The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) has criticised the new government for omitting from the Queen’s Speech a draft Bill that would have introduced reform to damages legislation.

The Law Gazette reports that the draft Civil Law Reform Bill had proposed changes to the law of damages for negligence. APIL had claimed that the bill was the ‘only sign’ in recent years that the issue of damages reform for negligence was ‘on the government’s radar’.

APIL president Muiris Lyons said:

‘The draft Civil Law Reform Bill had a lot of holes in it – but it was, at least, a starting point for long overdue reform to the damages system in England and Wales.’

Mr Lyons said it was ‘bitterly disappointing’ that nothing would now be done until at least November, when the next parliamentary session commences.

APIL has campaigned for the government to introduce the 1999 Law Commission recommendation which would have increased damages payouts by at least 50 per cent. The consultation for the draft Bill closed on 9 February – and although it did not contain a clause relating to increasing damages, it was thought to be a step forward.

However, the draft Bill was omitted from the Queen’s Speech last Tuesday (25/05/10).

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