Claims lawyers: MoJ proposals only benefit negligence

Claims lawyers represented by the Association of Personal Injury Solicitors have warned Ministry of Justice (MoJ) proposals on accident compensation will undermine legal help for injured people.

President of the organisation Muiris Lyons observes no win no fee solicitors offer "access to justice" for individuals hurt through no fault of their own, meaning those who cannot afford representation nonetheless benefit from recompense, reports the Post Online.

Speaking of the proposals, which come out of the Jackson Review, he states: "The only party to benefit from this proposal is the negligent person - and through him his insurer - who will have collected a premium to cover such costs."

The report proposes placing limits on the amount personal injury victims can be awarded, a move that could decrease compensation in very serious cases such as traffic accident claims.

Similarly, it argues no win no fee solicitors must start taking a proportion of the victim's payment as fees for their work, a move some think will reduce costs in the system.

Published by Kevin Round