The David Hume Institute

25 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh EH8 9LN

Tel/Fax (0131) 667 9609

EMail: Hume.Institute@ed.ac.uk Internet: http://www.davidhumeinstitute.com

NEWS RELEASE

Embargoed until 30^th October 2003
AUTUMN SEMINAR SERIES 2003 - "Issues in Law"

‘The Compensation Culture - Lies, Greed and Anger in the Courts’

SPEAKERS:

Mr Frank Maguire (Solicitor-Advocate at Thompsons)

and

Mr Tony Weir (Reader in Law and Fellow at Trinity College, Cambridge)

to be held at

The Royal Society of Edinburgh, George Street, Edinburgh

6.00pm Thursday 30^th October 2003

Professor Brian Main, Director of The David Hume Institute said: "There is a general perception that the extent of personal injury litigation is on the increase. While it is generally accepted that those who have suffered an injury owing to the negligence of others should be compensated, there is some debate over whether this compensation is best effected through the legal system. The market signal that legal action (and damages) sends, does of course, provide an incentive to people and businesses to behave with due care. There are, on the other hand, substantial transaction costs involved in taking such matters through the courts.

Even if such matters are to be resolved within the legal system, there are procedural improvements that could be made to improve the efficiency of the system. These policy issues will be addressed by two experts in the area of personal injury litigation.

- ends -

Mr Tony Weir is Reader in Law and Fellow at Trinity College, Cambridge.

Mr Frank Maguire is Solicitor-Advocate at Thompsons, Glasgow

Notes to Editors:

The views that will be expressed by the speakers are their own and do not commit the Trustees or Officers of the Institute in any way.

Issued by:

The David Hume Institute, 25 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh EH8 9LN

For further information, please contact:

Catriona Laing Tel/Fax (0131) 667 9609

e-mail: Hume.Institute@ed.ac.uk