Legal Costs

HC Deb 12 June 2002 vol 386 cc1267-8W

David Hamilton

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer of 26 March 2002,Official Report, columns 797–98W, on legal costs, if she will provide a breakdown of the top 100 companies and organisations and the amounts paid to those lawyers dealing with bronchitis and emphysema. [60802]

Mr. Wilson

In the time given, the Department cannot provide the costs paid to the top 100 solicitors/organisations. The following table updates the details of costs paid to the 10 solicitors/organisations who represent the largest number of respiratory disease claims in ascending order of total claims intimated.

Solicitors/organisations	Costs paid (£ million)
1. Thompsons	19.2
2. Hugh James Ford Simey	10.7
3. Raleys	5.2
4. Browell Smith and Co.	4.1

Solicitors/organisations	Costs paid (£ million)
5. UDM	3.5
6. Irwin Mitchells	2.7
7. Towells	2.5
8. Graysons	2.3
9. Watson Burton	1.8
10. O. H. Parsons	1.3