What significant change was introduced by the Access to Justice Act 1999 regarding legal costs?

The choice regarding the establishment of rules on recoverable costs is important because the Access to Justice Act 1999 aimed to make legal services more accessible, particularly for individuals pursuing claims. By establishing clear rules regarding recoverable costs, the Act aimed to control and regulate the expenses associated with legal actions, ensuring that claimants were not deterred by excessive legal costs when seeking justice.

This change was part of a broader reform intended to enhance the fairness and efficiency of the legal system, helping to clarify how and when costs could be recovered in successful claims. It provided a framework that could reduce the unpredictability associated with the legal costs of litigation, ultimately benefiting those entering the legal process.

The other options, while they touch on relevant aspects of legal reform, do not capture the pivotal role of costs regulation established by the Act. For instance, while mandatory mediation aims to reduce the burden on courts and potentially lower costs, it was not a direct result of this particular piece of legislation. Similarly, while changes to small claim limits or the need for legal representation are relevant to access to justice, the specific focus of the Access to Justice Act 1999 was primarily on how costs in legal proceedings were managed and recovered.