Latest news

Whiplash claims

New rules came into force on 31/05/21 affecting whiplash claims made following road traffic accidents which occurred on or before 31/05/21. These affect car, van, wagon and bus drivers and their passengers. Certain categories of claimant are not caught by the new rules. See our Personal Injury claims page for further details. The new rules make three big changes to whiplash injury claims.

Firstly, a new on-line claims portal is in place to deal with the claims process. This can be used by claimants themselves or their legal representatives. It applies to whiplash injury claims with a value of £5,000 or less.

Secondly, claimants can no longer obtain a contribution towards their legal fees from the party at fault if their claim is successful. If they use a solicitor they must pay for the legal fees themselves. This applies to whiplash claims with a value of £5,000 or less.

Thirdly, fixed compensation sums (known as tariffs) have been introduced for whiplash claims where injuries last for less than 2 years. These range from £240 (for injuries lasting up to 3 months) to £4,345 (for injuries lasting up to 2 years).

Landlord and tenants

Residential landlord and tenants

The restrictions on tenant evictions and serving eviction notices introduced earlier in the pandemic have now been lifted. Notice periods for section 8 and 21 notices have returned to pre-pandemic timescales.

Commercial landlords and tenants

The Covid-19 pandemic restrictions have now ended. From 25/03/22 Forfeiture of leases for non-payment of rent and Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery (CRAR) are no longer prohibited. 

COMMERCIAL RENT (CORONAVIRUS) ACT (2022)

This Act is now in force.  It applies to business tenancies and leases.

The Act applies to “protected rents” being those accruing between 21/03/20 and 18/07/21 for businesses that were ordered to close by the Government during the pandemic.

A new Arbitration process will now deal with disputes over protected rents. Subject to a few exceptions, it is mandatory to follow the arbitration process in disputes where landlords and tenants cannot reach an agreement between themselves. Other legal routes currently available to landlords are disallowed unless and until the arbitration process has been followed.