The Law Society has waived time-limits on complaints related to mining compensation claims and will allow clients to approach it directly without reporting grievances to their solicitors, amid concerns from MPs that up to a quarter of damages are spent on covering legal fees in some cases.

The move came after 96 MPs signed an early day motion calling for an end to what they called the 'widespread deceitful practice' of firms claiming more than the 1,800 per case set out in a handling agreement with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The scheme covers chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and vibration white finger claims.

In a Parliamentary debate last week, MPs heard that in extreme cases, as much as 10,000 had been claimed out of 40,000 damages, with allegations that firms were cold calling former miners and bereaved families with a view to making a profit.

Labour MP Paddy Tipping argued: 'Solicitors in the handling agreement have received payments in excess of 20 million - enough is enough.'

Law Society chief executive Janet Paraskeva stressed it had received only a few complaints about miners' claims but said it would relax the complaints criteria by allowing direct contact and waiving time-limits.

'These measures will eliminate unnecessary delay and ensure that the complaints process is as accessible and simple as possible,' she said.

DTI minister Nigel Griffiths welcomed the move, but he added: 'I would also call on all those involved in handling these claims to examine their consciences when enforcing any agreements which take money from miners and their families.'

Anthony Patterson, national co-ordinator for British Coal litigation at leading trade union firm Thompsons, said it was 'deplorable' for firms to make deductions from clients' damages, especially as there was enough profit to be made under the DTI agreement if firms ran their cases efficiently.

'If there are unscrupulous firms not acting in the best interests of their clients and making these kinds of deductions from damages, we would fully support any [Law Society] initiative that helps them get justice,' he added.

By Paula Rohan