(2) The allocation of different types of cases, normally determinable according to the amounts at stake in the disputes, to different sets of management rules;
(3) The encouragement of early settlements and resort to ADR procedures;
(4) A greater transparency of legal costs.
He thought that if it was possible all small disputes should be solved outside the court room, possibly using mediator to help the parties arguments get less messy, and fairer. This would also save money as a lawyer is not needed, and a mediator only charges on average £2,000.
One of the main changes that Lord Woolf made was the introduction of fast track and multi track cases. By sorting the cases into two categories he was able to split the important cases and the not so important cases, as the ones that are more complicated and hard to handle need a higher judge, more time spent on the etc.
Another achievement that came out Lord Woolfs report was that Judges became more involved in the cases, and this way they could drive them more, so that if somebody couldn’t afford adequate representation, or even any representation, could have a fair trial. Another criticism for Judges was that they were not updated enough with technology, and that was something which they need to be taught. His report led to less court congestion, and court cases were solved quicker on average. It also saved the courts money because of this, as less cases were taking place.
However, this case between Quickfix and Roughs should be dealt with in the High Court, as it is worth a lot of money amd the High Court deals was cases worth over £50,000, and there for it is seen as an important case in the eyes if the law. The Quickfix Company should go through the Civil Courts, and this case will go through the High Court, using the multy-track method. They should contact a solicitor, who will find you a good barrister so that you get the right representation you need. A circuit judge should be the one to solve the dispute. This is the method you should go through, and I wouldn’t recommend using a mediator for an expensive case such as this one. Judges have also been critisized for siding with middle class people over working class, and this was shown in the well educated language they would use in the court room. Lord Woolf believed that their language should be a lot simpler, so that even the most illiterate clients could understand, and then the settlement should be fairer.
If it wasn’t for Lord Woolfs Reforms the system could be very different in an appalling way. It could take more time to get to court and the case could cost you a lot more money for this unnecessary time.
The Woolf Report – Access to Justice – has helped the legal system become more well-organized, and even though not all of his reforms were used, the ones that were have helped make a great difference to how the legal system operates.
