Secret commission claims through the back door

Firms like JG Solicitors and Checkmylegalfees have failed in the main to further their efforts to challenge solicitors’ profit costs and success fees through cases like Belsner and Karatysz. However, rather than discontinue the hundreds of live sets of Solicitors Act 1974 detailed assessment proceedings (and become responsible for adverse costs), energy is now being expended on ‘converting’ those proceedings into possible ‘secret commission claim’ associated with ATE premiums taken out by firms. Nick McDonnell, Director & Costs Lawyer with Kain Knight, will discuss the recent case Turner v Coupland Cavendish Ltd and its current ongoing journey to the Court of Appeal.