Next debate: Should adverts for no win - no fee law firms be banned?

Date: Thursday 29th September
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: The Devereux Pub, Essex Street, WC2R 3JJ
Motion: This House Would ban advertising for no fee - no win law firms

Background:

Companies have highlighted the unfairness of the No-win No-Fee system which has led to higher insurance premiums, allowed frivolous lawsuits against employers and is creating a 'compensation culture' much like the self proclaimed land-of-litagation the United States.

The Dowler family have criticised the new government proposals abolishing 'no-win, no-fee services' saying without the Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) "we would not have been able to start a case or even threaten it" which led to a million dollar settlement for the alleged phone-hacking of their recently deceased daughter .

In a economic climate where businesses are struggling to survive is it right to lump companies with millions of dollars of potentially flippant legal casework? Is compensation culture a good thing? Does the CFA encourage legitimate claimants, who would not otherwise, to come forward?

Venue:

We will be in the Devereux pub this Thursday just off the Strand on Essex Street. The debate will take place in the main function on the top floor. For directions to the pub, see here

Further reading:

Background:
1) Government to clamp down on no win no fee claims (Which Magazine)
2) Dowler family backs no win no fee (BBC)

Yes:
3) Ban will curb compensation culture (Independent)
4) Personal injury adverts go too far (Guardian)

No:
5) No win - no fee firms brought down phone hackers (Access to Justice Group)
6) Claimants will suffer if no win - no fee is scrapped (Guardian)

Admission:

Admission is, as ever, totally free of charge. All are welcome, so if you know anyone who might be interested in this debate, do feel free to bring them along.

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