The 15th edition of the Judicial College Guidelines for the assessment of damages in personal injury cases was published on the 26th November 2019, more than two years after the previous edition.

The Guidelines acknowledge that during the last two years there have been few reported decisions on quantum for the editorial team to review. The new figures generally show an upward trend and by way of example we set out a comparison of the figures in the 14th and 15th Editions in three areas.

14th Edition guideline figures

14th Edition guideline figures with 10% uplift

15th Edition guideline figures

15th Edition guideline figures with 10% uplift

Increase in bottom bracket figure with 10% uplift

Increase in top bracket figure with 10% uplift

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

Severe

£41,860 to £66,970

£46,040 to £73,670

£44,790 to £71,670

£49,270 to £78,840

£3,230
(7.02%)

£5,170
(7.02%)

Moderate

£22,340 to £41,860

£24,580 to £46,040

£23,910 to £44,790

£26,300 to £49,270

£1,720
(7.00%)

£3,230
(7.02%)

Other pain disorders

Severe

£33,590 to £50,210

£36,950 to £55,240

£35,930 to £53,740

£39,530 to £59,110

£2,580
(6.98%)

£3,870
(7.01%)

Moderate

£16,800 to £30,690

£18,480 to £33,750

£17,970 to £32,840

£19,770 to £36,120

£1,290
(6.98%)

£2,370
(7.02%)

Back injuries

Severe - Type (i)

£72,620 to £128,320

£79,890 to £141,150

£77,700 to £137,330

£85,470 to £151,070

£5,580
(6.98%)

£9,920
(7.03%)

Severe - Type (ii)

£59,120 to £70,490

£65,030 to £77,540

£63,280 to £75,440

£69,600 to £82,980

£4,570

(7.03%)

£5,440

(7.02%)

Severe - Type (iii)

£30,910 to £55,590

£34,000 to £61,140

£33,080 to £59,490

£36,390 to £65,440

£2,390
(7.03%)

£4,300
(7.03%)

Moderate – Type (i)

£22,130 to £30,910

£24,340 to £34,000

£23,680 to £33,080

£26,050 to £36,390

£1,710
(7.03%)

£2,390
(7.03%)

Moderate – Type (ii)

£9,970 to £22,130

£10,970 to £24,340

£10,670 to £23,680

£11,730 to £26,050

£760
(6.93%)

£1,710
(7.03%)

Minor – Type (i)

£6,290 to £9,970

£6,920 to £10,970

£6,730 to £10,670

£7,410 to £11,730

£490
(7.08%)

£760
(6.93%)

Minor – Type (ii)

£1,950 to £6,290

£2,150 to £6,920

£2,090 to £6,730

£2,300 to £7,410

£150
(6.98%)

£490
(7.08%)

Minor – Type (iii)

Up to £1,950

Up to £2,150

Up to £2,090

Up to £2,300

£150
(6.98%)

£150
(6.98%)

Brain Damage / Head Injury

Very Severe Brain Damage

£224,800 to £322,060

£247,280 to £354,260

£240,590 to £344,640

£264,650 to £379,100

£17,370
(7.02%)

£24,840
(7.01%)

Moderately Severe Brain Damage

£174,620 to £224,800

£192,090 to £247,280

£186,890 to £240,590

£205,580 to £264,650

£13,490
(7.02%)

£17,370
(7.02%)

Moderate Brain Damage – Type (i)

£119,650 to £174,620

£131,620 to £192,090

£128,060 to £186,890

£140,870 to £205,580

£9,250
(7.03%)

£13,490
(7.02%)

Moderate Brain Damage – Type (ii)

£72,300 to £119,650

£79,530 to £131,620

£77,410 to £128,060

£85,150 to £140,870

£5,620
(7.07%)

£9,250
(7.03%)

Moderate Brain Damage – Type (iii)

£34,330 to £72,300

£37,760 to £79,530

£36,740 to £77,410

£40,410 to £85,150

£2,650
(7.02%)

£5,620
(7.07%)

Less Severe Brain Damage

£12,210 to £34,330

£13,430 to £37,760

£13,070 to £36,740

£14,380 to £40,410

£950
(7.07%)

£2,650
(7.02%)

Minor Brain or Head Injury

£1,760 to £10,180

£1,940 to £11,200

£1,880 to £10,890

£2,070 to £11,980

£130
(6.70%)

£780
(6.96%)

Although these figures show a quite consistent increase of around 7%, this should not be taken as any indication that all increases are at this level.

The inevitable increases that are to be seen in the new Guidelines are sure to filter down quickly into settlement figures and trial awards and all practitioners and insurers need to be aware of them and to consider what impact they may have on the quantum of claims generally and reserving.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.