I first worked with Rocco Pirozollo general editor of the
Law Society Litigation Funding Hand Book when we both sat on the ABI’s Legal Expenses
Insurance committee many years ago and more recently when I chaired an
ABI-sponsored but independent working group which reported on consumer aspects
of BTE. I was flattered to be approached by Rocco towards the end of 2012 to
write a chapter of “the handbook”.
Rocco’s vision was to provide comprehensive practical help
to busy litigators following the Jackson reforms. He has written three chapters
of the book himself while inviting others to contribute the different chapters
according to their fields of expertise. The project moved slowly for a time as
reforms were rolled out and new cost rules published but earlier this year it
was full steam ahead and it was great to see the book published in September.
The panel litigator system that legal expenses providers
operate is disliked by many law firms so it may not be surprising that the BTE
chapter is tucked away at the back of the book.
However, legal expenses policies provide welcome financial support to
consumers and businesses. At ARAG we aim to be fair to our customers and to
their preferred law firm when freedom of choice of lawyer applies. My hope is that by being fully informed of
pros and cons of many possible funding options litigators will feel more
comfortable about recommending BTE as a preferred method of litigation funding.
Lesley Attu Product Development Manager
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