An anti-Jackson review campaigner has accused the government of caving into the “special pleading of the fat cat multinational insurance companies” over its controversial shake-up of costs litigation
Access to Justice Action Group (AJAG) co-ordinator Andrew Dismore issued a strong attack on the industry following the publication of new research by the anti-Jackson group on the impact of the proposed clampdown on ‘no win, no fee’ agreements.
Former Labour MP Dismore, said: “The government must think again and not give in to the special pleading of the fat cat multinational insurance companies, who are thesole beneficiaries of their plans.”
“They will save millions of pounds at the expense of ordinary people who have been hurt on the roads or at work. The Government’s plans are draconian and will end access to justice for the less well off. The system we have now works well and has huge satisfaction rates from those who use it.,” said Dismore.
The study, commissioned by AJAG and the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, says that the changes will mean that ‘no win no fee’ facilities will no to be an option for many claimants.
And it says that many injury victims will be unable to fund their claims any other way because their incomes are too low.
More than half of respondents had an income below £25,000 per year and 82% below £40,000.
80% of those who used ‘no win no fee’ agreements expressed satisfaction with the current system, and the research shows that most cases were not substantial in value.
The research was based on interviews with a sample of the 3m people who have used ‘no win, no fee’ facilities to make a legal claim over the past five years.
APIL chief executive Denise Kitchener said: “This research proves, as we have previously stated, that the present system is vitally important for those seeking access to justice for injuries suffered as the result of the fault of another,”
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