The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) is a not-for-profit organisation comprising about 3,800 personal injury solicitors, barristers, academics and students.
The association was founded in 1990 by a group of barristers and solicitors who wished to improve the services provided for victims of negligence. Its four founders are Rodger Pannone, Michael Napier CBE, John Melville Williams QC, and Simon Walton.
Video Association of Personal Injury Lawyers
Accreditation
APIL runs an accreditation scheme which assesses personal injury lawyers according to their expertise and experience. Lawyers who gain this accreditation kitemark have at least five years' experience of handling personal injury claims, and are known as senior litigators, fellows or senior fellows, depending on the amount of experience they have. The scheme is overseen by an independent Academic Quality Council.
All APIL members are bound to abide by a code of conduct and consumer charter.
Maps Association of Personal Injury Lawyers
Campaigns
APIL holds regular meetings with Government ministers, MPs, civil servants and opinion formers on campaigns for reform in the law, including:
- A campaign to deter motorists from driving too close to the vehicle in front in a bid to prevent low-speed collisions and whiplash injuries. At the centre of the Back Off campaign is an animation called "A Lesson In Social Graces".
- Lobbying for full and fair compensation for victims of workplace diseases.
Key aims
Primary services and aims of the APIL are:
- Promote and maintain a directory of local personal injury attorneys
- Promote full and just compensation for all types of personal injury
- Promote and develop expertise in the practice of personal injury law
- Promote wider redress for personal injury in the legal system
- Campaign for improvements in personal injury law
- Promote safety standards and alert the public to hazards
- Provide a communication network for its members
Structure
APIL is governed by 18 elected executive committee members. The committee is led by a president, vice president, secretary and treasurer.
The current president is Brett Dixon.
References
External links
- Official website