§ Mr. GarnierTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if(a) solicitors and (b) banisters will be permitted to use the conditional fee arrangement proposals announced on 4 March for actions for (i) defamation, (ii) passing off, (iii) malicious falsehood, (iv) false imprisonment, (v) malicious prosecution, (vi) breach of confidence and (vii) breach of copyright claims. [33896]
§ Mr. HoonThe Government see no reason to limit the types of proceedings for which conditional fees should be available other than where there are statutory prohibitions. Conditional fee agreements would therefore be available for the matters mentioned by the hon. and learned Member if the Government's proposal was implemented. I would welcome views on the proposal during the consultation period which ends on 30 April.