Motor Accident Solicitors Society (Mass)
MoJ defends position on access to justice for children amid whiplash criticism
Exclusive: The Ministry of Justice has defended itself over a "loophole" in whiplash legislation that lawyers and trade bodies argue could leave the majority of children injured in road traffic accidents without access to compensation or representation.
Whiplash reforms timeline in 'grave doubt' as general election looms
With an early general election on the cards, the industry has raised concerns over the planned implementation of whiplash reforms in April.
Civil Liability Act flaw leaves children 'stranded in a civil justice no man’s land'
Exclusive: A majority of children injured in road traffic accidents could lose access to compensation due to a flaw in the Civil Liability Act, a consumer support body has warned.
Top motor accident solicitor slams ministers on whiplash
Whiplash reforms should be delayed as rushing through a "minimum viable product" will create unacceptable challenges for claimants, lawyers have warned the government.
Analysis: Should the government revise the deadline for the whiplash portal?
The small claims portal is due to enter its testing phase in October, before officially launching in April 2020. However, many in the industry are concerned that the proposed deadline is not feasible, given the lack of clarity from the government
Trade voice: Paul Nicholls, Mass chair
With the motor claims landscape set to change following the Civil Liability Act, Motor Accident Solicitors Society chair Paul Nicholls airs his concerns over anticipated delays in the progress of the Litigants in Person portal and how a premature launch…
Blog: The MIB's litigant in person portal is only fit for sunny days
The Motor Insurer's Bureau might have outlined how it expects the proposed litigant in person portal to work. But Marcus Taylor, director of claims at Minster Law, argues that while this might be fine for 'sunny day' scenarios, there was much detail…
Interview: Dominic Clayden, Motor Insurers’ Bureau
The newly appointed CEO of the Motor Insurers’ Bureau discusses modernisation, Brexit, whiplash portals, and Lewis v Tindale with Martin Croucher
Lawyers slam government for 'cutting corners' on whiplash portal
The Motor Accident Solicitors Society has raised concerns over the development process of the new Litigant in Person Portal.
Speed limiters in cars 'could create insurance gap'
Exclusive: The government should close legal loopholes which could prevent owners of vehicles installed with mandatory speed limiters from claiming on their motor insurance, lawyers have warned.
Medco starts consultation on whiplash portal
Medco has started consulting over the creation of a 'litigants in person' portal on the back of the government's whiplash Bill.
Mass’s Simon Stanfield on how whiplash reform sacrifices legitimate claims
The government's whiplash reforms discriminate against legitimate claimants, whose rights need to be protected, argues Simon Stanfield, chair of the Motor Accident Solicitors Society.
Whiplash reform 'should be delayed further' if testing reveals problems
Whiplash reforms should be delayed still further if testing proves the system is inaccessible for people unable to access the internet, MPs have warned.
Government's draft whiplash regulation divides industry
LLegislators have revealed proposals for an updated whiplash definition and damages tariff, prompting fresh debate across the industry.
Video: Insurers and claimant lawyers react to whiplash reform
Insurers welcome the whiplash compensation reform introduced in the Civil Liability Bill, while personal injury lawyers warn against its unintended consequences.
Editor's comment: Time to play nicely
We have a sign in our kitchen with the rules of the house. As well as being told not to run (and throw balls in the house), my son knows it’s important to play nicely.
Mass's Simon Stanfield on the whiplash opportunity
The delay in whiplash reform should not be wasted, says Simon Stanfield, chair of the Motor Accident Solicitors Society, urging all parties to grasp the opportunity.
Q&A: Simon Stanfield, Motor Accident Solicitors' Society
Simon Stanfield was elected chair of the Motor Accident Solicitors’ Society the day before the Ministry of Justice published its consultation paper on whiplash reform.
Government challenged to instigate fraud taskforce recommendations
The insurance industry has praised the final report of the Insurance Fraud Taskforce with the mantle now passed to government to work on implementing the suggested reforms.
Trade Voice: Freezing out the cold callers
Insurers and lawyers must work together to tackle bad behaviour from claims management companies.
Insurers dispute criticism of pre-med offers as driver of whiplash claims
Insurers have dismissed accusations that pre-medical offers are the main driver of erroneous whiplash claims and have instead criticised low quality medical reports while pointing the finger of blame at the claims management sector.
Mass chair takes swipe at insurers over pre-med offers for whiplash
The perception of whiplash as “easy money” is the fault of certain insurers making pre-medical offers, according to the chair of the Motor Accident Solicitors Society, who has questioned the extent to which claims management companies are fuelling fraud.
Insurers remain at odds with Apil over whiplash figures despite talk of collaboration
Insurers have welcomed calls by the president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers for greater collaboration, but have roundly rejected his argument that whiplash claims are on a downward trajectory.
Old wounds re-opened as Accident Exchange raises dishonest evidence concerns
Six years after the Autofocus fraud scandal, Accident Exchange is to write an open letter to defendant law firms and insurance companies it believes are engaged in dishonest car hire rate evidence activity.