Product Launch

Claims Direct PLC
5 October 2000




                    CLAIMS DIRECT LAUNCHES
       NEW FUNDING PRODUCT TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO JUSTICE


Claims  Direct Plc ('Claims Direct'), the UK market leader  in
personal injury compensation, today announces the launch of  a
new  funding product for solicitors designed to improve Access
to Justice.

Accident Assist
The  removal  of  Legal Aid for personal  injury  compensation
cases has placed significant strain on the financial resources
of  many  solicitors  who were previously  dependent  on  this
funding  when  processing  cases.   Accident  Assist   is   an
innovative yet simple funding initiative that provides  up  to
£1,500 of funding for solicitors for each personal injury case
processed.   Accident  Assist  will  benefit  Claims  Direct's
clients  by  providing  their  solicitors  with  an  effective
replacement for the Legal Aid safety net making it easier  for
their personal injury cases to be accepted.

Two major UK Financial Institutions have expressed willingness
to  provide  funding  for this initiative which  will  provide
solicitors with an additional work in progress funding source.
By  providing  the means to obtain this extra funding,  Claims
Direct will access a much wider market area as solicitors will
be entitled to apply for Accident Assist regardless of whether
or  not  they  operate  within the Claims  Direct  panel.   In
addition, it will be a condition of the scheme that the Claims
Direct Protect insurance policy is used for all claims.

The  Accident  Assist  service from Claims  Direct  meets  the
Government's call for ingenuity and innovation to support  its
effort  in  providing access to justice  for  all  members  of
society.

Colin  Poole,  Chief  Executive of  Claims  Direct,  commented
'The  changes  to  the  Legal Aid system  have  made  it  more
difficult for those on lower incomes who have suffered from an
accident  as  a  result of negligence to  make  a  claim.   We
believe that Accident Assist makes it easier for solicitors to
represent these kinds of cases and promotes Access to  Justice
for all.'

'This initiative demonstrates Claims Direct's commitment to be
at  the  forefront  of  innovative  developments  designed  to
enhance its already successful formula for providing Access to
Justice in personal injury compensation cases.'


For further information, please contact:

Claims Direct Plc                                 01952 284800
Colin Poole, Chief Executive
Paul Doona, Finance Director

Golin/Harris Ludgate                             0207 253 2252
Reg Hoare
Victoria Martin