Changes to the way medical compensation can be paid were approved by the House of Keys this week.

A new provision allowing for a system of periodic payments to be imposed when compensation is awarded has been added to the Statute Law Revision Bill.

When the system of payments was last reviewed in 2014, it was proposed to allow courts the option of imposing a periodic system of payments of compensation - without requiring the agreement of both parties - rather than a lump sum.

Treasury Minister Alfred Cannan said: ’The Statute Law Revision Bill offers the Treasury a suitable opportunity to amend the existing primary legislation without moving a separate bill.’

Another new clause was added to the bill to clear up an anomaly caused by one of the other provisions, that updates the Interpretation Act.

The intention of the bill in its original form was to allow for the chief minister to make acting appointments to bodies such as tribunals.

However, it was spotted that the clause would have a knock-on effect of allowing the chief minister to making acting appointments to judicial positions.

Mr Cannan said that would represent an ’abuse of power’. The new clause ensures that cannot happen.

Members gave unanimous approval to both new clauses to the bill - which will now move on to the third reading stage.