The Law Society has urged victims and families affected by last month's London bombings to only approach reputable solicitors for legal advice, amid concerns that 'ambulance chasing' claims management companies are attempting to cash in on the attacks.

The Society has complained that 'several' claims farmers have been approaching victims of the bombings - which killed 57 people on 7 July - with a view to claiming a slice of their damages.


Law Society President Kevin Martin urged anyone seeking legal help to contact its London Bombings Legal Helpline (08700 731 4796), which has 23 law firms offering pro bono advice on issues such as wills, financial problems and how to claim under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. Alternatively, they should see their own solicitor.


Mr Martin said a significant number of people had already called the helpline, but warned that 'ambulance-chasing claims management companies' were attempting to take thousands of people for a ride.


He said: 'Claims companies are trying to make money out of the bombings by luring people into agreements that will entitle the claims companies to large shares of compensation payments. Claims companies are totally unregulated. They try to appear bona fide but the truth can be very different.'


The Claims Standards Council, which is favoured to win the role of overseeing claims farmers if the government permits self-regulation of the market, warned that it would boot out any member caught employing underhand tactics.


'We are monitoring this situation and have e-mailed our members to say that if they are found to be exploiting the situation they will be expelled,' a spokesman said. 'We are advising them to urge anyone that calls them to contact the London Bombings Helpline.'


The helpline will close at the end of the month.