Success Fees in UK Defamation Cases Reduced by 90%

UK Justice secretary Jack Straw has taken action to lower the maximum success fees that lawyers can charge in defamation cases from 100 per cent to 10 per cent. The current law allows lawyers to double their fees under conditional fee agreements by claiming a success fee of up to 100% on top of their usual fee, which is payable by the losing party. According to the Ministry of Justice press release, the statutory change – which has not yet passed through Parliament – is intended to prevent legal costs in defamation proceedings from spiraling out of control. Justice Secretary Jack Straw said: 'Reducing the success fees charged by lawyers in no-win, no-fee defamation cases will help level the playing field so that scientists, journalists and writers can continue to publish articles which are in the public interest without incurring such disproportionate legal bills. This is particularly important for ensuring open scientific exchange and protecting the future of our regional media, who have small budgets but play a large role in our democracy.' This change is intended as an interim measure while the government gives consideration to wider ranging reform.

Success Fees in UK Defamation Cases Reduced by 90% justice.gov.uk Thu, Mar 4, 2010