The CJC is an Advisory Public Body which was established under the Civil Procedure Act 1997 with responsibility for overseeing and co-ordinating the modernisation of the civil justice system.
We meet at least three times a year to discuss and agree formal responses to consultation papers. We provide advice to the Lord Chancellor, the Judiciary and Civil Procedure Rule Committee on the effectiveness of aspects of the civil justice system, and make recommendations to test, review or conduct research into specific areas.
Latest News
15 June 2018
Member Vacancies – the closing date has been extended. The CJC are presently recruiting for the following members:
- Consumer Advice Member
- Lay Advice Member
- CILEx Member
- Academic Member
- Welsh Member
For more information on any of these vacancies and instructions on how to apply.
Closing date for applications has been extended to Friday 29th June 2018
15 June 2018
CJC response to the call for evidence: Commission on Justice in Wales
6 June 2018
CJC commissioned report on Assisted Digital and additional information
Commissioned by the CJC, Catrina Denvir and UCL’s Centre for Access to Justice have produced a research report to examine the Assisted Digital Service needs that may arise as a result of the digitisation of the Court and Tribunal services. The report is intended to inform Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals (HMCTS) and to provide greater insight into the digital capabilities of those users who are likely to come into contact with these systems.
26 February 2018
CJC response to the Ministry of Justice consultation on Default County Court Judgments
15 February 2018
Clinical Negligence Fixed Costs Working Group
Civil Justice Council Working Group
6 February 2018
CJC Consultation on ADR
A selection of submissions received from the CJC ADR consultation.
28 November 2017
CJC publish report on ‘Before The Event’ legal expenses insurance
An expert working group of the Civil Justice Council (CJC) has published a comprehensive report on Before The Event (BTE) legal expenses insurance.
17 October 2017
CJC invite submissions on the future role of ADR in Civil Justice
An expert working group of the Civil Justice Council (CJC) has published a comprehensive interim report on the existing role and potential future role of ADR (alternate dispute resolution) in civil justice in England and Wales.
The CJC is now seeking written submissions on the findings and recommendations of the report, ahead of organising a seminar at which the proposals can be discussed and a final report prepared and submitted to the Government for consideration.
16 October 2017
Appointments – the CJC is pleased to announce two appointments and two reappointments to the Council.
The new appointments are Jo Hickman, Director of the Public Law Project (joining as the new solicitor member) and Gareth Hughes (as the new business representative).
The reappointments are Andrew Parker and William Wood QC, who have new three year terms to continue making an important contribution to the work of the Council.
29 September 2017
Deputy Chair
Mr Justice Peter Coulson has been appointed as Deputy Chair of the CJC, in succession to Lord Justice Briggs (who has been appointed to the UK Supreme Court) with effect from 2nd October 2017. Mr Justice Coulson is the Deputy Head of Civil Justice-Designate, and takes on the role formally when he takes up his appointment to the Court of Appeal in March 2018.
18 September 2017
CJC response to the DCLG consultation on: Tackling Unfair Practices in the Leasehold Market
6 September 2017
Establishing fixed costs and better procedures for noise claims: Final report of the CJC working party published. A working group of the Civil Justice Council (CJC) has published a report making recommendations for fixed recoverable costs and improvements to claims management in noise-induced hearing loss cases.
24 February 2017
The CJC has set up a Civil Litigation Review Working Group, Before the Event Insurance (BTE), chaired by Prof. Rachael Mulheron. BTE Working Group membership.
27 January 2017
Summary of the CJC’s Fifth National Forum on Access to Justice for Litigants in Person, 2 December 2016.
9 January 2017
The closing date for all applications for the Business and Solicitor Member competition has been extended to midday Friday 20 January 2017
6 January 2017
CJC response to MoJ consultation paper: Reforming the Soft Tissue Injury (‘Whiplash’) Claims Process
7 December 2016
CJC response to BEIS consultation – Small Business Commissioner : Policy for Secondary Legislation
6 December 2016
Note of CJC workshop held on 7 July 2016 regarding Extending the Small Claims Court Limited for PI Claims
5 December 2016
Appointments – the CJC is pleased to announce the appointments of Diane Astin and Ian Karet for 3 years and the reappointment of Matthew Smerdon for a further 3 year term.
