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Plain Text:- Legal Service: A New Beggining

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Date: 27th January 2004

From January 15th the Union will be dispensing with the Administration Levy which currently has a maximum of £200. This means from January the service provided for you by the Union will be entirely free.

Personal Injury
For the majority of members, personal injury claims are through Rowley Ashworth Solicitors. AA members' claims are dealt with via Thompsons Solicitors. There are also some claims dealt with by OH Parsons and Rollingsons Solicitors.
Although the majority of this service was free, up until the end of this year there had been an admin charge. Therefore, from January 2004 the service will be entirely free. This applies to any claims finalised after
31st December 2003.

This therefore represents a much better service than the ,no win no fee' option through solicitors and some personal injury companies. Members should therefore be strongly recommended to use this service.

Members are reminded that they have three years in which to make a claim from the date of the accident/injury or from their knowledge of it. The latter particularly applies in cases such as asbestosis where someone was not aware they had been exposed to asbestos.

Accidents on the Road
Members and their families are covered for any accidents on the road whether as a passenger, driver, pedestrian, cyclist, etc.. This is also a free service open to members and their families.

Again, claims must be made within 3 years.

Criminal Injury
If you are assaulted you are entitled to make a claim to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. This is another free service open to members.

Members should note that in regard to criminal injuries a claim must be made within 2 years.

Employment Law
A comprehensive employment law advice scheme exists. Matters are dealt with initially internally through organisers. Some claims at Employment Tribunal are dealt with by officers but the majority of claims are dealt with by solicitors.

Rowley Ashworth provides employment law assistance for the majority of our members, including representation at Employment Tribunal. Thompsons provide this service for our AA members.

Tied Housing
Many members live in accommodation linked to their workplace, such as premises officers, sheltered housing wardens, etc.

We provide a comprehensive advice scheme and legal assistance for members who live in tied housing. This service is provided by Rollingsons Solicitors. This again is an entirely free service to members.

Clinical Negligence
A limited clinical negligence scheme is run for us by Russell Jones & Walker Solicitors. These solicitors who are specialists in this area advise initially as to whether or not there is a potential claim If they consider there are good prospects then the claim is undertaken. Again, this is entirely free to members. (We are currently reviewing the solicitors that provide this service as the majority of the clinical negligence department has transferred to a different firm of solicitors.)

Defamation
A limited defamation scheme is run for us by Russell Jones & Walker Solicitors. These solicitors who are specialists in this area advise initially as to whether or not there is a potential claim If they consider there are good prospects then the claim is undertaken. Once again, this is entirely free to members

Immigration
Advice on immigration such as problems with visas is provided by Browell Smith Solicitors.

This service is free to members and their families.

Criminal
Advice on criminal matters is provided by Andrews Angel Solicitors in association with Thompsons.

This area includes offences under the Road Traffic Act which are of particular significance for our members who drive during the course of their occupation.

In addition, there are many of our members who work in areas where they are at risk of accusations of assault. This is particularly important within the NHS.

The majority of this service can be provided under legal aid in certain cases through the Union.

Free Will Service
Free wills are provided for members and their partners. This is done on our behalf either by Rowley Ashworth or Thompsons Solicitors.

Other Legal Matters
You are also entitled to a free half-hour advice on any legal matter that is not mentioned above, e.g.. matrimonial, disputes with neighbours, etc..

Conclusion
We believe this is the most comprehensive legal service either within the GMB or within the wider trade union movement