this very reason, the concern has to be is what will happen to the people who have more serious injuries that could still fall into this 'minor' injury bracket at £5000- perhaps occupational back injuries or fractures to fingers which prevent them from working for a short while? What about the friend of mine who sustained concussion and a gash to his head when a piece of metal fell off a truck and hit him causing him to lose income? Would he be able to argue PUWER and everything else- no he wouldn't he is a truck driver.SO maybe £5000 is too high- it doesn't need to be that high and we cannot lose sight of access to justice.