Monday 19 November 2012 by John Hyde

Personal injury lawyers have started a process that could lead to a Judicial Review into reforms planned for the Road Traffic Accident Portal next April.

The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers has issued a letter before action to the Ministry of Justice in relation to the extension of the RTA claims process.

The government wants to extend the portal's scope to include employer and public liability claims and claims with a value of up to £25,000 (up from £10,000). The changes are set to come into force from next April and intended to speed up the claims process.

In August, APIL instructed national firm Kingsley Napley to write to the MoJ outlining its concerns about the extension of the portal, the lack of consultation, and the manner in which fixed fees are being set.

The association was unhappy with the response, received on 31 October. A letter to APIL members claimed it had been 'unhelpful and brief'.

The MoJ has until 23 November to respond to the letter before action.

Earlier this month, Tim Wallis, the chairman of the portal company, which operates the scheme, said there were 'no guarantees' that the system would be ready for next April, although the intention is still to implement it by that time.