News

9 June 2008

Judges Announced for New Personal Injury Awards

A varied line-up of eminent names from the personal injury sector has been announced as judges* for the Eclipse Proclaim Personal Injury Awards. This brand new awards scheme, which is aimed at raising standards and recognising excellence within the personal injury sector, is also being supported by the Bodily Injury Claims Management Association (BICMA).

The panel of judges consists of a host of leading industry insiders and representatives of professional bodies providing expertise in insurance, law, rehabilitation and medicine. Awards judge, Norman Cottington, President of BICMA and Chairman of The Injury Care Clinics comments, "Currently, there are insurance awards and rehabilitation awards, but nothing specifically designed to identify and promote good practice in the personal injury sector. After being involved in PI for over 40 years, I am delighted to be invited to be a judge for these awards which I believe will help to raise awareness of the excellent work being carried out within the industry. So, whether you want to nominate a colleague, an organisation or even yourself, fill in the on-line nomination form now!"

Fellow awards judge, Tony Goff, Chairman of Motor Accident Solicitors Society (MASS), shares his view, "I think it's high time that there were awards for personal injury lawyers and all those involved in claims. I feel honoured to be invited to be a judge."

The awards are open to individuals and companies working in the personal injury sector including solicitors, barristers, insurers, rehabilitation providers, claims management companies and other associated services. They will culminate in a prestigious ceremony and dinner at the Café Royal, London, on Tuesday 4th November.

Nominees are invited to enter any of the 13 categories: Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year (claimant); Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year (defendant); Personal Injury Team of the Year; Claims Management Company of the Year; Insurance Claims Handler of the Year (minor claims); Insurance Claims Handler of the Year (serious claims); ATE Insurance Broker of the Year; Medical Agency of the Year; Rehab Provider of the Year; Barrister of the Year; Barristers' Chambers of the Year; Outstanding Case of the Year; and Innovation Award. In addition, an award for Outstanding Achievement will be presented to either an individual or an organisation.

The awards have been launched by Barker Brooks Media, the company behind the popular Legal & Medical and Claims Management magazines as well as a host of conferences designed for the PI sector. The deadline for entries is 29th August 2008. Nomination forms are available on-line from www.legal-medical.co.uk/piawards/ for all nomination enquiries, please contact Julia Todd on (01423) 851157 or julia.todd@barkerbrooks.co.uk.

The headline sponsor of the awards is Eclipse Legal Systems. Other sponsors include Kindertons Accident Management; Mobile Doctors; Nuffield Diagnostics; TICCS; ISO; Doctors Chambers; and Alexander Samuel. Further opportunities are available to sponsor some of the individual awards. For further information, contact Kate McKittrick at Barker Brooks (01423) 851150 or kate.mckittrick@barkerbrooks.co.uk .

Notes to Editors * The panel of judges comprises:

Justin Jacobs, Director of Liability Insurance for ABI
Joe Pendle, Director of Client Services for Insurance Services Office (ISO)
Michael Napier, CBE QC, Senior Partner of Irwin Mitchell
Helen Spillards, Board member of Case Management Society UK (CMSUK)
Neil Beck, CEO of Alexander Samuel
Bippon Vinyak, Director of Doctors Chambers
Tony Goff, Chairman of Motor Accident Solicitors Society (MASS)
Hilary Meredith, Senior Partner at Hilary Meredith Solicitors, and Senior Fellow of Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL)
Norman Cottington, President of BICMA and Chairman of The Injury Care Clinics
Professor Robert Douglas, Chairman of The Society of Expert Witnesses
Matthew Game, Chief Executive of Mobile Doctors.

For further press information, please contact: Susan Reid or Jane Burgess Barker Brooks PR (01423) 851150, susan.reid@barkerbrooks.co.uk or jane.burgess@barkerbrooks.co.uk