§ John MannTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average payment made to1218W solicitors was in (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful cases for (i) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and (ii) vibration white finger claims. [168475]
§ Nigel Griffiths[holding answer 26 April 2004]: The solicitors' costs are paid on a tariff basis, under the terms of the Claims Handling Agreements (CHA). Costs are only payable for successful claims, there are no costs payable for unsuccessful claims.
Under the CHA the basic costs are:
Costs (£)1 COPD Settled expedited offers 955 Settled full and final offers 1,856 Settled chronic bronchitis only 531 VWF2 General damages claims in Group 1 occupations3 652 General damages claims in Group 2 occupations4 760 1Plus VAT plus disbursements. 2 Costs for handling services claims are not yet agreed. 3 Group 1 occupations incorporates the occupations where generally in the coal mining industry the use of hand held vibratory or percussive tools was recognised as a substantial part of the occupation. 4Group 2 occupations incorporates the occupations where in the coal mining industry the use of hand held vibratory or percussive tools was not necessarily a substantial part of the job, however use by individuals within the group, may well have been significant. Note: In addition solicitors receive additional payments for handling Grant of Probates, disputes procedures and posthumous claims.