Barristers speaks out over personal injury - 11/04/2008

Mathew Stockwell, a barrister, has spoken out in his capacity as board member of the Association of Personal Injury lawyers (Apil).

Stockwell has remarked on his first year working for Apil. “Personal injury lawyers have a bad press, with stories of claims farming and firms badgering people in the street. Apil is a way of countering the negative image of the profession. Being involved has been a real eye-opener.”

At 32, Stockwell who also works as a barrister for India Buildings Chambers, is the youngest person to be elected to the board of the Apil.

“You come into the industry after a more academic and training background and get to really see some of the wider issues that involve personal injury cases, especially in regards to some of the problems and issues that arise for injured people,” said Stockwell.

Asked for his comments on ‘employers liability’ cases, in light of criticism by the Association of British Insurers regarding lawyers taking too long on cases and driving up legal costs, Stockwell was keen to pint out that the overwhelming majority of claims, in the region of 90% see responsibility vehemently denied by insurer assessors until legal proceedings are initiated.

APIL was established in 1990 by a group of lawyers working on behalf of personal injury victims and now has over 5,000 members. It campaigns for better laws to help people who are injured or become ill through no fault of their own. APIL is an independent, not for profit organisation providing accreditation to lawyers specialising in the area of personal injury law.