ACCIDENT LINE

Rees Page have been committed to the Law Society Accident Line Scheme since its very early days back in 1994.   The Scheme was set up by the Law Society as a means of ensuring accident victims access to local Solicitors specializing in the field of personal injury work.

In anticipation of the abolition of Legal Aid for work in this area the Law Society in association with Abbey Legal Protection devised a Conditional Fee and insurance package which was designed to provide a workable system in the absence of Legal Aid. The aim was to provide a method for delivering high quality legal representation without clients risking financial ruin if they lost their case.  Central to the Accident Line Scheme was an ethical approach - this is stronger than ever today.

Unfortunately, when the Government abolished Legal Aid it did not set up any regulation to control commercial organizations that saw an opportunity to make money as a consequence.

The most notorious such organization was “Claims Direct”.    That Company went into liquidation with massive debts.   Many people who had turned to it for advice as a result of slick advertising found themselves badly let down and out of pocket. More recently another so-called “claims farmer” (“The Accident Group”) has gone into administration amid revelations that it had been trading insolvent for many months. Again thousands of people have been let down.

Many firms of Solicitors saw their work eroded by the activities of organizations such as “Claims Direct” and “The Accident Group”. For some firms the answer to the problem was simply to throw in their lot with “Claims Direct” and “The Accident Group”.   Although approached to join them Rees Page decided that it would not get involved with such organizations. Their business procedures were flawed and the referral arrangements were in breach of professional codes laid down by the Law Society. They were simply not in the best interests of the clients. That judgement has proved to have been correct in the fullness of time.   However, the firm hopes that the Government and the Law Society may now take steps to ensure that the scandals that were “Claims Direct” and “The Accident Group” will not be allowed to happen again and that the public will see the benefit of seeking advice from local specialist Solicitors operating under the Law Society indorsed Accident Line Scheme.

The Partner in charge of the Accident Line Scheme at Rees Page is Andrew Lund. To find out how Accident Line can help you call us now on 01902 577755.