Written question asked by Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Bach (Labour) on Monday, 20 July 2009.

British Coal Compensation

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have made an assessment of lessons to be learned from the conduct of solicitors in the British Coal litigation.

Answer: The legal profession is independent from the Government and, as such, regulatory issues for solicitors are a matter for the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). That said, the SRA and the Government have been working together to determine how to best to assess lessons learned from the current health schemes. We understand that the SRA is considering writing to solicitors involved in miners knee litigation to provide them with the best practice directions in light of lessons learned from the ongoing conduct issues. Ministers are also seeking assurances that the SRA will monitor such activities closely to ensure that early action is taken if it appears necessary, and to keep both the Ministry of Justice and Department for Energy and Climate Change informed of any further developments.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 4896; 712 c274WA
Session: 2008-09
Subjects: Compensation Coal British Coal Corporation Industrial diseases Misconduct Mining Regulation Solicitors
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk