U-turn on mesothelioma cases

Justice secretary Kenneth Clarke announced a U-turn on one element of the Jackson reforms as the Gazette went to press.  

On Tuesday, the justice secretary tabbed an amendment exempting mesothelioma cases from the no win, no fee reforms.  The government had come under pressure to make changes after the House of Lords twice voted for an exemption during debates on the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders (LASPO) bill.  

The amendment delays implementing the reforms for mesothelioma cases until a review has been carried out.  

The Jackson reforms, removing recoverability of success fees and ATE insurance from losing defendants, will remain for all other civil cases.  

The amendment case just days before LASPO was due to complete its parliamentary passage.  It returns to the Lords today.  

“Law Society Gazette” 26.4.12