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I entered legal practice as a paralegal in 6 years ago. At that time, these types of claims were almost unheard of. Then the government began a programme of fixing costs in relation to RTAs and, later, EL PL claims. Then, almost out of the blue, claims management firms (law firms which depend on CMCs) became the crusaders for justice of people who suffered a tummy ache abroad or people who have allegedly suffered hearing loss in jobs back in the 70s but never bothered to see a GP until cold called by a CMC. Obviously the only reason why these claim farming Solicitors are pursuing this work is because they attract assessed costs. Access to justice has nothing to do with it.

These holiday claims represent the English and Welsh legal profession at its worse. The clients are typical participants on the Jeremy Kyle show using our treasured system of justice to make a quick pay out in cahoots with disgusting claims management companies; the Solicitors play along in order to get their hourly rate costs on a 'no questions' asked basis. As usual, the genuine claimants lose out. However, the most important casualty in this repulsive scam are hardworking families who will have to pay more for their holidays. To their credit, the hotels and tour operators are fighting back. We can expect contempt proceedings and SRA referrals where appropriate.

For the record, I act exclusively for the injured across the sprectum of personal injury claims. However, unlikely many of my counteparts in this field, I actually care about integrity, justice and the reputation of the Courts and the legal profession.