ACSO lands six new members and aims for 50

The Association of Consumer Support Organisations (ACSO) has expanded its membership with the addition of several new members.

St John’s Buildings Barrister’s Chambers, Leigh Day, Plantec Assist, Coral Insurance, Hilary Meredith Solicitors and motorcyclist charity Nick Brisland Trust have all joined the trade association.

Executive director Matthew Maxwell Scott said the trade association, which represents the interests of consumers in the civil justice system and those organisations that support them, is aiming to secure at least 50 members from across the claims sector by the end of this year.

Current ACSO members include DAS UK, ARAG and Slater and Gordon.

Maxwell Scott (pictured) said: “We are thrilled to welcome our new members from across the claims spectrum. They include some leading names in their fields and we look forward to representing their interests and their customers in Westminster, with regulators, in the media and among the public at large.”

“ACSO is on a mission to de-toxify the claims culture in the UK, and make it clear that, when things go wrong for a citizen through no fault of their own, it is appropriate and reasonable to expect some form of redress. We will work with all parties to secure a better deal for customers in the civil justice system, and defend them when their rights are threatened.”

Paul Taylor, managing director of Plantec Assist, which is part of Kindertons Accident Management and specialises in motorcycle hire and repair, said: “We are delighted to become members of ACSO, which we believe will spearhead a sea-change in how our sector conducts itself in the public arena.”

Andrew Bradley, partner at law firm Leigh Day, said: “During the last ten years the claims industry has been fighting rearguard actions against a tsunami of reform, most of which have reduced or blunted access to justice for ordinary people. We welcome ACSO’s absolute focus on what’s best for customers, and look forward to partnering with them and other members to help shape the UK’s claims environment for the 2020s.”

David Anderson, head of corporate services at St John’s Buildings, added: “We support ACSO because it is a body that represents all parts of our industry, speaking with a united voice and co-operating to get the best deal for customers.”

Mark Dugdale