Judge sceptical insurers will ensure public benefit from new guidelines

On final day as High Court judge, Mr Justice Bernard Barton discusses expected cuts in personal injury damages awards

Mr Justice Bernard Barton  after he was made a judge of the High Court following a ceremony in the Supreme Court in 2014. File picture: Collins Courts

A High Court judge has expressed scepticism that the insurance industry will see the public benefits from expected cuts in personal injury damages awards as a result of new guidelines for such awards.

Mr Justice Bernard Barton was among a number of judges who had raised concerns about the guidelines, particularly aimed at reducing damages for minor personal injuries, which were adopted last weekend by a majority of judges.