MoJ to reconsider timing for extending RTA portal to EL/PL claims

The Ministry of Justice is reported to be reconsidering the implementation date for extending the road traffic accident claims process to employer’s liability and public liability claims, after a threat of judicial review proceedings.

The MoJ had also planned to raise the value of motor claims covered by the RTA Portal scheme. However, a judicial review process instigated by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and the Motor Accident Solicitors Society has forced a rethink about the implementation date of April.

A spokeswoman for the Ministry said: "Following a legal challenge the Justice Secretary is now considering afresh the timing for implementation of the extended scheme."

APIL President Karl Tonks welcomed the move. He said: “We have said from the outset that we do not object in principle to the introduction of changes which speed up and improve the civil justice system for the benefit of all parties.

“Our concern in this instance, however, is that proper consideration of key issues was being sacrificed in favour of an impractical ambition to introduce extensions to the RTA portal by next April. We look forward now to offering further input on what the implementation date may be.”

APIL said it was also considering its position “in terms of bringing proceedings on other related matters raised with the Secretary of State as part of its pre-judicial review process”.

Last month the Law Society called on the Justice Secretary to delay the introduction of proposed civil justice reforms, including the extension of the RTA portal, by six months.

In November the MoJ published proposed levels for fixed recoverable costs that will apply to employer’s liability and public liability claims when the scheme is extended. The Ministry said these proposals were unaffected by the decision to reconsider the timetable for implementation.