Rowe Cohen threatens action over TAG claims

PRESS REPORTS: comments by solicitor acting for ex-staff

Manchester law firm Rowe Cohen, the former claims vetter for defunct claims management operation The Accident Group (TAG), has threatened legal action after a solicitor acting for ex-TAG employees suggested in a newspaper that the firm was told to ignore vetting criteria.

Bryan Slater, a partner in Bury firm Slater Ellison, was approached by the Trades Union Congress to represent hundreds of the 2,500 TAG staff dismissed by text message after it went into administration last month.

Mr Slater, who is acting on a pro bono basis, is looking to bring claims against TAG based on an alleged failure to consult over the sackings as well as unfair dismissal actions and claims from the government for compensation.

He also alleges that TAG may have been trading wrongfully by continuing to operate even though it was aware that it would not be able to pay costs such as employees' wages.

Mr Slater also alleged in the Daily Telegraph last week that Rowe Cohen was instructed in April this year 'to ignore criteria on vetting so that as many claims as possible could be put through'.

London media firm Olswang has been instructed to act for Rowe Cohen in the matter.

Rowe Cohen partner Anthony Dennison said it categorically and strenuously denied the allegations.

He added that letters had been issued to Mr Slater and the Daily Telegraph stating that the allegations and the implications behind them were untrue, and requesting an apology and costs from both.

'We have not yet had such an apology and are considering our position with Olswang,' he said.

'We will not let this lie'.

Mr Slater said he was still investigating the possibility that TAG had been trading wrongfully but declined to comment further on the issue of Rowe Cohen.

The Daily Telegraph also had no comment.

Paula Rohan