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25 August 2005 - Miners Claim Your Refund
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It has been announced by Legal Aid Minister, Bridget Prentice,
that miners who have contracted lung disease or vibration white finger due to
their employment and have paid contributions towards legal aid costs or
Government Compensation Schemes can now claim a refund for the costs incurred.
In 1999, Government Compensation Schemes were set up as an
alternative to taking such claims to court and legal representation was paid in
successful claims.
However, legal action by a number of lawyers acting on behalf of
the miners had already begun prior to the schemes' establishment and clients may
have been asked to contribute to legal aid costs.
The Legal Services Commission (LSC) say the number of claimants
is likely to be small, but the amounts contributed for them may be significant
to the people who had to contribute to the costs.
Miners who have contributed, should now contact their lawyer,
whereupon they should notify their local LSC office, that "they will not be
bringing a legal action for which they would claim legal aid."
Anyone who has paid a contribution to the costs will then be entitled to a
refund.
Ms. Bridget Prentice, Legal Aid Minister said:
"It has come to my attention that some claimants have been
asked to pay contributions towards legal aid costs when their claims were
subsequently dealt with by compensation schemes established after legal
proceedings had been started. If someone has paid out unnecessarily, then they
should check with their lawyer and contact their regional Legal Services
Commission office to ask for a refund.
"There has been enough hardship for these people. If they are
entitled to have their money repaid, then I want that to happen sooner rather
than later."
Details of local LSC offices can be accessed by clicking the
following:
Legal Services Commission Website
Article by Alexandra Johnston
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