§ 8. Mr. Abseasked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that firms holding themselves out as accident consultants are behaving as ambulance chasers, are seeking out victims of motor and other accidents and inducing them to sign agreements to pay over a high percentage of any damages that may be recovered; and whether he will cause proceedings in maintenance champerty or barratry to be initiated against such firms.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI have no evidence that would justify the institution of proceedings.
§ Mr. AbseDoes that mean that the Attorney-General is totally unaware of the activities of a considerable number of firms, including Swann & Moore (Assessors) Ltd. of 33 Great Queen Street, London, and G. Wheeler of 119 Oxford Street, London, firms which are communicating within 24 hours of an accident taking place with the victim or relatives and inducing them to enter into signed agreements that they will pay over a substantial portion of any damages they may recover? Would not the Attorney-General, if I gave him more evidence—since he apparently is unaware of it—consider taking some action against these predatory firms which have been behaving like vultures, taking money away from people who could get good advice from their trade unions or free legal aid from solicitors without having taken away from them these substantial sums in a way which, unfortunately, appears to be happening on a very wide scale?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI have not seen any evidence about the two firms named by the hon. Member, but if he will give me any information I shall be delighted to consider it. The only firm about which I have been informed and about which I have made inquiries of the Law Society was a firm which agreed to take a percentage of anything recovered without litigation. That, as the hon. Member will understand, creates some difficulties; but if he has any information which he considers is relevant to the commission of a criminal offence I shall, of course, be delighted to consider it.