BREXIT and Whiplash - short reprieve?

Earlier today I was asked what impact the Brexit vote would have on my business. The obvious commercial issues came to mind such as a further downturn, another banking crisis, a hike in interest rates etc. But these are issues for all businesses as we get to grips with the earth shattering events of last week.

But what about the beleaguered Personal Injury sector?  What is the future for those us who pursue damages claims for victims of accidents, work related disease and medical negligence? We have seen enough ‘reforms’ in the last few years to last a lifetime.

In fact the Leave vote could provide a short period of respite.

It was in November last year that the Chancellor George Osborne announced plans to raise the small claims limit to £5k and to abolish the right to claim damages for Whiplash injuries –

http://thestevecornforthblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/osborne-small-claims-up-to-5k-and-no.html

This led to alarm across the sector. Hundreds of victims would be denied the right to recover legal costs in successful cases. Hundreds more would be deprived of any right to pursue a claim at all. Many law firms began to make plans for closure or to diversify. That was nearly 7 months ago and neither event has happened.

Mr Osborne himself is likely to have other things on his mind between now and the autumn. He has today delivered his first speech since the referendum. This was all about reassuring the markets. He talked about the need for a period of stability before  Article 50 is invoked. It is clear that no decision will be made before the Autumn of this year.  It is likely that David Cameron’s successor will call an early General Election early in 2017.

The general view seems to be that Osborne will not be Chancellor in any new government. Michael Gove is expected to have a major role in a future Tory line up. So we will then be looking for a new Justice Secretary. There is always the chance of a Labour win but that seems to a forlorn hope as they move into a period of civil war!

Now I’m not the most reliable predictor in the world. But all of this would seem to put any earth moving changes to PI work some way down the list of priorities. By the time we have had a leadership election, a  new cabinet and  Article 50 negotiations, I suspect that we will be well into 2017 before Osborne’s November 2015 pledges raise their heads – if at all.  

But we must not assume that any of this means that the threat will go away. We may have up to 12 months but the political pressure to appease the insurance industry will still be there. We must still plan and continue to campaign.

However it will give firms the opportunity to regroup and plan for what is still an uncertain future.