The government is to act on recommendations which seek to limit the "compensation culture" which it fears has grown out of control over recent years and is targeting lawyers advertising "no win, no fee" lawsuits.

Lord Young, a minister under Margaret Thatcher, has compiled a report which details much of the health and safety culture which has been condemned by the government and in particular highlights the advertising techniques used by many lawyers to entice members of the public to pursue personal injury and negligence cases.

In his report, to be published next month, Lord Young will condemn the way people are attracted by the promise of an instant cheque. He says: "Quite apart from encouraging litigation in circumstances when it might not otherwise occur, claims go to the solicitor who pays the most, rather than the one most suitable for the client, sometimes even if their practice is far away from their client."

His report will argue that current restrictions do not go far enough and he calls for new controls on the volume and contents of adverts. He also attacks the way that a climate of fear has developed in which well meaning people are increasingly being deterred from organising voluntary activities due to a fear of being sued if an accident happens and calls on the government to be ready to clarify the law so that there would be no liability on such people unless negligence can be proved.