Medical Negligence Solicitors Support Peers’ Legal Aid Warnings

Oxford-based medical negligence specialist, Darbys Solicitors, is backing peers from the House of Lords, who spoke out earlier this month against the removal of the provision of Legal Aid for claimants in medical negligence cases.
 
Speaking to the House of Lords, the Conservative’s Baroness Eaton argued that: “A civilised society should provide a safety net for the most vulnerable"
 
Liberal Democrat Lord Thomas of Gresford also spoke out in support of retaining Legal Aid provision for medical negligence cases, suggesting that instead of outright abolition, the severity of the injury should dictate whether or not Legal Aid is awarded.
 
He said: “If it is a case which so often happens that people’s lives are altered for good, and members of their family’s lives are altered for good, surely a humane society should provide legal aid to cover the cost of litigation in those circumstances.”
 
In response to the remarks made in the house of lords, clinical negligence expert and lawyer at Darbys Solicitors LLP Richard Money-Kyrle said: “I absolutely agree with the views expressed in support of retaining Legal Aid provision for medical negligence claimants.
 
“By removing such provision we’re straying dangerously close to denying representation and compensation to the poorest in our society, particularly considering the fact that this comes hand-in-hand with the dismantling of the ‘no win, no fee’ system.”
 
Commenting on the ‘no win, no fee’ proposals, Mr Money-Kyrle continued: “Under new government proposals claimants will have to pay up to 25% of their legal fees from their compensation, as opposed to the person at fault having to pay.”
 
Speaking to the Huffington Post, chief executive of the Law Society Desmond Hudson also commented on the wider ‘no win, no fee’ issue, saying: “the Government is proposing to further reduce legal aid spending while effectively dismantling the ’no win, no fee’ system, which will leave many people without effective access to justice"
 
Advocate General Lord Wallace of Tankerness, speaking to the Lords in support of the removal of Legal Aid provision for medical negligence claims, assured ministers that he would reflect seriously on their concerns.
 
Oxford-based Darbys Solicitors LLP specialises in clinical negligence claims. For more information, visit the company’s dedicated medical negligence website at: http://www.darbysmedicalnegligence.co.uk

Contact Information

Richard Money-Kyrle

Medical Negligence Solicitor

Darbys Solicitors LLP

(44) 0800 524 4349

info@darbys.co.uk