Personal Injury/Clinical Negligence
Court of Appeal boosts claimant PI solicitors with fixed-costs ruling
The Court of Appeal has handed a boost to claimant personal injury solicitors by applying the more generous fixed costs regime for cases where the claimant in a low-value matter dies.
Medico-legal market contracts as Covid hits PI cases
The value of the medico-legal market fell by 18% to £650m last year because of Covid reducing the number of new personal injury cases and slowing down those already in progress.
Brian calls in Atkinson to lead post-Civil Liability Act strategy
The former chief executive of NAHL Group has joined innovative claims management company Call Brian as its chairman. It says it allows people to submit a claim in just seven minutes.
Latest figures confirm low take-up by LiPs of whiplash portal
Low numbers of litigants in person, two law firms dominating claims, and solicitors using the wrong portal have been features of the early days of the whiplash reforms.
Most claimants in new whiplash portal have representation
Almost all of the people who have started claims in the new Official Injury Claim portal so far are represented, a leading insurer has revealed. A number of bugs have also already emerged.
Work begins on whiplash portal ‘mixed claims’ test cases
Claimant and insurer representatives have begun work on developing test cases to take to the Court of Appeal for claims that involve both whiplash and non-whiplash injuries.
Charity outlines worries about LiPs navigating new claims portal
The charity dedicated to supporting litigants in person has expressed serious concerns about the new Official Injury Claim portal and called for more funding for legal support organisations.
Slater & Gordon launches “revolutionary” digital legal services offering
Slater & Gordon has launched ‘miplatform’, what it says is a ‘first of its kind’ digital legal service that enables clients to progress their matters with little or no direct contact with a lawyer.
“An end to greedy opportunism” – whiplash reforms finally go live
The Civil Liability Act reforms went live yesterday with the government promising an end to “greedy opportunism” while claimant representatives deemed it a “sad day for justice”.
NAHL to exit conveyancing as it targets PI law firm growth
NAHL plc is set to sell its residential conveyancing business as it looks to focus on growing its personal injury law firm in the wake of a difficult Covid-affected year for the business.
Leading PI firm recruits as it diversifies into business energy claims
Private equity-backed Winn Solicitors is ramping up its operation to handle mis-sold business energy contracts as it bids to diversify from its core personal injury business.
“Hopelessly complicated” whiplash portal guide slammed
The 64-page users guide for litigants in person navigating the new Official Injury Claim portal has been strongly criticised by a leading academic for being “hopelessly complicated”.
Firm merges clinical negligence team with barrister-led ABS
National law firm Devonshires has merged its clinical negligence department with barrister-led firm PI Law Direct to create Devonshires Claims, a specialist clinical negligence and personal injury practice.
Immigration and civil litigation hit hardest by Covid-19
Immigration and civil litigation were the two areas of legal practice hit hardest by the pandemic last year, with private client and family law “insulated” from the impact, new research has found.
The 64-page guide for litigants in person bringing ‘simple’ whiplash claims
A 64-page users guide aimed at litigants in person who have to navigate the “straightforward” Official Injury Claim portal for whiplash claims was published yesterday.
Blog
Containing the spread of unapproved AI
Nearly 60% of fee-earners admit to using unapproved tools (like free versions of ChatGPT). Yet 68% of firm leaders are confident there is zero risk of unapproved AI being used for client work.
When AI adoption goes wrong, costs add up fast
City AM recently reported that London is fighting to claim the title of ‘global capital of legal AI’. However, it’s crucial we remember that adoption alone does not create value.
Gen Z lawyers vs identity, sacrifice and success
This conversation began with my training principal, who admitted something many senior lawyers quietly feel: “I struggle to understand what motivates Gen Z lawyers.”