24 November 2016
The Council is currently seeking to recruit 1 Business Member and 1 Solicitor Member
Closing date for all applications is 6th January 2017
10 November 2016
CJC response to MoJ consultation paper: Transforming our Justice System
12 September 2016
CJC Response to MOJ Consultation – Reform of judicial Review: Request for further views on the provision of financial information to other parties
1 August 2016
Today, the Civil Justice Council has published a report on concurrent expert evidence and hot-tubbing, and its use in English litigation. The report was produced by a working group under the chairmanship of Professor Rachael Mulheron, and with Maura McIntosh as deputy chair.
15 July 2016
Appointments – the CJC is pleased to announce the appointments of Orlando Fraser QC as a barrister member, Nicola Critchley as an insurance member and Kay Carberry CBE as a employee Interest member.
30 June 2016
CJC Report: The Scope of Qualified One-way Costs Shifting – further issues for consideration
15 June 2016
Appointment – the CJC is pleased to announce the appointment of HH Judge Barry Cotter as the Circuit Judge member of the Council. HHJ Cotter is the Designated Civil Judge for Devon and Cornwall.
15 June 2016
CJC response: Reforming the Courts’ Approach to McKenzie Friends
31 May 2016
CJC response to Defendants Duty of Candour and Disclosure in Judicial Review Proceedings
25 May 2016
Note of points raised in discussion on Fixed Recoverable Costs
The CJC held a small workshop in March 2016 for practitioners drawn from a range of civil justice bodies and users to discuss the possible extension of fixed recoverable costs (FRC). This was arranged in the light of increased Government interest in the topic and a lecture by Lord Justice Jackson in January 2016. The purpose of the workshop was to highlight and discuss some of the practical issues which would need to be addressed in developing a broader based FRC regime. Discussion included examining the approach to be taken to the structure of the system and safeguards that should be provided for. The CJC stands ready to assist the government on any future developments on this topic.
18 May 2016
Final Interim Report of the CJC Working Group on Property Disputes in the Courts and Tribunals dated May 2016.
The report makes a series of recommendations for the use of flexible judicial deployment in certain categories of property case with the aim of being able to hear and make a decision on a set of facts leading to a particular claim together, without different parts of that claim having to be heard separately and a different times by the county court and the First-tier Tribunal. Members of the Working Group are available here.
9 May 2016
CJC Diversity Plan
4 May 2016
New CJC working group: Civil Litigation Review Working Group
A new CJC working group has been set up to consider and review a series of discrete topics relating to civil litigation.
7 April 2016
CJC response to consultation on proposals to reform fees for grants of probate
7 April 2016
CJC ODR Advisory Group response to Lord Justice Briggs Report
On behalf of the Online Dispute Resolution Advisory Group of the Civil Justice Council.
29 March 2016
CJC response to the Interim Report for the Civil Courts Structure Review (CCSR).
11 February 2016
The Council is currently seeking to recruit up to five new members:
• A barrister member;
• A member able to represent the interests of employees;
• A member able to represent the views of the insurance industry;
• Two members able to offer experience and expertise in another field of civil justice
Closing date for all applications is 11th April 2016.
22 January 2016
CJC response to the further Civil Procedure Rule Committee consultation on a Pre Action Protocol for Debt Claims.
13 January 2016
The Civil Justice Council is pleased to announce that The Hon Mr Justice Robin Knowles CBE has been appointed as a CJC member for a three year term from 4th January 2016 as the High Court Judge member of the Civil Justice Council.
18 December 2015
Summary of Fourth CJC’s National Forum on Access to Justice for Litigants in Person held on 4th December 2015
17 December 2015
CJC response to MoJ consultation paper: Costs protection in Environmental cases
13 November 2015
The Civil Justice Council Annual Report 2014 – 2015 is now available.
19 October 2015
CJC Response to consultation on proposals on the provision of court and tribunal estate in England and Wales
25 September 2015
The CJC has set up a new working group to make recommendations to the Government on how the handling of claims for noise-induced hearing loss might be improved, including how a fixed costs regime for those cases might work.
