COST OF LITIGATION

Evening Star, Issue 21092, 3 May 1932, Page 7

COST OF LITIGATION

SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURE NEW RULES IN BRITAIN Ptmj Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, May 2. As a consequence of representations from the Chambers of Commerce and other business men Lord Sankey (Lord High Chancellor) has drawn up new rules designed to reduce the cost of litigation and simplify the bearing of law cases. Certain classes of cases are definitely excluded from f o new procedure, including libel, breach of promise, and cases in which the plaintiff alleges fraud, but the solicitor for the plaintiff will in future be entitled to ask that other classes of cases shall be tried according to the simplified procedure. The judge will then be able to transfer the case to the Assizes or the County Court, dispense with a jury, limit the number of expert witnesses, and curtail the number of documents placed before the court and all things that now tend greatlv to increase costs. The' judge will also be able to record the consent, of both parties, waiving the right of appeal. A memorandum points out that the now procedure offers great possibilities to suitors who are desirous of a speedy conclusion to a case, but it adds that no system can help those who are hostile to a settlement at a reasonable expenditure of time and money.