Varie
No Win No Fee Changes and the Spending Cuts Will Hit Older People's Access to Justice
Bridget Ferrick (71) was sent sprawling when she stepped onto a defective manhole cover in Rawstone Walk in Plaistow. She sustained cuts and bruising to her face, legs and hands and has experienced daily pain in her back since the incident.
Mrs Ferrick instructed DBS Law to claim damages from the local authority for her injuries. Lawyers investigating the case found that the council had been made aware of the defective drain cover by residents after an identical incident three months before Mrs Ferrick was hurt. The council did nothing to rectify the problem.
Despite the compelling evidence Newham Council refused to accept responsibility for the accident. Mrs Ferrick was forced to endure months of uncertain waiting and worry about the prospect of a court appearance. It wasn't until
Mrs Ferrick's legal representative, Sam Zaffar , said
The changes to No Win No Fee funding arrangements are contained within the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill. The Bill is at the third reading stage and we shortly be going to the Lords. Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly , who is responsible for the bill, has been criticised recently for failing to reveal financial interests in insurance companies who will benefit from the changes to civil litigation funding arrangements.