Review of Civil Litigation Costs : preliminary report

In January 2009, the then Master of the Rolls, Sir Anthony Clarke, appointed Lord Justice Jackson to lead a fundamental review of the rules and principles governing the costs of civil litigation and to make recommendations in order to promote access to justice at proportionate costs.

Sir Rupert's preliminary report, published in May 2009, is the product of fact-finding, research and investigations over a four-month period and serves to establish: how present costs rules operate and how they impact on the behavior of both parties and lawyers; the effect case management procedures have on costs and whether changes in process could bring about more proportionate costs; and, a comparison for the costs regime for England and Wales with those operating in other jurisdictions.

The preliminary report is supplied in two print volumes and a CD-ROM, which contains 30 appendices.