TERRIBLE TARIFFS TACK-ON

WHIPLASH TARIFF SET TO > INCREASE FROM 31 MAY 2025

The MOJ in a tariffic decision for Road Traffic users has announced an increase to the 'Whiplash Tariffs' for claimants suffering from soft tissue injuries. The Changes will apply to all Road Traffic Accidents that occur on and from 31st May 2025. While still awaiting parliamentary approval, it is expected to pass without controversy.

This article summarises the key changes, provides a Q&A regarding the tariff before concluding with a list of the applicable links to the relevant legislation at the end of the commentary.

S U M M A R Y

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Following a Statutory Review of the Whiplash Regulations 2021, the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has published the new tariff figures which will apply to all soft tissue injuries sustained on or after 31st May 2025. 

DURATION:	OLD / NEW  (£)	GAIN (£)	OLD /NEW  (£)	GAIN (£)
	AWARD FOR PHYSICAL		AWARD + PSYCH
0 - 3 MONTHS:	£240 -> £275	+ £35 / 14.58%	£260 -> £300	+ £40 / 15.38%
3 – 6 MONTHS:	£495 -> £565	+ £70 / 14.14 %	£520 -> £595	+ £75 / 14.42%
6 – 9 MONTHS:	£840 -> £965	+ £125 / 14.88%	£895 -> £1’025	+ £130 / 14.52%
9 – 12 MONTHS:	£1’320 -> £1’510	+ £190 / 14.39%	£1’390 -> £1’595	+ £205 / 14.75%
12 – 15 MONTHS:	£2’040 -> £2’335	+ £295 / 14.46%	£2’125 -> £2’435	+ £310 / 14.59%
15 – 18 MONTHS:	£3’005 -> £3’445	+ £440 / 14.64%	£3’100 -> £3’550	+ £450 / 14.52%
18 – 24 MONTHS:	£4’215 -> £4’830	+ £615 / 14.59%	£4’345 -> £4’975”	+ £630” 14.50%

E X P L A N A T I O N

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Below we answer the most common questions rightly or wrongly asked. Should the answer not display correctly, then please click on the question or contact us directly:

Q1 - WHAT ARE THE WHIPLASH TARIFFS?

On 31 May 2021 the droll conflict between insurers and the legal profession came to decisive and almost-sudden conclusion with the coming into effect of the Civil Liability Act 2018 (3 years late). This brought into law the 'Whiplash Regulations 2021' limiting the amount of compensation people could claim for soft tissue injures arising from RTAs.

Since the 31st May 2021, every RTA has been subject to the whiplash regulations and the resulting soft tissue injuries assessed accordingly to the tariff.

Q2 - WHAT HAS CHANGED?

Q3 - WHAT ABOUT 'TRAVEL ANXIETY'?

Q4 - WHAT EXACTLY IS 'WHIPLASH? COULD WE NOT JUST CALL IT ...

Respectfully - Judges are not idiots (and we're not just saying that). Every adult and most minors over the age of 10, know what whiplash is i.e. an intermittent pain in the neck, upper back and shoulder region suffered following a sudden and unexpected jerking motion common to any type of RTA. While the medical definition may change, it's legal definition is defined under the regulations as:

Part 1 of the Civil Liability Act 2018 “whiplash injury” means an injury to the soft tissue of the neck; back or shoulder that is of a description falling within subsection (2), but not including an injury expected by subsection (3).

Q5 - SO, IS THAT ALL I CAN CLAIM FOR IF I AM INJURED IN AN RTA? WHAT ABOUT ...

Q6: - DID THE CHANGES APPLY TO MINORS & PENSIONERS?

Q7: - WELL AT LEAST IT APPLIES TO ANNOYING BIKE RIDERS, RIGHT?

Q8: - WHY THE CHANGES? WHAT WAS WRONG WITH PSLA?

Q9: - YOU LOT SOUND TERRIBLE! DO I HAVE TO GO THROUGH A LAW FIRM?

Should you have any questions that have not been answered above then please do not hesitate to reach out using our contact form.

C O M M E N T

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Gavin Renwick frequently acts for both defendant insurers and injured claimants. He has been privileged to work with and for some of the best Defendant legal firms in England and makes special mention of the BLM Leeds branch (since absorbed into Clyde & Co). In our opinion: -

1. Need for the Tariffs: - Defendant solicitors were more than adapt at identify fraudulent cases, robustly defending them and settling genuine claims as required. As for solicitors whom encouraged fraudulent claims, these firms were quickly identified by their fellows, ejected from the profession and dealt with extreme prejudice accordingly. We make special mention of Horwich Farrelly (Manchester) and the Solicitor Regulation Authority's 'execution' of now defunct Asons Solicitors.

   
   

   There was never any need for a tariff to deal with suspected fraud. Claimant and Defendant solicitors kept each other in check, they enjoyed the fight and both took the gloves off when they suspected their fellows of foul play. Simply put, we all know who we were dealing with and fraudulent win solicitors are routinely dealt with by superior advocates.

   
   
   
   

2. The Current Changes: - The increase still grossly undercompensates injured claimants who now receive less than 50% of what they would have in real terms when compared to 2012. For the avoidance of doubt, an injured road user will now receive less in real terms than what they did in 2012. This is despite 2 economic crashes, rampant inflation, a constitutional divide and 1 global plague.

   
   

3. The Future: - The insurance industries promises of the financial savings being passed to their policyholders in the form of lower premiums has still has not materialised. Indeed, this appears to have been silently dropped since the Tories were ejected from power. It is expected the tariff will remain and be adjusted every 5 years or so to account for inflation.

   
   

4. Tone: - We make no apology for the tariffic joke at the commencement of this article.

   
   
   
   

   

   D E F I N I T I V E - D E C I S I V E - D I R E C T

   
   

Appendix:

These are third party sites and we are not responsible for their content:

1. The Draft Statutory Instrument listing the changes can be accessed here.

2. The current whiplash regulations can be accessed here.

3. The judicial college guidelines can be accessed via Practical Law here.