Trade union specialist Thompsons has become the latest law firm to snap up a claims management company in a bid to boost business, it emerged this week.

Clear Answers, a Web and telephone-based service, generates up to 250 cases each month, although a spokeswoman said it intended to expand the service to its full potential by setting up extra Web sites. All cases coming through Clear Answers will now be handled by Thompsons lawyers based in its Leeds office.


Carolyn Hurley, Thompsons' chief financial officer, said: 'The acquisition enables us to increase access for injured people to our legal services. Clear Answers is at the forefront of Internet personal injury services.'


Thompsons is following in the footsteps of national firm Russell Jones & Walker, which has already bought up the Claims Direct brand and has now targeted National Accident Helpline (see [2005] Gazette, 28 July, 4).


However, a Thompsons spokeswoman denied it was trying to set up a similar stable, saying it was happy dealing solely through Clear Answers.