December 2011
December 2011 - Lord Alton tables amendments to protect asbestos victims’ compensation
Click here to see the Asbestos Forum’s briefing paper calling for support for Lord Alton’s amendments.
Click here to see the Forum’s presentation at a seminar in the House of Lords on the 15 November 2011.
Lords speak up for asbestos victims in second reading of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Prosecution of Offenders Bill (LASPO Bill).
Several members of the House of Lords spoke on behalf of asbestos victims in the second reading of the LASPO Bill. Their comments are highlighted in the text of the second reading – click here
Legal aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill
On the 21 June the Government unveiled the Legal aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill. Part 2 of the Bill contains provisions to make personal injury claimants bear legal costs which were paid by the defendant who is guilty of causing injury.
The provisions are drawn from Sir Rupert Jackson’s ‘Proposals for Reform of Civil Litigation Funding in England and Wales which “provide the opportunity to rebalance the risks of litigation between claimants and defendants”. This means that claimants will have to pay some legal costs out of their compensation so that large insurance companies can reduce their costs. This undermines a basic legal principle that the ‘polluter pays’, i.e. that the claimant receives full compensation.
All the asbestos victims support groups are in discussion with organisations campaigning against cuts to compensation. We will post further information in due course.
Please contact your MP and if possible make an appointment to discuss this important issue.
The Access to Justice Action Group has further information about Sir Rupert Jackson’s proposals http://www.accesstojusticeactiongroup.co.uk/home/ |
