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@ anony 16:59 & generally

this type of claim has been about a very long time - they've just been more difficult and therefore need specialists to investigate and conduct. All that has been happening recently, as with ID claims or Clin Neg claims, is that non-specialist firms are suddenly trying to say they are. And that is where the real danger in fixing costs lies - as anyone in Clin Neg will attest.

I have seen nothing but figures from Travel Companies for this alleged rise 500% rise in claims. I have yet to see evidence of wholesale fraud and so cannot comment. Touts have long been in place advertising timeshare, bars, sickness claims, and anything else they can hand out leaflets for. As with travel delays, it is just as likely these touts are doing as much to inadvertently raise awareness of the possibility of a genuine claim as anything else.

At the same time, I have seen nothing by way of calls for improvement of standards in the travel & holiday industry - indeed, anyone whom specialises in these types of claims, will attest to the "local standard" test as being one of the many hurdles to overcome in successfully bringing the claims at all.

I personally have worked with and spoken to several prominent solicitors working in Claimant claims in this field, over the last 10 years. It is no coincidence they can predict when claims will arise, and the nature of the complaints, and the cause of those - because it is the same recurring issues caused in the same resorts time after time, as the local standards simply aren't being improved or even heeded. Indeed, how and why would they, in a Europe filled with cutbacks and austerity?

Anony, your characterisation of the "type" of claimants you expect are involved, appears emotive but quite wrong - all-inclusive holidays tend to be patronised by an altogether more affluent group. Recovery of hourly rates costs relies on certain criteria being fulfilled and in how and whom one can sue.

I would hope and expect, as in any type of claim, where they are not genuine and pursued without the correct expertise and investigation, that appropriate steps are taken against the claimants and representatives alike. But I do not buy in to the hype being peddled, and bought and seemingly acted upon, without solid proof, rather than targeted campaigns and sound bites

For the record, I deal with Defendant work. Solicitors should be paid for correct application of their expertise, and at reasonable rates of remuneration; not forced out of claim types by the fixing of costs to inhibit the proper bringing of claims, which simply allows volume claims handlers to operate where experts cannot