I have been a member of APIL almost since it was founded (membership number 241!), but there is plenty of life in the old dog yet. I am a Senior Litigator/Accredited Clinical Negligence specialist with APIL and solicitor consultant with Scott-Moncrieff & Associates Ltd. Like most of the firm’s lawyers I now work from home (North Norfolk for me). For at least the last 25 years I have exclusively handled clinical negligence and/or multi-party cases (I was involved in running claims involving Opren, vaccines, Gulf War and organophosphates).
I feel strongly that the public is being shafted by this and previous governments. No recent ‘reform’ has ever enhanced access to justice for victims of personal injury. I suspect that it is the government’s agenda to impoverish and disempower solicitors. Funding litigation is vital.
We need a strong APIL to enable us to fight strongly and effectively for our clients but we need to fight alongside APIL and not simply blame it for each further onslaught by governments.
What skills can I bring? Apart from knowing a thing about litigation I offer communication skills and a spot of wisdom. I have contributed hundreds of articles to Solicitors Journal (a selection of which is contained my book the Savage Poodle). I broadcast regularly live on legal matters on local radio (BBC Radio Norfolk). I am on the Law Society Council (representing Norfolk).
I have for the past 20+ years been a carer for my step-daughter (seriously disabled through medical negligence and still needing 24/7 care), so I have daily experience of the enduring consequences of serious clinical negligence.
If any of these attributes are helpful, then I am happy to throw in my pennyworth on the Executive Committee. If not, you can at least buy my book on Amazon!