Nominet has published the policy changes that have resulted from two consultations. One of the main changes allows undisputed cases to be settled in a summary judgment with a reduced fee.

“In cases where there is no response, the complainant is given the option of obtaining a summary decision from an Expert, at a cost of £200,” said a Nominet statement. The cost of a full judgment is £750. “The expert will not be required to write a full decision with reasoning in these cases, but only to certify that Rights and Abusive Registration have been made out by the Complainant.”

The change is intended to deal with the 52% of cases which are not opposed.

The proving of those rights and that a registration is abusive can be an expensive process, though, because lawyers are often involved. The cost will not be significantly reduced unless that is addressed said disputes expert David Barker of Pinsent Masons, the law firm behind OUT-LAW.

“The summary judgment is a step in the right direction, but it does not deal with the main cost, which is the substantial work involved in setting out your rights and explaining that the other party doesn’t have rights,” Barker said. “It is advisable to get a lawyer to do this, which is what pushes the costs up.”

Original article : http://www.out-law.com/page-9249