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Elizabeth Smith10 November 2014 11:33 am - WELL SAID!

There appears to be a presumption that all MacKenzie Friends are unqualified and incapable. Given the destruction unleashed on the PI industry, my firm is having to dramatically downsize. As a partner, I had an option to stay, but the risk is huge, especially with the MOJ refusing to rule out the Small Claims limit rise, and which, let's face it, will probably happen. So I have reluctantly opted to leave. As a partner and 15 year qualified FILEX, I flatter myself that I am neither incapable nor unqualified. It seems to me that, unless I want to launch myself into the firestorm that is claimant PI litigation again, I could better use my legal skills in helping people in other ways, and the MacKenzie Friend role allows us to do this. I suspect that there are hundreds of MacKenzie Friends out there who are lawyers who have found themselves unable to get jobs in practice.
I entirely accept that anyone can set up as a MacKenzie Friend, and some regulation must be a good thing. However, it dismays me that many do not recognise that some of them (shortly to be "us") are already qualified and experienced lawyers.