Reforms to the law surrounding whiplash claims have been delayed by the Ministry of Justice as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Originally due to be implemented this August, the reforms have now been postponed until April 2021.
The forthcoming reforms include an increase in the small claims limit for road traffic accident personal injury claims to £5,000, the introduction of a fixed damages tariff for pain, suffering and loss of amenity for whiplash injuries, and a ban on making or accepting offers to settle a whiplash claim without a medical report.
Commenting on the delay, Robert Buckland, the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, said, "It is apparent that the current COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the medical, legal and insurance sectors. While the whiplash reform measures remain important, the Government is committed to acting to ease the disruption and pressures caused by the COVID-19 outbreak where it can."
Mr Buckland stressed that the government remained 'firmly committed' to the reforms.