PERSONAL INJURY SOLICITOR : LAWYER UK

A specialist Lawyer UK personal injury solicitor offers an independent, professional service with unique consumer protection:

• Compulsory insurance and independent complaints handling machinery in the unlikely event that there is a problem with the service.
• Independence, integrity and confidentiality guaranteed by professional rules.
• Training and entry to the solicitors' profession takes a minimum of six years. Once qualified, solicitors must keep up to date through a programme of continuing education.
• The Law Society governs entry to the profession, ensuring that all new solicitors are fit and proper persons and have undergone the relevant training.
• Solicitors wishing to practise must obtain a practising certificate annually from the Law Society which guarantees that the solicitor is properly qualified and is complying with the professional rules laid down by The Law Society.
• Solicitors must have Professional Indemnity Insurance, which covers cases where solicitors are negligent.
• Solicitors must contribute to the Compensation Fund which ensures that if a solicitor is dishonest the public will not suffer financially.

Our specialists must belong to The Law Society panel of personal injury experts. The panel is only open to those who have expertise and experience in settling accident claims. They must be able to show detailed knowledge as follows:

Areas of law:

• Road Traffic Acts
• Occupiers Liability Act
• Common Law of Negligence
• Contributory Negligence
• Civil Evidence Acts 1968 and 1971
• Motor Insurance Bureau
• Vicarious Liability
• Employers Liability
• Health and Safety at Work Act
• Consumer Protection Act 1987
• Fatal Accident Act 1976
• Knowledge of the relationship between injury work and social security benefits.
• Relevant European Community legislation.

Ethical Issues:

• use of expert witnesses
• disclosure of medical reports
• conflict;
  • acting for a client when previously acted for that client's employer who is a party to the proceedings.
  • instructing an expert witness who was previously a client.
  • receiving opponent solicitors papers by mistake.
  • acting for a driver and passengers in connection with a road accident.

Professional Skills:

• General Skills
  • Negotiation
  • Interviewing
  • Advising Clients
  • Drafting
  • Appraisal of Issues
• Specialist Skills
  • Drafting of pleadings.
  • Investigation and research.
  • Damages and interest calculation.
  • Case Management.
  • Utilising expert witnesses.
  • DSS procedure.
  • Persons under a disability.
• Advocacy Skills
  • Panel members are expected to demonstrate a commitment to take appropriate cases to a full hearing.