ACCIDENT claims solicitors in York and North Yorkshire today welcomed details of a "standards charter" to protect future clients in the wake of the collapse of controversial company Claims Direct.

The charter has been drawn up by Accident Line, the freephone service which puts people seeking personal injury compensation in contact with specialist solicitors for expert advice.

It seeks to restore public confidence in taking "no win, no fee" action after Claims Direct slid into receivership with more than 60,000 customers in danger of losing personal injury payments worth up to £80 million.

Customers have been left wondering whether they are able to recover the notorious insurance charge of its "no win, no fee" service.

A BBC Watchdog programme exposed the compulsory £1,300 premium which in some cases left customers with less than two per cent of their compensation.

The organisation was later criticised for "cold calling" sales by staff who were not accredited legal experts.

The Accident Line charter insists that advice will be given only by solicitors who are accredited members of the Law Society's Personal Injury Panel - and must meet strict criteria for Accident Line selection, based on quality of work and successful track record.

Cold calling is ruled out. Members do not pay for referrals to them; nor do they receive commissions on the sale of insurance policies. Information about costs, including no win, no fee, arrangements will be given only by the member law practice and not a middle man.

Accident Line will not demand that customers buy insurance before putting them in touch with a solicitor.

The charter adds: "If you choose to use a no win, no fee arrangement with Accident Line insurance, your solicitor will retain full independent professional judgement throughout your case and will not have to refer to an insurance company before taking action on your behalf."

Richard Watson, head of civil litigation at Crombie Wilkinson in Clifford Street, York, said: "This charter emphasises that the public is best served by using quality local practitioners, particularly those who have been vetted."

Jane Radcliffe, partner at Pattinson & Brewer, of Bridge Street, York, said: "As the only firm of solicitors in the city solely dealing with personal injury, we welcome any initiative designed to protect the interests of clients."

Should anyone in York and North Yorkshire wish to make a claim through an approved specialist lawyer they can dial freephone 0800 192939.

Approved solicitors in the region are: York - Burn & Company, Harrowell Shaftoe, Crombie Wilkinson and Pattinson & Brewer; Northallerton - David J Cole & Company; Scarborough - Longstaff & Midgley; and Skipton - Savage Crangle.

Updated: 09:08 Tuesday, July 30, 2002