NO WIN, NO FEE

BBC2, Wednesdays, 7pm

I am not sure what prompted the BBC to set its latest fly-on-the-wall documentary in a solicitors’ office, but it does make strangely compelling viewing. Of course, this is no ordinary solicitors’ practice – this is the home of Amelans, self-styled rottweilers of the personal injury industry.

There is quite a strong animal motif throughout, although perhaps something of an identity crisis: as well as rottweilers, we are treated to coiled vipers and a poster with a giant crocodile’s eye.


Is this series a good advert for personal injury lawyers? Undoubtedly it does dispel some of the myths about how stuffy and unapproachable solicitors are.


The office is high-tech and open plan; the staff are informal and nicknames abound – the line ‘Buddha is off to court’ stuck in my mind.


The complete series will tell us whether there is too much focus on the money Amelans makes from each case. That is certainly a constant theme, right from the opening scene of Andrew Twambley (above, left) sniffing an envelope containing a large cheque.


The scramble to sign up a new, potentially lucrative, case may also not fit public perceptions of how lawyers do business, but overall I also got a clear message of client service. Andrew’s statement that his clients should get all their damages could have been better rehearsed, but after the public fiasco of The Accident Group and Claims Direct, the message will be clear enough.


This being Amelans, there are predictable pops at accident management companies and insurers. An extreme case shows ‘Buddha’ (aka head of costs Paul Kimber), in the role of local boy made good, seeing off the insurers with their fancy London counsel at a costs hearing. However, as well as the obvious front for the cameras, we do get beneath the skin: a potential trainee bears the brunt of Mr Twambley’s obsession with punctuality on her first day.


As the series develops, there may be unexpected stars. Watch out for the country and western singer, shot by a miniature cannon while performing at a local club (and the bemused reaction of the solicitor sent to interview her, when he witnesses the closing ceremony at a line dancing evening).


The faintly cheesy music and the hand-held camera style are reminiscent of the hit series ‘The Office’, but although the BBC have obviously looked for similarities and some of the scenes are distinctly David Brent, I don’t see a BAFTA replacing the bayonet on Amelans’ trophy table just yet. Do watch the series though: your clients will be judging you by it.


Andrew Parker is head of strategic litigation at national law firm Beachcroft Wansbroughs, and was the defendant solicitor in some of the high-profile cases on conditional fee agreements brought by Amelans