BUDGETING -THE FIRST JUDGMENT

Look out this week for HENRY V NEWS GROUP INTERNATIONAL , a defamation case where some costs went well over the approved budget set 10 months before thev trial.What is a good reason for exceeding the budget ? The thoughts of the Senior Costs Judge will be appealed , i believe , whoever wins.

THE ACL CONFERENCE

I am just back from the Association of Costs Lawyers which was a staggering succcess.Judges, QCs and normal people too turned up in their hundreds and there wasn't a dull moment.Lord Neuberger MR gave a punchy talk and intimated that the hourly charging rate is doomed . Furthermore, if Jackson doesn't work the next step is to abolish costs between parties altogether.His warm up man was His Honour Judge Simon Brown QC who stunned the audience by conducting a costs management hearing before the masses. i heard so many pennies drop. Brilliant.
Michael Bacon , the Godfather of costs, was there to see his trainee win the award for highest marks in the exams (again ).
Dr Friston had the happy glow of a man who has just delivered the final text of his updated costs bible and Erica 'disco nap' Bedford explained to me her confusion over going on honeymoon to Vienna not Venice ; good job she is so clever to know that Vienetta is not a popular destination.
Iain Stark as chairman was hyper -active , ensuring that it all went to plan.
I had a long chat with the newly appointed Distict Judge McIlwaine , living proof that the MOJ can get something right. So thoughtful , so decent.

ROAD TRAFFIC CLAIMS

The MOJ is making noises about a big announcement coming this week on whiplash litigation . Might they increase the small claims limit here ?

PREPARING FOR JACKSON

The latest edition of 'The new law Journal' contains an invaluable guide to active case management and budgeting written by the man who has been doing it for an aeon, His Honour Judge Simon Brown QC. It is an essential read for every litigator who wants to survive next year.

LYON

I am just back and will be writing the city up for 'Counsel magazine'. Meanwhile , 3 random impressions.
At a shop dedicated to selling nothing but vacuum cleaners i saw the assistant sweeping the floor.
The most elegant , well dressed lady ran a shop selling knuckledusters, CS gas cannisters and Rambo knives.
French high speed trains are amazing and arrive early at their destination.

PART 36 SEMINAR IN-HOUSE

I have just completed an update of my commentary on this treacherous part of the CPR in preparation for a talk at a magic circle firm.Drop me a line if you might be interested in telling your C V D from your AB V CD and you are not sure about JOYCE or THEWLIS.

THE INVESTMENT OF THE YEAR

Forget ISAs , bonds and all that other muck. Buy postage stamps which will appreciate massively later this month. The nice lady at the Post Office in Bath slipped me some first class Bunty comic specials.