From 6 April 2012, the maximum costs order which a tribunal may make in favour of a legally represented Claimant or Respondent will increase to £20,000.00 from the current £10,000.00. This gives the Tribunal authority to award much larger amounts of costs without the case leaving the Tribunal system. Before 6 April 2012, costs could only be awarded above £10,000 if the Tribunal referred costs for assessment in the County Court.

This change is another part of the government’s attempts to discourage misconceived nuisance claims.