(Estimated reading time: 1 minute, 22 seconds)
This year’s conference was as well attended as ever, a fact reflected in the very busy two days we had on the Temple Legal Protection stand. Delegates commented to us they found the speakers extremely knowledgeable on their subject matter and struck a good balance between informative and entertaining.
On the topical issues clinical negligence litigators were generally optimistic but a concern for many attendees remains the forthcoming fixed fee cost reforms and proposed increase in the small claims limit. Whilst the reforms now seem inevitable the focus has now shifted onto maintaining access to justice for all claimants whilst being commercially realistic for solicitors and ATE insurance providers.
Disbursement funding was of interest to many solicitors that we spoke with. They are keen to provide their clients with suitable funding to be able to maximise the value of their claim. On that subject, popular with visitors to our stand was Temple’s new ‘funding wheel’ interest rate ready reckoner; it provided an instant illustration of interest payable on various disbursement funding loan amounts and time periods.
At the time of the conference Brexit was due at the end of the month with Boris Johnson’s ‘do or die’ pledge; all that needed to be clarified was whether we left with a deal or not. Some solicitors shared that they were starting to make plans for their cases involving EU nationals and accidents abroad which may be complicated by future developments. As is well known, this has now been delayed further…
Lastly, we were pleased to support the Rugby World Cup with our giveaway of a rugby ball and Welsh shirt to Nick O’Neill of JCP Solicitors, pictured above with Andy Lyalle.
