THE LAW SOCIETY'S PERSONAL INJURY PANEL
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The Law Society's Personal Injury Panel was established, in essence, to assist members of the public in finding a Solicitor suitably experienced in this area of law.
Only experienced Solicitors and Fellows of the Institute of Legal Executives can apply. Applicants have to satisfy Law Society Conditions that they have carried out a number of personal injury cases in recent years, to include sufficient cases where the award or settlement was approved by the court because the claimant was under a disability, for example a child. An applicant has to have set down at least cases for Trial, including cases where there was a dispute over liability.
An applicant would be required to provide details of training courses attended over the past three years and when applying to renew membership, after a period of five years, details of current relevant training courses must also be given to the Law Society.
Applicants have to satisfy the Law Society that they have suitable knowledge of the following: -
- Areas of Law
Any member of the Personal Injury Panel has to be able to show to the Law Society that they have a sufficient understanding of the law to include, for example, the Road Traffic Acts, Health and Safety at Work, Consumer Protection Act and relevant European Community Legislation. - Ethical Issues
Panel Members are expected to be aware of the ethical issues and problems arising in personal injury work in relation to, for example use of expert witnesses and conflicts of interest, receiving opponent's Solicitor's papers by mistake, acting for a driver and his or her passengers in connection with a road accident. - Professional Skills
Panel Members have to show that they have suitable general skills to carry out personal injury work for example negotiation, interviewing and advising clients. Specialist skills also need to be demonstrated, for example the drafting of Court pleadings, case management, assessment of damages. Advocacy skills also have to be demonstrated as the Law Society find it essential that personal injury specialists approach the majority of their personal injury cases on the basis that the case will reach Trial and not be settled. Applicants are expected to demonstrate a commitment to take appropriate cases to a full Hearing.
Membership of the Personal Injury Panel will be based on the experience and expertise of the individual Solicitor.
It is for these reasons that membership of the Law Society's Personal Injury Panel is widely recognised as the best indication of expertise in the area.