The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) is a not-for-profit campaign organisation. We are committed to protecting the rights of victims of negligence.
Charlie’s mother Kayleigh tells of the catastrophic, avoidable harm he suffered at birth which changed both of their lives forever.
Children like Charlie and other victims of negligence must be at the heart of any policymaking about compensation and their right to redress.
"The Official Injury Claim portal (OIC) in England and Wales has proven to be a failure on all fronts. It would be detrimental to plaintiffs in Northern Ireland to repeat the mistakes here," APIL representative for Northern Ireland has said. https://t.co/g9TUsdpu2C
A ‘do-it-yourself’ compensation system for people injured in road traffic collisions would be devastating for access to justice, APIL has warned the DoJ. An Official Injury Claim system is being considered as an option to replace legal aid for some claims.
APIL’s new president Guy Forster vows to champion the work of lawyers and to urge policymakers to look at reform from the position of victims of negligence. "I’m looking forward to working with, and for, the brilliant professionals in this sector who do essential work for victims of negligence."
Read more here: https://t.co/65ZIHAshkG
"The money involved in settling compensation claims is constantly under scrutiny by policymakers, the press, and the public discourse," writes APIL chief executive Mike Benner in the latest issue of Modern Insurance Magazine.
Mike's column is on P33: https://t.co/IXgU8aziWV
"It’s nothing short of scandalous how much some victims are initially offered, compared with how much they go on to receive if they appeal," writes APIL's past president Kim Harrison in the latest blog on the website.
https://t.co/96euYixbE9
Victims of crime are being undercompensated by tens of thousands of pounds if they do not challenge decisions made by the CICA. In cases which went to appeal in 2024/25, an average of £7,710 was initially offered, but at appeal the average offer rose to considerably to £55,800.
Bereaved families are often denied the appropriate legal support they need for inquests when a loved one has died in circumstances involving public authorities. To sit through an inquest into a loved one’s death will be an extremely distressing experience. If change does happen to legal aid it will be long overdue.
Read more here: https://t.co/CYMaMZ0inm
Nearly 8,000 families have received compensation from the NHS in the past decade for harm caused by poor maternity care, totalling more than £6 billion. Guy Forster, APIL vice president, told the Daily Mirror: "Every penny spent is caused by negligence." https://t.co/o8WG6dYYHx
"The focus should be on preventing harm occurring in the first place and this comes from a culture change within the NHS and not changes to the compensation system," APIL joint vice president Guy Forster tells Law Society Gazette as the Gov considers the cost of clinical negligence claims.
Guy points to the response to harm, failure to adhere to the duty of candour, and delays in justice for injured patients as key factors at play which could be addressed.
APIL’s latest analysis of NHS Resolution data shows a 58 per cent increase in delays to claim settlements since 2013/14.
No-one ever expects to suffer a needless injury but the reality is that it happens to thousands of people each year in the UK. Due to someone else’s negligence they suffer an injury that changes the course of their lives.
"A specific declaration to make it clear that a legal representative has used AI would be overkill, and undo the efficiencies that AI can offer," APIL president Matthew Tuff said in a new press release. 👇
https://t.co/EhuYJi8Wpn
APIL's latest blog reflects on the conclusion of the Mazur appeal and how significant the past few months have been. The judgment is a testament to the strength of collective action.
"APIL’s contribution ensured that the voices of practitioners were heard at the highest level."
The Court of Appeal has overturned the decision in Mazur, in a judgment handed down today. It means that an unauthorised person can conduct litigation under the supervision of an authorised lawyer.
APIL intervened in the appeal by CILEX.
Calls to repeal Section 2(4) of the Law Reform (Personal Injuries) Act are wholly misjudged. Not only would such a move be deeply damaging for victims of negligence, but there would be detrimental unintended consequences for the NHS itself. Read more: https://t.co/OShjz2frYi