How do resolve fit into the scheme?

resolve is an independent organisation that works in cooperation with LawAlliance and a number of responsible insurers, employers, companies and local authorities against whom claims might be made. resolve talks to both sides to try to iron out any differences and cut through the delays in settling your case, in order to reach a fair settlement that is acceptable to you.

The resolve scheme is the only one that guarantees truly independent free legal advice to claimants in every single case. Even in straightforward cases where there are no disputes and a lawyer’s involvement isn’t needed to process your claim, you will receive an opinion from a LawAlliance member on what your claim is worth. In more complex cases, you will get full representation from a LawAlliance member.

For more information, please go to resolve’s website at www.123resolve.com

Can any personal injury claim be dealt with by LawAlliance members?

In principle,  yes and you can contact LawAlliance,  at (traceyfisher@lawalliance.org.uk) or any LawAlliance member direct.

If the respondent  or their insurers agree to use the resolve scheme, the benefits of the much simplified procedure will apply.

If they refuse, LawAlliance member firms can still normally act on your behalf using the traditional but more cumbersome method of dealing with claims.

Will I always get the benefits of the resolve scheme?

Yes,  if the person responsible for your injuries or their insurers are already involved in the resolve scheme. If they are not regular users of the resolve scheme, they will be asked if they would like to use it in regard to your claim and in most cases they agree to do so.

Will I have to pay any legal fees?

The answer is an absolute and definite ‘No’ for any claim handled under the resolve scheme.

If, for any reason, the matter cannot proceed under the resolve scheme, your LawAlliance solicitor will advise you of the risk of costs and how to get an After-The-Event legal expenses insurance (if required) to protect you from incurring legal costs.
 

Is LawAlliance really independent?

Yes, it is entirely independent of both resolve and any insurers or employers who participate in the resolve scheme.

All the law firms who are members of LawAlliance are regulated by the Law Society

Whilst LawAlliance members will fully co-operate with resolve and any participating insurer to ensure early medical treatment and a swift and reasonable settlement, they will always consider what is in your best interests.
 

Why is the claims process quicker?

Under the resolve scheme, the aim of both your LawAlliance solicitor and the insurers of the person responsible (or if appropriate, your employers) is to get you back to full health as quickly as possible – then to negotiate on your behalf reasonable compensation for your pain and suffering.

Because it is not the intention to file court proceedings wherever possible, both sides can work in tandem from the outset with the assistance of resolve and cut out much of the procedural delays and disputes that plague so many claims.
 

Why don’t all insurers participate?

The resolve scheme is a new way of working, which requires them and your solicitors to work in cooperation for your benefit. It can take time for this to be understood and accepted. resolve’s experience is that most insurers are willing to adopt the scheme once they once they have a good understanding of how it works.
 

Why aren’t all personal injury solicitors members of LawAlliance?

LawAlliance will welcome into its membership any special personal injury law firm in the UK.  Whilst the membership is growing fast, lawyers can also need time to understand and accept new ideas.

Also, some solicitors pay referral fees (often up to £750) to claims management companies or even motor insurers to “buy” personal injury claims.  These arrangements sometimes come with ‘strings’ that mean that those solicitors cannot operate the resolve scheme on those cases.

No referral fees are paid by any LawAlliance member to LawAlliance or resolve for a case referred under this scheme (although they may pay referral fees to other organisations not connected to LawAlliance or resolve).
 

Can I use my usual solicitor under the scheme?

Yes, if your solicitor is a member of LawAlliance or wishes to become a member.  However, the benefits of the resolve scheme are available exclusively to LawAlliance members and their clients.
 

How long will it take?

Many claims take far too long to settle using the traditional court-based process. On average, it can take around 2-3 years to deal with even straightforward claims. Much of this time is spent in unnecessary and frustrating arguments and delays.

The resolve scheme cuts these out. If there is no dispute about who is to blame, the time at which your claim can be settled largely depends on your medical condition. - this should be when either a full recovery has taken place or the medical experts can accurately indicate how long the symptoms will last or if (in rarer cases) some symptoms will last indefinitely.

Some claims, with early treatment, may be settled within three months. Others, that are more complicated, may not be ready to be settled for a couple of years.  Most, even when there is an argument over who is to blame, should be able to be settled within six to nine months.

How can I complain about the way my claim is being handled?

All firms of solicitors must have a complaints handling procedure and this is set out in their ‘Client Care’ letter sent to you at the outset.
 
However in addition to that, LawAlliance requires the highest standards of its members and if you feel your claim is not being handled in the way you expect, please do not hesitate to contact the LawAlliance administrator  (traceyfisher@lawalliance.org.uk) or resolve’s helpline 0845 257 2211.
 

If an agreement has been reached to settle my claim, how long will it take before I receive my settlement cheque?

Normally, no longer than two weeks.

Is any money deducted to pay my solicitors or resolve?

Absolutely none!

Why is LawAlliance a “Not-For-Profit” company?

Unlike most claims management companies who advertise on TV and elsewhere, LawAlliance does not set out to make any profit.  It simply exists so that specialist personal injury lawyers can work with resolve to deal with claims simply, efficiently and economically and wherever possible, without the need for any expensive middlemen who charge them a fee to refer your injury claim to them.
 

How is LawAlliance different from all the NO WIN NO FEE companies that advertise on TV?

LawAlliance is an umbrella group of law firms spread throughout the country set up to deal with claims referred to LawAlliance under resolve simplified claims procedure more fully described at www.123resolve.com and whose own clients can benefit from the scheme on claims referred into it by LawAlliance members.

Most of the advertisers you see on TV do not handle your claim themselves– they are middlemen who simply sell your claim on to solicitors for large sums of money, often up to £750 per claim.

LawAlliance and resolve NEVER sell claims to LawAlliance members. None of the solicitors who you may deal with under the resolve scheme will have had to pay a penny to LawAlliance or resolve for their involvement.