Mr. Brian Hanley:

I understand that fee scales are a part of District Court costs already. It seems strange that if it is permissible in the District Court, it would not be permissible in other courts. I believe that already exists. I note too that fee scales were part of the minority recommendations of the Kelly report. When that came out a few years ago, that was something it strongly recommended. Ultimately, fee scales would also bring in a greater degree of predictability and transparency, which is beneficial to insurers in knowing what their reserves and so forth ought to be in making decisions like that. It is also beneficial to claimants and respondents who are trying to decide what position they are in to challenge something and what the likely costs will be. It would be good for the insurance market and the costs there. It already exists so it is certainly something that should be considered. We are in a place now where it is not uncommon for legal costs, and we hear this regularly and certainly anecdotally, to far exceed the awards, and the compensation claims and so on. It is something that requires further scrutiny.