The British Medical Association (BMA) has launched a ground-breaking legal service to serve the needs of its 160,000-plus members.
BMA Law, which has been granted ABS status, is an independent law firm offering expert, sector specific legal advice. It has been set up with the help of Viv Du-Feu, partner at Cardiff commercial law firm, Capital Law, and director of legal services at the BMA.
Du-Feu says: “The aim of BMA Law is to create a ‘one-stop shop’ for our members. We believe that we are best placed to help with the provision of legal services. We are at the coalface of member issues and therefore understand the concerns facing those operating in the medical profession, feeding back into the political sphere as required.”
The firm will operate on a not-for-profit basis, ploughing any profits back into the BMA.
Andrew Brown, a specialist in commercial disputes and a partner at Capital Law, will lead the BMA Law work at the firm. He said BMA Law would handle lease negotiations, draft documents governing the ownership of practices and conduct dispute resolution, among other services..
Philippa Luscombe, partner at Penningtons Manches, says: “In our experience often those ‘at the coalface’ have concerns or suggestions about systems and patient safety but simply can’t find a way to have their input taken heed of—we have all seen the coverage regarding whistleblowers and how they have been treated.
“For doctors to have somewhere to go to seek advice on situations they are concerned about can only be a good thing. Better support in dealing with their employment conditions and problems when they arise should help to draw attention to system or management failures—again which only benefits patients. Our view therefore is that something like BMA Law could have a real benefit in improving day to day medical care—and in turn reducing avoidable injury and claims.”
