Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
BT granted ABS approval
BT is set to target the motor claims industry having been granted approval by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to operate an Alternative Business Structure.
Law Society warns unrated insurers are 'unknown quantity'
Solicitors have been warned to check the financial strength of an insurer and its ability to pay claims before purchasing their next professional indemnity insurance policy.
Lyons Davidson rules out Admiral sale
Admiral is in negotiations over a non-exclusive collaboration with law firm Lyons Davidson, Post understands.
Admiral in Lyons Davidson acquisition talks
Motor insurer Admiral is in talks to purchase law firm Lyons Davidson according to press reports.
SRA embraces referral fees ban for PI cases
The Solicitors Regulation Authority board will amend the Solicitors Code of Conduction to incorporate the ban on referral fees in personal injury cases.
SRA awards 74 ABS licences in a year
The Solicitors Regulation Authority expects further applications for alternative business structures in 2013, as existing ABSs continue to develop the range and type of business services offered.
SRA publishes list of European qualifying insurers
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has released information about insurers based in Europe and elsewhere that have signed up to the SRA's Qualifying Insurers Agreement.
Quindell granted ABS licence
Quindell Portfolio has secured an alternative business structure licence for legal services which will allow it to complete the purchase of personal injury specialist Silverbeck Rymer.
Abbey secures ABS licence
Abbey Protection Group has been granted an alternative business structure licence by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
XL named as largest solicitors' PI provider
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has named XL as the largest player in the solicitors' professional indemnity insurance market.
SRA warns industry to take new referral fee rules seriously
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has warned the industry that it will clamp down on any firms that breach new rules governing referral fees due to come into force in April.
BGL Group to target Brazil, India and Turkey as it seeks to widen footprint
Compare The Market parent BGL Group is eyeing opportunities to extend its aggregator reach into Brazil, India and Turkey, according to chief executive Peter Winslow.
Solicitors PI market: What now for solicitor PI?
The much-maligned Assigned Risk Pool may be set to close in September 2013, but the solicitors’ professional indemnity market still faces issues as 'aggressive' new entrants target the market. What does its future hold?
Analysts sceptical over reported success of RBS' Direct Line Group float
Analysts have expressed scepticism at the professed success of the Direct Line Group float, after reports that the insurer’s parent, Royal Bank of Scotland, found buyers for the full 33% of stock available within three days of its initial marketing drive.
Saga teams up with Parabis to offer legal services
Saga and Parabis have extended their partnership to offer a range of legal services, while Saga waits for the Solicitors Regulation Authority's decision on its own alternative business structure application.
Lemma Insurance to be appointed with liquidator tomorrow
Gibraltar-based Lemma Insurance Company is expected to be appointed with a provisional liquidator tomorrow to wind up the business.
Alternative Business Structures: a blueprint for change?
Despite the possibilities presented by Alternative Business Structures, there has been only a muted response from the insurance industry thus far.
Insurers duck Admiral warning on 'killer' referral fees
Insurers have reiterated their support for the scrapping of referral fees, following remarks made by Admiral chief executive Henry Engelhardt that the incoming ban will be a "killer" for his competitors.
Elite targets £3m premium with solicitors' PI proposition
Legal expenses provider and general insurer Elite Insurance has extended its specialist portfolio of services for the legal sector by launching professional indemnity insurance for solicitors.
Forum of Insurance Lawyers: 20 years of Foil
Two decades after its inception, the Forum of Insurance Lawyers is still going strong. But with the legal and insurance industries standing on the brink of radical change, how will the body evolve from here?
Consultation into claims management regulation set to receive muted response
The consultation into how claims management companies are regulated is expected to be met with apathy from legal bosses, amid concerns that their views will be ignored, according to the Motor Accident Solicitors Society.
SRA to introduce rating disclosure change
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has agreed to a 'minor change' to the Qualifying Insurer's Agreement whereby insurers will have to disclose their credit ratings.
RICS proposes changes to PI contracts for surveyors
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has proposed changes to professional indemnity insurance arrangements for surveyors who carry out valuations.
Editor's comment: Anti-climaxes and last laughs
Based on the column inches of coverage generated by alternative business structures since their advent was announced, the revelation that a mere seven firms have secured such status in a full six months smacks of anticlimax.