A number of bodies, including The Law Society and the NSPCC, have also spoken out, warning that plans could deny vulnerable children access to justice and expose them to serious risk.

Its survey of 200 advertisements found that 21 per cent were potentially ‘ageist’, while 27 per cent could be viewed as containing some form of discrimination, whether on grounds of age, sex or disability.

Steven Walker, head of the NHS Litigation Authority, spoke out as new figures for Merseyside and Cheshire show fewer claims for non-medical incidents were made in the last 12 months.

The figures – which include everything from bullying to third- party liability claims – show 261 claims were made against the region’s hospitals, down from 285 the previous year.

Yet the average amount awarded in costs was up, from £3,219 to £3,374. And the average payout also rose, from £7,655 to £8,822.

There had been concerns in some parts of the NHS that solicitors, particularly the no-win, no-fee specialists, would target the NHS as local councils began to investigate more fully the claims they received for “trips and slips�.

Experts at Brabners Chaffe Street, which runs discriminationonline.com, warns businesses found in breach of new rules could be facing compensation claims running into seven figures.

Around 950 claims have been filed since the introduction of new laws in October banning discrimination on the grounds of age, according to the Employment Tribunals Service.

They fear children will get caught up in the cross fire if new Child Support Agency (CSA) plans are implemented to name and shame fathers who do not pay their full maintenance contributions.

The setting-up of the nine-strong Agricultural Team follows a significant increase in the volume of the work from farmers and land owners worried about falling sales and greater regulation.

Spokeswoman Joanne Lomax, of Wirral law firm Lees and Partners, says: "The reality is many couples struggle to make their finances meet the running costs of two households when they divorce.

FOR many couples, deciding to separate and then divorce is a painful and emotionally draining experience, but the turmoil is often prolonged due to lengthy court battles.

However, there is an alternative, as a collective of Merseyside lawyers are eager to inform people.