Cheshire, United Kingdom (10th May, 2012) – Poole Alcock LLP, professional, qualified and experienced solicitors in Chester, comments on recent revelations that mesothelioma claims will be exempt from the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act (LASPO Act).
Claims from mesothelioma victims will be exempt from the LASPO Act, which received royal assent on 1st May 2012. The Act will change the way in which personal injury claims are valued and how they are funded.
The main impact for clients under the LASPO Act is that the value of injuries is set to increase by 10%. However, the Act also changes the way in which solicitors can recover their costs.
Historically, where a claim has been successful, under the terms of a ‘no win no fee’ agreement the success fee costs are paid for by the losing side. However, this recovery is now prohibited by the LASPO Act, and solicitors are now entitled to ask their clients to pay this success fee.
Therefore in reality, whilst clients may receive 10% more compensation, they may also face a bill from their solicitor for their ‘success fee’, which can be anything up to 100% of their base costs.
A spokesperson for Poole Alcock LLP commented: “Clearly, this is bad news for clients and they will have to ‘shop around’ to find a reputable solicitor who will charge the lowest success fee.
“Thankfully, the Government has understood that asking victims of mesothelioma to ‘shop around’ for their solicitor is the very last thing on their mind. Victims of mesothelioma and their families often don’t realise that they can make a claim, and are guided by support groups and their consultants at hospital to find a reputable solicitor with the necessary experience to assist them.
“With this in mind, claims for mesothelioma have been excluded from the LASPO Act and clients can therefore be reassured that their claims will continue to be dealt with on a ‘no win no fee’ basis, with no deductions for solicitors costs whatsoever.”
For more information on Poole Alcock LLP and their solicitors in Cheshire and across the UK, visit their website at http://www.poolealcock.co.uk/ or telephone 01260 275337.
About Poole Alcock LLP:
Poole Alcock LLP is a leading solicitor in the North West of England and provides a wide range of legal services, including legal areas such as employment law, criminal defence, probate, debt recovery, childcare, adoption and more. Established for 120 years, Poole Alcock LLP continually maintains their traditional values which they blend with modern technology to offer their clients a professional, efficient and reliable legal service.
Contact:
Chris Illingworth
Poole Alcock LLP
7 Moody Street
Congleton,
Cheshire
CW12 4AN
Tel: 01260 275337
Email: cji@poolealcock.co.uk