Legal
Legal Update: Motor's waiting game
The motor claims market is currently sitting in that state of indecision that business - and pilots - like to call ‘a holding pattern' as it awaits three major government consultations. These, to push the aviation analogy to its fullest, are hovering…
Law firm to pay Axa £70,000 after systematically inflating legal costs
Claimant law firm Asons has agreed to repay almost £70,000 to Axa after admitting to falsely and systematically inflating its legal costs.
AIG ex-CEO Greenberg settles long-running fraud case for $9m
Former AIG CEO Maurice “Hank” Greenberg, along with former chief financial officer Howard Smith, have agreed to pay $9.9m (£7.9m) to settle a 12-year old securities fraud case.
Legal expenses insurers to face hit from whiplash reforms
Firms offering legal expenses insurance could face heavy losses from "draconian" whiplash reforms.
Bila's Castle on the prospect of collective redress in the UK
The prospect of a full-blown, opt-out US class action culture, funded by a Plaintiff Bar made fat from its cut of the damages, is not one that most UK insurers would relish.
Cryonics: premium on immortality?
The world of cryonics, and the freezing of human tissue, is proving a tricky one for the insurance industry.
ABI and Apil give evidence in parliament over whiplash
Insurers and lawyers went head to head over whiplash reform at a Parliamentary committee hearing this afternoon.
Ex-Autofocus employees accused of 'industrial scale' perversion of justice
Seven former employees of Autofocus were accused of doctoring credit hire rate evidence to defend insurers in court.
Legal Update: Discount rate review will increase cost of claims
The summer of 2001 saw Tony Blair and Labour elected for a second term, the London Stock Exchange go public, and Lance Armstrong win his third Tour de France. It is also when the discount rate was last reviewed and set at 2.5% by the then Lord Chancellor…
Autofocus trial over 'widespread perversion of justice' begins
A trial against seven former Autofocus employees for contempt of court began today at the Royal Courts of Justice.
Government to rule on personal injury role of CMCs
The government is set to decide whether claims management companies are allowed to continue operating in the personal injury sector.
Post Power List 2017: Bruce Hepburn
CEO, Mactavish
Chair John O'Roarke hails 'exciting opportunities' as Horwich Farrelly unveils record turnover
The chairman of specialist insurance industry law firm Horwich Farrelly has declared its growth in turnover and instructions as a sign of its growing “credibility” in its chosen markets.
Hill Dickinson and Laracy & Co. to formally merge in Hong Kong
International law firm Hill Dickinson's formal merger with Hong Kong firm Laracy & Co. has been approved by the Law Society of Hong Kong to begin 1 April.
Zurich loses court case due to 'ambiguous' policy wording
Zurich has lost a court case against Maccaferri Limited on the grounds that its notification clause wording was too ‘ambiguous’.
Legal Update: D&O liability, data protection and the avoiding of bogles
Scots worldwide are preparing to celebrate the works of poet Robert Burns. Two lines from his famous poem Tam o'Shanter will be spoken at many events: "Gathering her brows like gathering storm, nursing her wrath to keep it warm".
Four insurance law firms form global network
DAC Beachcroft has joined three other insurance law firms to make a global network.
Insurers raise ‘serious concerns’ over Scottish child abuse reforms
Law change could open floodgates to historic claims
ABI loses appeal on discount rate review
The Association of British insurers has lost an appeal to government on the judicial review on changes to the discount rate for personal injury damages.
Blog: Let's create a cross-industry body to push anti-fraud reforms
Personal injury and insurers should create a cross-industry body to see through the various anti-fraud reforms and restore trust in the sector.
Europe: Falling foul of the defamation minefield
The availability of defamation cover in the US has driven the market in Europe, but claims are moving from libel to privacy.
Electronic trading: What is good form online?
The growth in online communications makes BT's strapline ‘It's good to talk' seem dated, but anyone who has had to lift a phone to unravel a burgeoning misunderstanding in an email can appreciate its spirit.
Legal Update: Getting your wordings right for the Insurance Act
The insurance market has been living with the Insurance Act 2015 for nearly six months. It is too early to draw firm conclusions about how the Act may impact claims but there is ample evidence that the Act is affecting risk placement and contract terms…
XL Catlin's Paul Greensmith on the fairness the Insurance Act has brought
They say all is fair in love and football but what about insurance?