22 September 2015
CJC Response to Ministry of Justice Consultation: Consultation on further fee proposals
22 September 2015
CJC Response to Ministry of Justice Consultation: Reform of judicial Review: Proposals for the provision and use of financial information.
2 September 2015
CJC response to the BIS consultation Enterprise Bill – A Small Business Commissioner
2 September 2015
The Civil Justice Council (CJC) has today published a report on Damages-Based Agreements (DBAs). The Damages-Based Agreements Reform Project: Drafting and Policy Issues sets out a number of recommendations designed to make the statutory regime relating to DBAs simpler and clearer, in order to assist lawyers and their clients who are considering the use of that method of funding.
22 June 2015
The Civil Justice Council (CJC) has set up a working group on property disputes chaired by Siobhan McGrath, President of the Property Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal to explore further specific areas where the deployment of judges between the county court and tribunals would enable the proportionate resolution of disputes and the better use of judicial and administrative resources.
14 May 2015
CJC Response to HM Treasury: Insurance Fraud Taskforce: Interim Report
2 March 2015
CJC Response to Ministry of Justice Consultation: Further Reforms to Court Fees
17 February 2015
The Civil Justice Council is looking to fill three posts, a barrister member, a member able to represent the interests of employees – possibly from a trade union and a member able to offer experience and expertise in a particular area of civil justice – e.g. housing law. Closing date for these posts is noon 13 April 2015. Application via the Cabinet Office website.
16 February 2015
Online Dispute Resolution for Low Value Civil Claims
16 January 2015
CJC response to Court fees: Proposals for reform – Part 2
12 December 2014
The CJC has published the membership of its new working group on Damages based agreements.
1 December 2014
Summary of Third CJC’s National Forum on Access to Justice for Litigants in Person held on 21 November 2014
20 November 2014
Guidance for the instruction of experts in civil claims 2014
This guidance came into effect on 1 December 2014, and replaced the former Protocol for the instruction of experts to give evidence in civil claims, which was removed from Practice Direction 35 of the Civil Procedure Rules with effect from that date.
10 November 2014
Civil Justice Council News Release: CJC to look at Damages Based Agreements revisions
2 October 2014
CJC response to the CPRC consultation on a Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims
2 October 2014
CJC response to MOJ consultation on Independence in medical reporting and expert accreditation
25 July 2014
The Civil Justice Council is pleased to announce that Andrew Parker has been appointed as a CJC member for a three year term starting on 31st July 2014 as the Solicitor Member of the Civil Justice Council.
23 June 2014
New working group – impact of Jackson reforms
19 June 2014
The Civil Justice Council is pleased to announce that William Wood has been appointed as a CJC member for a three year term starting on 1st July 2014 as the Alternative Dispute Resolution Provider Member of the Civil Justice Council.
2 June 2014
Costs Committee: Guideline Hourly Rates
14 May 2014
Impact of the ‘Jackson’ reforms – update
The CJC is please to publish Professor John Peysner’s report ‘Impact of the Jackson reforms: Some Emerging Themes‘, produced as part of the preparation for the event in March 2014 and finalised in the light of discussion at that event.
The CJC’s conference on the impact of the Jackson reforms as the first anniversary of their implementation approaches took place on Friday, 21 March 2014. The Council wishes to thank all of the excellent speakers, as well as the 120 delegates and those who submitted papers in advance – almost 70 papers were received in total.
The Lord Justice Jackson’s paper for the CJC conference 21 March 2014 and the submissions will be published in the coming days. The immediate next steps will be for the CJC to reflect on the event, draw up a list of follow-up activities and discuss Professor Peysner’s final report at its next meeting on 1 May 2014, with a view to its publication very shortly afterwards.
25 April 2014
The Civil Justice Council (CJC) has set up a new advisory group, chaired by Professor Richard Susskind OBE, to explore the role that Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) can play in resolving civil disputes.
