Earlier this summer, we reported on the pilot of Jackson LJ’s “cost management” concept in Birmingham’s Technology and Construction Court (TCC) and Mercantile Court. The pilot is part of the major review of the civil litigation costs system being undertaken by Jackson LJ.
Guidelines on how the pilot will operate and a standard Excel template for the detailed budget supporting the costs estimates are now available.
The pilot aims to test whether judges can actively control costs throughout a case. It is hoped that the pilot will provide sufficient information to allow a meaningful decision on whether costs management can work. Feedback from the pilot will influence Jackson LJ when he his preparing his final report and recommendations, which will be published by 31 December 2009.
We have been informed that Jackson J’s report will be made publicly available on 14 January 2010.
We have been informed that Jackson J’s report will be made publicly available on 14 January 2010.
The Birmingham pilot has proved to be such a success that it is being rolled-out to all TCC and Mercantile Courts with effect from 1 October 2011: see Legal update, Costs pilot extended to TCC and Mercantile Courts from October 2011. If this extended pilot proves successful, it is likely that it will be rolled-out to all courts from October 2012.
The Birmingham pilot has proved to be such a success that it is being rolled-out to all TCC and Mercantile Courts with effect from 1 October 2011: see Legal update, Costs pilot extended to TCC and Mercantile Courts from October 2011. If this extended pilot proves successful, it is likely that it will be rolled-out to all courts from October 2012.
For more information, see also Claire McNamara’s blog, which explains that the new pilot is mandatory and sets out some of the differences from the Birmingham pilot.
For more information, see also Claire McNamara’s blog, which explains that the new pilot is mandatory and sets out some of the differences from the Birmingham pilot.
Practice Direction 51G, which governs the extended pilot, has been published.
Practice Direction 51G, which governs the extended pilot, has been published.