Introduction

There are a number of organisations that are committed to reforming the way claimants and defendants work together in serious injury claims. The not-for-profit campaign group, the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) are a leading voice for injured claimants. The Forum of Insurance Lawyers (FOIL) represent the defendant voice, working alongside APIL in a conjoined effort to smooth the litigation process for catastrophic injury claims. APIL and FOIL, working together with major insurers, have produced a ‘Guide to the Conduct of Cases Involving Serious Injury’, more commonly referred to as the Serious Injury Guide.

To access the Guide, see here: Serious Injury Guide.

The Guide was developed in a hope to achieve a collaborative process between claimant and defendant representatives in injury claims where damages are over £250,000, and are likely to include a claim for continuing future loss (clinical negligence and asbestos related disease claims are excluded). Many claimant, defendant and insurance companies are signatories to the Guide.

Objectives and key aspects

The key objectives of the Guide are: