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Government to consider tightening up referral fee ban and regulating third-party funding
The government is to consider tightening up the ban on referral fees in personal injury and also introducing statutory regulation of third-party litigation funding, it confirmed yesterday. It also clarified whether payments can be made for solicitor-to-solicitor referrals under the ban.
SRA calls on government to provide more clarity over referral fee ban
The government needs to provide further clarity and guidance on how the ban on referral fees will operate in practice, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has warned. Issues such as the definition of a referral fee need to be resolved.
Implementation of Jackson reforms pushed back to April 2013
The government has pushed back implementation of the Jackson reforms and the referral fee ban to April 2013, it announced yesterday. However, it knocked back all amendments to key elements of the reforms during a House of Lords debate.
Bar Council accuses solicitors over referral fee pressure and “abuse”
Some solicitors are putting barristers under “increasing pressure” to enter into referral fee arrangements, while others are trying to take “improper advantage” of advocates by abusing the ‘one case, one fee’ rules in criminal work, the Bar Council has complained.
News in brief: Admiral Insurance “eyeing ABS”, SRA referral fee summit, Jackson update and more
Our regular round-up includes reports that Admiral is considering becoming an ABS, the SRA starting work on the referral fee ban, Labour’s latest LASPO amendments, the Information Commissioner mulling powers to force law firm audits, and a warning over getting involved in land-banking.
MoJ rejects extending referral fee ban for now but Beith predicts it will have to reconsider
The government has rejected a call by MPs to extend the proposed ban on referral fees beyond personal injury work – but a senior backbencher has predicted that it will have to return to the issue.
Peers bid to introduce statutory control of third-party “capture” and tighten up referral fee ban
Peers have launched a bid to curb third-party capture of potential claimants by insurance companies, and also spell out the proposed referral fee ban in greater detail – while carving out an exception for payments to provide a pooled marketing service.
“Growing lobby” to stop use of ABSs to get around referral fee ban
There is a “growing lobby” to stop claims management companies, solicitors and insurers from using alternative business structures to get around the ban on referral fees, it was claimed yesterday. Insurers were also asked to be honest about whether motor premiums will go down after the ban.
Acorn Law to launch into PI market with pledge not to pay or charge referral fees
The first law firm launched in direct response to the government’s decision to ban referral fees in personal injury cases is set to go live. Acorn Law is pledging not to pay referral fees or charge them to other suppliers.
Why is marketing fine except when done by CMCs?
Introducing work to others is a common part of business life – just another cost that businesses incur in ‘selling’ their product. Law firms incur plenty of costs this way. So, asks Barbara Hamilton-Bruce, why is it different for claims management companies? Is their behaviour so abhorrent that the government should consider banning it?
