Congratulations Stacey

JMP Solicitors are celebrating the appointment of Stacey Jolly as a Solicitor.

Stacey joined the firm in July 2010 and qualified this month after the successful completion of her training contract.

Stacey came in to Law from a commercial background having started professional life as a Commercial Management Trainee at Marks and Spencer, she then moved to the Pharmaceutical Industry Sector where she held a number of positions in Sales, Marketing and Business Management. In her 16 years, she worked both in the UK and Internationally.

Since joining the Legal Profession, Stacey has used her previous skills and knowledge to apply practical solutions to legal questions. Her knowledge of the NHS, Pharmaceutical Industry and anatomy and physiology learned from her previous career, has led her to notable successes in bringing several claims against the NHS which had previously been rejected by other firms.

Commenting on her appointment as a solicitor, Stacey said “I am absolutely delighted to have qualified at such a time where training contracts are extremely hard to come by. The directors have been so supportive of me and my training and I am really glad and grateful to be part of such a great firm”.

New Appointment at JMP Solicitors

JMP Solicitors has continued its drive forward with the appointment of Simon Oates as its Operations Manager.

Simon previously worked for two UK Top200 law firms as both a lawyer and business development manager before starting his own consultancy in 2010.

Commenting on his appointment, Simon said “I am delighted to join JMP Solicitors at a time when so many opportunities and challenges are presented in the provision of legal services and also  at a time when both Grantham and Warrington continue to develop as credible commercial centres".

JMP Solicitors is a law firm with offices in Grantham, Warrington and London.

Hospitals must apologise for harm

Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, is to announce that hospitals will have a legal duty to admit to mistakes that cause patient harm and issue an apology, under a new "duty of candour" to be introduced by the Government.

 

(source: The Independent)

Insurers propose scrapping compensation for whiplash

The insurance industry has suggested for the first time that whiplash compensation could be removed altogether.

James Dalton, head of motor and liability for the Association of British Insurers, said it was time for a ‘public policy debate’ on removing all damages for low-value claims, instead asking insurers to pay directly just for treatment.

Dalton has previously called for discussion on reducing damages paid to whiplash victims but this is the first time a complete removal has been mooted.

‘We need a debate about whether someone should be awarded money for a low-value, low-impact and very minor injury claim,’ he told the Modern Claims conference in London. ‘It’s a debate about whether you should be provided with rehabilitation and no cash. That is a legitimate public policy debate for society to have and politicians to decide on.’

Dalton also reignited the argument about the value of solicitors in low-value claims and said the ABI is working on safeguards to persuade the government to raise the small claims limit.

The Ministry of Justice last year opted not to increase the limit but Dalton said he was confident that will change ‘depending on the outcome of the election’.

He added: ‘There will always be a role for PI lawyers in complex, high-value claims – my question is whether there is a place for them at all in low-value factory-based claims. The MoJ made it clear last year there were good arguments for the claims limit to up to £5,000 – that will come up again sooner rather than later.’

Claimant groups the Motor Accident Solicitors Society (MASS) and Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) said they would fight any attempt to remove compensation altogether from whiplash victims.

MASS chair Craig Budsworth said recompense should always include loss of amenity as well as rehabilitation.

‘Even if their injury means they can’t go to the gym – for some people that is their life and that deserves compensation. We will be saying that is wrong for the innocent accident victim.’

Deborah Evans, chief executive of APIL, said all sides had worked together on ways to combat fraud in the system, but removing solicitors would take away a vital barrier to fraudulent claims.

She added: ‘It has always been much easier when you have the client across the table from you to tell if they are being truthful. The more removed we get from the client the more fraud will prosper.’

(source: lawgazette.co.uk)

JMP Solicitors nominated for People Development Award

We are pleased to announce that we have been nominated and shortlisted for the 'People Development Award' (sponsored by Courageous Success) at the 2014 Grantham Journal Business Awards.

The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony being held in the grounds of Belton House on Wednesday 2nd April.

 

Pictured: Managing Director of JMP Solicitors, Ian Howard interviewed in connection with the award