The Association of Consumer Support Organisations (ACSO) has announced six new members.
Executive director Matthew Maxwell Scott said the trade association, which represents the interests of consumers in the civil justice system and those organisations who support them, is aiming to secure at least 50 members from across the claims sector by the end of this year.
The new members are:
- St John’s Buildings Chambers in the North, one of the UK’s largest and most prestigious barristers’ sets
- Leigh Day, established in 1987 and now one of the world’s leading claimant solicitors
- Plantec, part of Kindertons Accident Management and specialists in motorcycle hire and repair
- Coral Insurance, a specialist LEI MGA and part of BGL
- Hilary Meredith, leading injury solicitors
- Nick Brisland Trust, a charity that campaigns on behalf of motorcyclists
Mr Maxwell Scott said: “We are thrilled to welcome our new members from across the claims spectrum. They include some leading names in their fields and we look forward to representing their interests and their customers in Westminster, with regulators, in the media and among the public at large.
“ACSO is on a mission to de-toxify the claims culture in the UK, and make it clear that, when things go wrong for a citizen through no fault of their own, it is appropriate and reasonable to expect some form of redress. We will work with all parties to secure a better deal for customers in the civil justice system, and defend them when their rights are threatened.”
Paul Taylor, managing director of Plantec Assist, said: “We are delighted to become members of ACSO, which we believe will spearhead a sea-change in how our sector conducts itself in the public arena.”
Andrew Bradley, partner at Leigh Day, said: “During the last ten years the claims industry has been fighting rearguard actions against a tsunami of reform, most of which have reduced or blunted access to justice for ordinary people. We welcome ACSO’s absolute focus on what’s best for customers, and look forward to partnering with them and other members to help shape the UK’s claims environment for the 2020s.”
David Anderson, head of corporate services at St John’s Chambers said: “We support ACSO because it is a body that represents all parts of our industry, speaking with a united voice and co-operating to get the best deal for customers.”