(This note is not part of the Rules)
New funding arrangements for legal proceedings became possible when sections 27, 29 and 30 of the Access to Justice Act 1999 were brought into force on 1st April 2000. These Rules amend the Civil Procedure Rules 1998 so as to regulate proceedings where the new funding arrangements apply, and to provide for the assessment of costs in such proceedings.
Rule 17 sets out a new procedure which may be followed when only the amount of costs is in dispute. Rule 34 sets out the procedure for the assessment of costs where the court has made a Group Litigation Order under Section III of Part 19 of the Civil Procedure Rules.
There are provisions consequential on the replacement of the Legal Aid Fund by the Community Legal Service Fund. The opportunity has also been taken to make a number of further amendments to the rules currently in force.