Elections - Richard Vallance of Charles Russell elected chairman
At a Meeting on 7 February 2007, Richard Vallance of Charles Russell, Solicitors, was elected Chairman in place of Tom Osborne who had held the position since October 2001. Election of a new Chairman, and a Vice Chairman, will take place at the next meeting on 25 February 2009.
Recent members' meetings have taken place on 6 June 2007, 31 October 2007, 26 February 2008, 25 June 2008 and 5 November 2008. The next meeting is due to take place at the offices of Anthony Gold on Wednesday 25 February 2009.
At the last meeting, on 5 November 2008, it was agreed that the Forum should submit a letter to the Lord Chancellor requesting him to review downwards the general discount rate for the investment of damages, so as to increase awards of compensation to more accurately reflect investment returns currently achievable. There was also discussion of the various proposals concerning the recovery of costs of civil litigation and it was agreed that it will be necessary to set up a working party to respond to these initiatives at the next meeting, once what is proposed has become known.