In “No win, no fee … no fair” (30 July, page 34) Sian Evans mentioned the pre-action protocol on disrepair and said she hoped it would minimise the number of “no win, no fee” claims, thus saving social landlords legal costs.
The guidance to the protocol, issued under the civil procedure rules, specifically mentions the desirability of exploring alternative dispute resolution before the parties start legal proceedings.
For cases involving social landlords in England the guidance particularly mentions the Housing Ombudsman as the option that should be considered before litigation.
Landlords should bear this in mind when instructing solicitors.
The ombudsman can deal more effectively with inflated claims that have little to do with tenants’ rights and more to do with shark paralegal practices.
Source
Housing Today
Postscript
Rafael Runco, deputy ombudsman, Housing Ombudsman Service
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