Russell Jones & Walker to woo Claims Direct backers

RE-BRANDED: personal injury firm to run troubled business

Personal injury firm Russell Jones & Walker has snapped up the rights to operate the Claims Direct business, it emerged this week, and has indicated that it is set to invite other firms to jump on board.

The firm has paid an undisclosed sum for the re-branded company - New Claims Direct - and will run the venture via a call centre based at the firm's Birmingham office, which will be linked by telephone and Internet to its nine other regional branches.

The firm said it embarked on the project as the courts had recently cleared up much confusion over what insurance costs could be recovered in successful cases, and will now aim to give claimants 100% of the compensation they are awarded.

Personal injury head Neil Kinsella said that although it was still early days, the firm anticipated opening the scheme to other firms.

'We are going to see how it goes - but we are interested to hear from other firms with a similar approach and who see this as a model to work under,' he explained.

The firm will not be covering liabilities or claims associated with the 'old' Claims Direct.

Mr Kinsella said he was optimistic that it had also avoided inheriting the negative reputation of the former company.

'It is important that we emphasise that this is a new service,' he said.

'We hope and are confident that we can get that positive message across.'

Paula Rohan