Periodical payments – in whose interests?

By Juliette Coffey, Reynolds Porter Chamberlain

The amendment of the Damages Act 1996 by the Courts Act 2003 has brought a new regime into place. As of 1 April 2005, parties are required to consider from the outset of claims whether a periodical payment may be appropriate. The court can also impose such a structure on parties in situations where either or both parties may oppose it.