17 February 2014
The Civil Justice Council is looking to fill two posts, a Solicitor and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Provider by 1st May 2014. Closing date for these posts is 5th March 2014
13 February 2014
The CJC is inviting written papers on the impact on the civil justice system of the ‘Jackson reforms’ on costs and case management by 7 March 2014
11 February 2014
The Civil Justice Council (CJC) has welcomed the recent initiative of the Association of Litigation Funders (ALF) to revise and update its Code of Conduct for Litigation Funders.
Two aspects of the revisions to the Code have particular importance. The capital adequacy obligations placed upon funder members have been notably strengthened, while a new and detailed complaints procedure by which each funder member will agree to be bound has also been developed by the ALF.
The CJC wishes the ALF success in its continued efforts to progress and achieve a successful and robust regime of self-regulation for Litigation Funding in England and Wales.
5 February 2014
24 January 2014
The Civil Justice Council is pleased to announce that Martin Saunders has been appointed as a CJC member for a three year term starting on 1st January 2014 as the insurance industry member.
2 December 2013
Extension to deadline for Costs Survey for New Guideline Hourly Rates is now Thursday 12th December 2013
8 November 2013
CJC Costs Committee – Call for evidence (Guideline Hourly Rates)
6 November 2013
CJC response to MoJ consultation – Judicial Review – proposals for further reform
6 November 2013
CJC Costs Committee Guideline Hourly Rates Survey 2013
5 November 2013
A triennial review of the Civil Justice Council was launched on 4 November 2013, along with a consultation on the functions of the Council and the way in which those functions are best delivered.
1 November 2013
- CJC response to MOJ consultation on Costs Protection in Defamation and Privacy Claims
- CJC response to MOJ consultation paper on Reforming Mesothelioma Claims
4 October 2013
Synopsis of third Costs Committee meeting held on 25th July 2013
24 September 2013
The Civil Justice Council is looking to fill a post by 30th January 2014 from the insurance industry with at least 10 years experience of working in a senior practitioner role in the industry. Closing date for this post is 15th October 2013
11 September 2013
The Civil Justice Council are pleased to announce that the following three members have been appointed as CJC members for a three year term starting on 1st October 2013, they are : Matthew Smerdon as the lay representative, Elizabeth Silver as the business representative and John Spencer as the solicitor member.
19 June 2013
Synopsis of second Costs Committee meeting held on 6 June 2013
10 June 2013
CJC response to MOJ consultation on Transforming Legal Aid
24 May 2013
The Civil Justice Council is looking to fill three posts by 24th October 2013, one is a solicitor , one is from the business community , and one lay person with a proven track record and interest in the major issues affecting the civil justice system, such as legal aid, enforcement, costs reforms or housing. Closing date for these posts is: noon on Thursday 13 June 2013.
21 May 2013
CJC response to MOJ consultation paper on Fee Remissions for the Courts and Tribunals
14 May 2013
Response
24 April 2013
The Costs Committee met for the first time on 16 April.
18 April 2013
The Civil Justice Council today publishes its report on the case and options for costs protection in defamation and privacy proceedings. A news release has also been prepared.
The Working Group, which included defamation and costs specialists from a range of interests, was set up in response to a request by Justice Minister Lord McNally to explore the issue ahead of the measures in the Defamation Bill coming into effect.
27 March 2013
The Civil Justice Council has recently published A Guide to Bringing and Defending a Small Claim. The Guide is aimed at litigants in person and works through the process for bringing and defending a small claim. The guide was recommended by a CJC Working Party chaired by Robin Knowles CBE QC, and the report prepared with the particular help of Joanna Otterburn, DJs William Jackson and Margaret Langley and former DJ Gordon Ashton.
8 March 2013
The CJC responded to the Government’s consultation on arrangements concerning whiplash injuries in England and Wales. – The response
26 February 2013
Costs Committee
The CJC is currently drawing together the new Costs Committee membership, which has assumed responsibility for advising the Master of the Rolls on the setting of guideline hourly rates.
