The Civil Liability Act 2018 and the increase in the small claims track limit

Despite a vigorous campaign by trade unions and their solicitors opposing government plans to increase the small claims limit for personal injury claims, the Civil Liability Bill received Royal Assent on 20 December 2018. The Civil Liability Act 2018 paves the way for regulations increasing the small claims limit from £1,000 to £5,000 for most road traffic accident (RTA) claims and £2,000 for all other personal injury claims. The increase is expected to come into force in April 2020, forcing more injured workers into the small claims court where they cannot recover the costs of legal representation from negligent employers. Unions have pledged to continue their fight to stop it.