If excessive damages were not awarded, clients would not wish lawyers to pursue silly claims, and lawyers would have to charge the clients for doing so, so silly claims would only be pursued by the rich.

Alternatively, if legal aid were not awarded for pursuing silly claims, then lawyers would have to charge the clients for doing so, so silly claims would only be pursued by the rich.

Lawyers are not supposed to advise clients "it is not just to pursue your claim" but "it is/is not probably cost effective to pursue your claim".

Plenty lawyers take "pro bono" cases, for no or little fee, because they think it is their duty to do so.


And, re MacDonalds, the US law of contributory negligence must differ substantially from the UK law on the same topic.