Sometimes the claimant personal injury industry can suffer from a bit of a bad rep. So Obiter was intrigued to learn of a documentary – Scams, Claims and Compensation Games – to be screened next week on Channel 4. The programme delves into the multi-billion-pound industry to examine who are the winners and losers in Britain’s compensation culture.

Obiter managed to secure a sneaky peak of the show in advance of its airing next week, and must confess it is intriguing viewing. One of its stars is solicitor Steve Ireland, whom the programme describes as ‘father of two, science fiction nut and one of the finest claims lawyers in the business’. Ireland is head of the longstanding and respected personal injury practice at the Paul Rooney Partnership in Liverpool (the City once dubbed the compensation capital). He is a passionate defender of his industry and, despite being called an ambulance chaser, a parasite and other things he says he can’t repeat on TV, he maintains that he is fighting on for the underdog. Without Ireland to make sure there’s a level playing field, it would, he says, be like Daniel in the lion’s den for many claimants.

On the other side, we meet ex-fraud squad officer Jim Yeulet (pictured), working as a claims investigator for Lambeth Council. He spends his days measuring pavements and inspecting schools and trees, to prevent taxpayers’ money ending up in the pockets of claimant lawyers. Yeulet is not one to mince his words: ‘Lawyers always say they fight for the little man, but in the meantime they line their pockets with money from every little man that puts into the pot. It’s council tax money that they’re taking. At least Dick Turpin had the decency to wear a mask when he robbed you.’

Tune in to Cutting Edge at 9pm on Thursday 25 February.