Former APIL president comments on Civil Liability Bill

A statement from the Motor Accident Solicitors Society (MASS) said today that the government plans to introduce whiplash reforms in April 2019. In response, former APIL president and senior partner of London law firm, Hodge Jones & Allen, Patrick Allen said:

“These reforms are misconceived and we will continue to oppose them at every stage. At the very least, the government should wait to see the report of the Justice Select Committee following its evidence gathering session in January.

“The reforms will put significant impediments in the way of claimants seeking justice for smaller personal injury claims and would appear to be caught by the Supreme Court’s statement in last July’s Unison case that, without unimpeded access to justice, the democratic process was in danger of becoming “a meaningless charade”.

“Therefore the government may struggle to persuade Parliament or the courts that the proposed reforms are lawful.”