A solicitor group fighting the insurance company practice of ‘capturing’ personal injury clients is to meet the Ministry of Justice next week.

The Accident Compensation Solicitors Group, founded in November 2008 by Saffora Choudri of Middlesex firm SC Law, Elaine Hughes of Humberside firm Barton Solicitors and Robert Webb of Lincolnshire firm HSR Law, says that insurers pressurise claimants into using their panel solicitors rather than independent practitioners. The group says this is contrary to practice rule 1, the right to choose one’s own solicitor. Next week it will lobby the MoJ for help enforcing this right.

The group, which has recruited 17 member firms, has already spoken on the subject to shadow junior justice minister Sir Henry Bellingham and the Association of British Insurers.