Criminal Conviction
Phil Shiner, the former human rights solicitor struck off in 2017, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, suspended, after pleading guilty to three counts of fraud. He had failed to disclose cold-calling and prohibited referral fee arrangements when applying for approximately £200,000 in legal aid funding for Iraq abuse claims. The sentencing judge described his offending as “thoroughly dishonest.” Sources Law Gazette: 'Thoroughly dishonest' Shiner avoids prison over legal aid fraud Legal Futures: Phil Shiner pleads guilty to legal aid fraud
Read More →Claims Management
The FCA opened an enforcement investigation into The Claims Protection Agency (TCPA), which operated under brands including “My Claim Group” and “Martin’s Tips” for motor finance commission claims. TCPA was subject to voluntary requirements halting all new client onboarding and advertising. Its judicial review challenge against the FCA was dismissed by the High Court in October 2025. Sources FCA opens investigation into claims management company
Read More →Cavity Wall Insulation
SSB Law (Sheffield), a specialist in high-volume cavity wall insulation claims, entered administration with debts exceeding £200 million. Thousands of former clients were pursued for substantial adverse legal costs despite “no win, no fee” assurances. The SRA placed interim restrictions on four solicitors and issued disqualification orders against two non-solicitor directors — the most serious non-solicitor sanction available. Sources SRA: Cavity wall insulation claims handled by SSB Group Law Gazette: SRA ready to move on SSB prosecutions
Read More →Criminal Conviction
The ICO’s largest-ever nuisance call investigation resulted in the conviction of 13 individuals for a conspiracy to steal personal data from over 400 vehicle repair garages. Approximately one million records were accessed and sold to claims management firms to generate personal injury leads. Convictions came at Bolton Crown Court, with sentences including suspended prison terms. A second phase of prosecutions targeting individuals in insurance companies and CMCs is ongoing. Sources ICO: Fines of £225,000 for nuisance marketing messages
Read More →Mass Claims
The SRA has introduced mandatory compliance declarations for over 700 law firms handling high-volume consumer claims. This follows a thematic review of 129 firms managing more than 2.4 million claims, which found widespread failures: only 11 of 25 visited firms could demonstrate sharing required client care information, only 12 had shared costs information, and there were systemic failures in client identification and sanctions screening. At least 95 investigations into 76 firms are now open. Sources SRA acts on concerns about law firm practices on high-volume claims Law Gazette: High-volume claims outfits must declare they understand the rules
Read More →Data Protection
Allay Claims was fined £120,000 by the Information Commissioner’s Office for sending over 4 million unlawful marketing texts about PPI tax refund claims. The messages generated more than 46,000 spam complaints. The ICO has now received over 230,000 complaints about unsolicited marketing linked to motor finance claims since January 2025. Sources ICO: Fines of £225,000 for nuisance marketing messages
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