§ 34. Mr. Andrew Dismore (Hendon)If he will make a statement on progress of the civil justice review and legal aid reforms. [37649]
§ The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (Mr. Geoffrey Hoon)Since I responded to a similar question from my hon. Friend on 17 March, there have been certain developments. First, the Lord Chancellor has proposed to the rule committee that the small claims general limit should be £5,000, with a limit of £1,000 for personal injury and housing disrepair cases. Secondly, we have announced a comprehensive review of the enforcement of civil court judgments. We are still receiving responses to our consultation paper on conditional fees and legal aid. The consultation period closes on 30 April this year.
§ Mr. DismoreThe recognition of the problems with certain sorts of personal injury work, particularly medical negligence, in the Minister's paper on conditional fees is welcome. However, there are many other difficult sorts of cases, such as industrial disease cases. In his further consideration of representations, will he bear that in mind in deciding what cases should qualify for the transitional fund?
§ Mr. HoonI am again grateful to my hon. Friend for his assistance. We have provided a wide range of 592 opportunities for those with an interest in these matters to make representations. We have met many firms and representative groups. We have commissioned research based on hypothetical exercises in which a wide range of lawyers took part. We are conducting a detailed analysis of the information that we have gathered and expect to make an announcement in due course.
§ Mr. John Burnett (Torridge and West Devon)Will the Minister say whether his Department is considering different merits tests for different categories of claim and when it will publish its views on the matter?
§ Mr. HoonWe are considering a variable merits test. We will proceed to consultation on that once a paper is published.