REQUEST TO EXAMINE SOLICITORS' FEE STRUCTURE IN MINING HEALTH CLAIMS (No. 4)

Early day motion 490, tabled 26 January 2004 by Michael Clapham (Labour). Signed by 63 members.

That this House welcomes the policy statement issued by the Law Society to members following concerns raised about solicitors charging clients in addition to the costs paid by the Department of Trade and Industry and is pleased they have concluded that a firm should be required to refund a client in the absence of any justification for an additional charge and where there is evidence of taking an unfair advantage of the client by overcharging there may be a finding of misconduct; and calls on all those firms of solicitors who have made additional charges either by way of a success fee or an increases hourly rate to refund their clients immediately.

Signatures by party: Labour 46, Liberal Democrat 7, Conservative 2, DUP 2, Scottish National Party 2, UUP 2, Labour/Co-operative 1, Plaid Cymru 1.