National firm Russell Jones & Walker (RJW) launched a fast-track compensation scheme for road traffic accidents last week, which will be open to all claimant personal injury solicitors.

Solicitors will be paid less under the Claimsense scheme than the statutory fixed fees, but the system's creators say this will be balanced by efficiency savings.


Insurer AXA has already agreed to supply claimants for the scheme, together with RJW. Claimsense is also understood to be 'in discussions' with several other insurers.


Under the scheme, which is funded by a fee paid by the insurer, claims are processed within three months. Medical assessments and rehabilitation are provided by independent accredited experts.


RJW managing partner Neil Kinsella said the system took two years to design. He said: 'The benefits to lawyers are a fully outsourced service that embraces the changes demanded by the market, with a reduction in working capital requirement.'


Lawyers would have to be satisfied that the scheme is independent, and this would be achieved by monitoring by consumer groups, he added.