Council challenges judge’s review

The Claims Standards Council has challenged Lord Justice Jackson’s review of civil litigation costs.

The move follows his address to the council’s annual conference in Manchester last week in which he said he had based his preliminary report on sources critical of the role played by claims management companies in litigation.

His recommendations included law firms being the sole promoters of personal injury services and the banning of referral fees.

Darren Worth, chairman of the council, said Lord Jackson had failed to understand the sector.

“If it was not for claims management companies many claimant solicitors would have no work and, more importantly, many claimants would be denied access to justice,” he said.

Lord Jackson’s final report is due to be published at the end of the December.