The Court of Appeal today confirmed that “general damages”, that is the compensation awarded for the injury part of a personal injury claim will increase by 10% for all cases settled after 1st April 2013.

The uplift on the injury compensation was a key element of Lord Justice Jackson’s recommendations for reform of the civil litigation system. But with the increase not included in government legislation to enact Jackson’s report, the judgment said it would be ‘a breach of faith’ for the judiciary not to ensure trial judges would apply it.

The uplift will apply to “general damages” for pain, suffering and loss of amenity in personal injury, nuisance, defamation and all other torts which cause suffering, inconvenience or distress to individuals.