The leader of the UK's biggest claimant representative group has said it is a 'mystery' why regulators have opted not to ban inducements for personal injury claims.

Deborah Evans, chief executive of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, stated that her group was opposed to cash incentives in advance for PI cases.

In a rare example of consensus, the ban is supported by both defendant and claimant representatives.

But the Solicitors Regulation Authority stands by its reluctance to implement a ban, saying there is no evidence that consumers are harmed by the practice.

Evans (pictured), writing in her regular blog on the APIL website, said the SRA's stance came as 'something of a surprise' given that the Claims Management Regulation Unit had already banned claims management companies from offering incentives.

She said: 'Personal injury law and practice has struggled with its reputation both in the media and the eye of the public, despite doing sterling work for injured people.

'The reputation suffers because of the visible signals that firms display on billboards and in their advertising.

'A quick internet search reveals firms are willing to offer £1,000 up front, £1,500 up front, and £100 and £200 "cash bonuses" on top of damages. Such advertising does little to portray the solicitor as ethical and honest - it is, to be frank, tacky.'

Evans explained that giving the impression of 'easy money' would create an environment that attracts fraud - particularly if payments are made before any medical.

Cash inducements would also encourage claimants to choose their representative because of financial gain rather than their qualities as a solicitor.

Evans said these types of incentives distort competition between firms that choose not to offer them and those that do.

'Many ethical firms would shy away from such incentives - rightly so - and the SRA has put them at a competitive disadvantage with this decision. We believe firmly that cash inducements should be banned.'