By: 25 February 2014

First4Lawyers has said that it is to open up its panel for the first time to meet growing demand and to open up opportunities for smaller personal injury (PI) firms.

 

The CMC has grown its panel through recommendation from industry peers up until now, but has decided to begin accepting applications from firms with a turnover in excess of £2.5m.

 

It says that it wants to "bolster confidence within smaller firms" and demonstrate that the future of PI was not "solely in the hands of the large practices".

 

“Our decision to open up the panel will benefit those smaller firms that have managed to effectively navigate the legislation changes post-LASPO but want to improve their access to potential clients," said business development head Chris Rodgers.

 

"These firms have proven adaptable and able to provide a service that clients still want, despite the reforms. We see no reason why they should be muscled out of the market because they lack the marketing power of larger practices."

 

First4lawyers’ high profile TV campaign fronted by sports personality, turned TV presenter, Andrew Castle has fuelled rapid growth for the business over the last two years.

 

“There remains no shortage of claims out there and the LASPO reforms have not altered the fact that our collective marketing scheme is one of the most effective ways to attract them," added Rodgers.

 

First4Lawyers was crowned Claims Management Company of the Year in 2013 at the Eclipse Proclaim Personal Injury Awards for the second year running.