29 January 2013
CJC response to the Government’s consultation in relation to the extension of the RTA PI scheme and proposals on fixed recoverable costs
22 January 2013
On 30 November 2012, the Civil Justice Council held a National Forum for Implementation of the Report on Access to Justice for Self- Represented Litigants. Over 100 delegates – from across England and Wales and representing a variety of sectors – attended the event in London , which was chaired by Robin Knowles CBE, QC.
14 December 2012
We are pleased to announce the appointments of Rebecca Scott and Christopher Warner as the lay advice sector and consumer affairs representatives (respectively) on the Civil Justice Council for three year terms starting on 1st January 2013.
13 December 2012
The Government has asked the CJC to look in detail at the issue of costs in defamation proceedings, and to report by the end of March 2013. A working group has been formed, chaired by CJC member John Pickering.
31 October 2012
CJC response to MoJ regarding Part 2 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing & Punishment of Offenders (LASPO) Act 2012: Regulations
31 October 2012
Transfer of function to the CJC from the Advisory Committee on Civil Costs
The Government has today issued a Written Ministerial Statement regarding a transfer of an additional function to the CJC in January 2013. The Guideline Hourly Rates (GHR) for solicitors in legal proceedings are set by the Master of the Rolls. The Advisory Committee on Civil Costs (ACCC) was established in 2007 by the Ministry of Justice to provide advice on this and other issues (12 Sep 2007: Col 124WS). I am grateful for the work which the ACCC has carried out since its inception. However, I have decided that the ACCC’s remaining function of advising on the GHR should be transferred to the Civil Justice Council (CJC) from January 2013. I envisage that a sub-committee of the CJC would be established to deal with this issue. The ACCC will be disbanded forthwith, which will reduce the number of advisory bodies. This proposal does not go so far as Sir Rupert Jackson’s recommendation for a Costs Council as the new sub-committee’s standing role will be limited to a review of the GHR; other fixed costs will remain for the Lord Chancellor to consider in the first instance. However, there may be other costs issues on which the Lord Chancellor and Judiciary would welcome advice from the new sub-committee from time to time. I will liaise with the Master of the Rolls, who chairs the CJC, concerning the membership, terms of reference and work to be undertaken by the CJC within the scope of its statutory role of keeping the civil justice system under review.
19 September 2012
His Honour Judge David Grant and District Judge William Jackson were appointed on the 6th September 2012 to the Civil Justice Council for a three year term
29 August 2012
New Chairman from 1st October 2012
Lord Dyson has been appointed as the new Master of the Rolls with effect from 1st October 2012, and automatically becomes Chairman of the Civil Justice Council from the same date. He replaces Lord Neuberger, whio has been appointed as the new President of the UK Supreme Court from 1st October 2012.
2 August 2012
CJC Civil Justice Council’s report on Contingency fees / Damages Based Agreements
Mr Justice Foskett was appointed on 18th July 2012 to the Civil Justice Council for a three year term
26 July 2012
CJC publishes revised guidance on the use of experts witnesses
18 July 2012
Advert to appoint one Lay Advice Sector Practitioner and one Consumer Affairs Expert to the Civil Justice Council
10 July 2012
Civil Justice Council’s report on QOCS (Qualified One Way Costs Shifting)
18 June 2012
BusinessPlan201213finalversion.pdf
24 May 2012
Commissioning note – LASPO Bill This note from the Ministry of Justice formed part of a written Ministerial Statement made on 24th May 2012, and commissions advice from the CJC on qualified one way costs shifting in the light of reforms introduced in the Legal Aid, Sentencing & Punishment of Offenders Act 2012. A CJC working group will be set up to address this urgently.
May 2012
Craig Budsworth was appointed on 16th April 2012 to the Civil Justice Council for a three year term
16 April 2012
News release: Contingency Fees
7 February 2012
CJC response to MOJ Consultation – Fees in the High Court and Court of Appeal Civil Division CP15/2011
15 December 2011
CJC Publish outcome of Technical Aspects of Jackson Implementation Experts Workshop on 31st October 2011
23 November 2011
CJC Publish Code of Conduct for Litigation Funders
1 November 2011
CJC Publish Report on Access to Justice for Litigants in Person (or self represented litigants)
31 October 2011
News Release: Experts Discuss Civil Costs