New body to champion £5.5bn claimant industry

A new trade body will promote the positive impact of the £5.5bn-plus claimant legal industry on the lives of consumers, as well as championing the careers of the tens of thousands of people it employs.

The Consumer Legal Association (CLA) brings together leading law firms and other associated businesses to set a new benchmark for standards and to showcase the long-term benefits that its members have on the lives of those the industry supports, including those suffering personal injury, clinical negligence or other losses.

It will also highlight the significant role the industry plays in providing development opportunities for its employees, who are from all social backgrounds, and the major contribution member firms make to the wider UK economy every year, including through employing more than 10,000 lawyers and thousands more support staff.

The new organisation’s board of directors will be chaired by former Slater and Gordon Chief Executive David Whitmore and includes Shirley Woolham, CEO of Minster Law, Peter Haden, CEO of Fletchers Solicitors and James Maxey, CEO of Express Solicitors. Juliet Oliver, the former Deputy Chief Executive and General Counsel at the Solicitors Regulation Authority, is its independent non-executive director and Matthew Maxwell-Scott has been appointed as CEO.

David Whitmore said: “Our member firms and everyone who works in our industry are proud of the work we do for hundreds of thousands of clients in need of support every year. The CLA will be a powerful advocate for those people, as well as setting the highest standards for how all member firms operate.

“Our industry plays a vital role in enabling people to return to work as soon as possible after injury, reducing the long-term strain on the public purse. Our members also support those who have suffered financial losses, which is vital for hard-pressed families and individuals facing continuing cost of living challenges.

“We’re equally proud of our industry’s positive impact on social mobility. Our employees come from a wider range of social backgrounds than any other area of professional services and we’ll work with government, regulators and other sectors to ensure our vital role in improving social mobility continues.”

The CLA’s CEO, Matthew Maxwell-Scott, said: “Our industry can speak with genuine confidence and satisfaction about the important work it does. The CLA will be the strong, constructive voice for its members and for people exercising their rights to make a claim when things go wrong.

“We want to influence and lead the debate on the future of civil justice, encouraging a collaborative approach wherever possible and promoting best practice.

“We expect to play a leadership role in the wider legal sector, and it’s important that decision makers in the wider legal sector and in Westminster recognise the huge impact our members and the people they employ have on people’s lives every day. Our role will be to ensure our sector remains successful, continues to help those who need us and can offer a genuinely fulfilling career path.”

The CLA will build on the activities of the Association of Consumer Support Organisations (ACSO).