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BMJ 2015; 351 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.h3559 (Published 01 July 2015) Cite this as: BMJ 2015;351:h3559

UK government plans to cap legal fees in clinical negligence claims: The UK government is proposing to fix legal costs for claimants’ lawyers in cases of claims up to £100 000 (€140 000; $160 000) so that the lawyer’s fee reflects a percentage of the patient’s compensation. Currently there is no limit on legal fees that can be charged, meaning that lawyers can be paid far more than the patient gets in compensation. The plan, which the government says will save the NHS up to £80m a year, has been welcomed by the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland and the Medical Defence Union.

FDA won’t restrict sales of contraceptive implant: The US Food and Drug Administration will not move to restrict sales of the Essure contraceptive implant, after two reviews of the maker Bayer’s postmarket surveillance data found no conclusive evidence of complications beyond those already mentioned in the patient information booklet. But in response to a continuing high volume of complaints from patients the FDA’s obstetrics and gynaecology devices panel will hold a meeting to review …

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