Legal Ombudsman and complaints about claims management companies - consultation on the fees framework

Closed 6 Jun 2014

Opened 7 May 2014

Contact

John Russell

Legal Services Policy

020 3334 3626

John.Russell2@justice.gsi.gov.uk

Results updated 3 Nov 2014

This is the Government response following the consultation paper "The Legal Ombudsman and complaints about claims management companies" which was published on 7 May. We have carefully considered all responses to the consultation.

The overall response was mixed. However, as no unforeseen issues with the proposed fee framework or no new evidence or arguments on the impact of the fees was raised, we have decided to proceed with the fee framework as set out in the consultation paper. 

Please note that as the timetable for the implementation of the Legal Ombudsman taking complaints about claims management companies has been slightly revised, revised fees have been calculated, and these are set out in Annex B of the response.

Files:

Overview

In August 2012 the Government announced its intention for customers’ complaints about poor service provided by authorised claims management companies to be dealt with by the Legal Ombudsman. The Legal Ombudsman will provide a new avenue of redress for clients of claims management companies and will assist the Claims Management Regulator in driving out poor standards and practices in the market. 
 
Once the Legal Ombudsman’s jurisdiction is extended to cover the authorised claims management industry, all authorised claims management companies will automatically be covered by the scheme and will have certain obligations towards it.
 
This paper sets out for consultation proposals as to how the costs the Legal Ombudsman will incur in dealing with complaints about authorised claims management companies may be recovered from the authorised claims management industry.   

The consultation is aimed at persons authorised to provide claims management services in England and Wales under the Compensation Act 2006 and those claims management companies and individuals considering making an application for authorisation. 

All responses must be received by 6 June 2014.

What happens next

A Welsh language version of this consultation paper is available on request.

Copies of the consultation paper are being sent to:

  • All authorised claims management companies and organisations, and
  • The Claims Management Regulatory Consultative Group.

However, this list is not meant to be exhaustive or exclusive and responses are welcomed from anyone with an interest in or views on the subject covered by this paper.

A response to this consultation exercise is due to be published by 4 July 2014. 

Audiences

  • Businesses
  • Claims management services
  • Legal professional bodies
  • Legal professionals

Interests

  • Claims management
  • Law
  • Legal aid