ABSTRACT
An interim payment is a payment in advance on account of any damages which a claimant may ultimately be awarded at the conclusion of the trial. The purpose of such a payment is to ensure that a claimant is not ‘kept out of his money’ for an unduly long period. Interim payments are particularly important in personal injuries and clinical negligence cases, since an injured person might be in urgent need of funds to lessen the burden imposed on relatives and others who may be caring for him, and to satisfy his regular financial commitments, such as mortgage or rent payments. In such circumstances, it would cause serious hardship if he were bound to wait until the conclusion of the trial, which might be many months away.
