Personal injury compensation - Legal news

This may come as a shock to some but the legal world is not really that exciting - even for lawyers.

Every now and then however, issues or stories come along that are worthy of discussion and we aim to keep you updated in this section of our site.

Legal news & developments

THE CLEMENTI REVIEW

Sir David Clementi's review of the regulation of legal services is likely to lead to wide ranging changes for all personal injury practitioners in England & Wales. Clementi has been asked to make his recommendations by the end of 2004. A recent consultation paper sets out his vision of the future. Click here to visit the consultation website.

[May 04]

RAISING THE STANDARDS IN THE PERSONAL INJURY SECTOR

A renewed effort to raise standards in the personal injury claims management industry was heralded last week with the merging two key organisations - The Personal Injury Federation and the Claims Standards Association. They intend to form a single self-regulating body to bring order to what is considered volatile industry.

"The Claims Industry Federation" has been created with the chief executive of the Personal Injury Federation, taking on the same role at the new body.

In addition, a separate independent monitoring body is to be created to monitor and enforce the rules and regulations that are currently being developed for the industry. [Feb 04]

DRIVING WHILST TIRED - GREEN FLAG SURVEY

Almost half of all motorists have driven when seriously tired or fatigued, suggests a survey conducted for Green Flag Motoring Assistance.

It found that 45% of motorists had driven within the past year on less than five hours sleep. It also revealed that 10% of divers had done so at least once a month during the same period.

Green Flag spokesman Nigel Chatsworth said: "Despite tiredness being a major cause of road deaths, the research shows that a significant number of people still underestimate the dangers.

"We hope these results act as a wakeup call for motorists to realise that getting behind the wheel while tired puts their and other road users' lives at risk, and is just as unacceptable and dangerous as drink or drug driving."

Green Flag said its report was supported by a study at Loughborough University which found that after five hours sleep, drivers had only a 10% chance of staying fully awake for the length of their journey. Source - The Insurance Times. [Feb 04]

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LAW SOCIETY VOTES TO ALLOW REFERRAL FEES

The Law society last month voted in favour of allowing solicitors to pay referral fees in order to acquire work from marketing agencies or other professional bodies. Up to now the concept of paying a fee to receive business has been frowned upon by the governing body. However, there has been much debate over the issue and a compromise would appear to have been reached. There will be certain safeguards in place to ensure that clients are fully protected and solicitors will continue to operate independently.

The new rule which must firstly be approved by the Master of the Rolls will not apply to legal aid cases or criminal matters. [Jan 04]

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DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR COALMINERS COMPENSATION CLAIMS

The cut-off date for receipt of coalmining claims for respiratory disease is 4.30pm on 31 March 2004.  Claims received after this date will not be accepted under the government scheme and will have to be made under common law procedures through a local solicitor.

Ex-coalminer's and their families who believe they have a valid compensation claim should contact The Claims Connection urgently as we may be able to help you with your / your relatives claim - call 0800 0322210 now for immediate advice on MINERS COMPENSATION. More information can be found at the Dept of Trade & Industry "coalhealth" website dti.gov. [Jan 04]

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More legal news can be found on our archive pages.