Solicitors may test new regulations in court

Solicitors who specialise in personal injury claims are threatening to test the legality of new regulations - which prevent them from advertising their services - in the High Court.

Advertising by solicitors has been blamed for boosting the so-called compensation culture. From February 1, 2003 advertising by solicitors will be severely restricted.

Advertisements which highlight personal injuries and accident compensation will be outlawed by the new regulations, as will those which promise “no foal no fee” services.

The new regulations were drawn up by the Law Society and signed into law by the Minister for Justice Michael McDowell last week.