Large-scale commercial disputes will come under the remit of Lord Justice Rupert Jackson's review into the high cost of civil litigation, Jackson said today.

Jackson's 650-page preliminary report issued earlier today warns that the commercial courts are not a 'sacred territory' and that his findings will still apply to complex commercial cases.

The news comes despite earlier concerns about whether potential procedural changes to litigation should apply to complex, multi-party disputes in the higher courts as well as to cases in the lower courts.

Jackson states in the report: "I have come to the conclusion that the Commercial Court is not a sacred territory, which falls outside the terms of reference set for me by the Master of the Rolls."

He continued: "The recommendations in my final report must encompass all civil courts, including the Commercial Court."

However, Jackson did concede that 'one size does not fit all' and he plans to liaise with commercial court judges and practitioners on the applicability of any of his proposals during the consultation period on his report, due to end in the summer.

Mayer Brown London head of litigation David Allen said: "This report is a laudable attempt to grapple with the difficult issue of litigation costs. However, this is not an area where a one size fits all approach will work, as is helpfully acknowledged in the report."

He added: "Large, complex cases are expensive and therefore require a different approach, but there is already a vast array of case management machinery available to judges. Ultimately, however many new rules are introduced, it always comes back to the judge's ability to manage a case effectively. This is not to encourage complacency but to recognise that we have a system that works well in higher value complex cases."

Jackson's wide-scale review, which was launched in January by Master of the Rolls Sir Anthony Clarke, looked at a broad range of issues affecting costs and procedures in the courts.

In today's preliminary report Jackson suggested it is unlikely that fixed costs will be introduced in high value litigation. He also said that the cost-shifting rule – which sees the loser pay the other side's legal costs – could be scrapped for class actions.

CMS Cameron McKenna head of dispute resolution Liam O'Connell commented: "Lord Justice Jackson tentatively suggests that elements of US-style class actions be adopted in England, where the claimants do not face the risk of having to pay the defendant's costs. This could lead to a surge in class actions, as the barriers to entry into the litigation field will be lower."

The consultation period will end on 31 July when Jackson will review all feedback. A final report is due in December.

David Greene (pictured above), the president of the London Solicitors Litigation Association, said: "Jackson's preliminary report not only reflects the research that has been undertaken but also preliminary views which will have a marked effect on the litigation process. This is a work that could start a revolution of our litigation system equal to that started by Lord Woolf 10 years ago. We look forward to responding to it in the next stage."