Legal
Uptick in CMC activity predicted as insurers eye long-term motor rate reductions
Insurers have widely committed to pass on savings set to flow from the government’s heightened whiplash reforms, despite a predicted surge of activity among claims management companies in the interim period.
Industry disputes claimant solicitor criticism of move to 'care, not cash' claims model
Criticism of the government’s acceleration of personal injury reforms in the motor market by the claimant legal fraternity has been dismissed by the wider insurance industry, which has welcomed a shift in claims from cash to care.
Insurers to discuss unscrupulous solicitors with SRA next month
Talks between the Solicitors Regulation Authority and a handful of insurers to discuss the legal watchdog’s regulation of solicitors suspected to be facilitating fraud have been set for 9 December, Post understands.
Blog: £700m earmarked for court efficiency reforms in the Spending Review
Chancellor George Osborne yesterday brought to an end speculation about whether funds for radical technology-driven reform to the court service would be made available.
Cloud insurance uptake set to increase in light of FCA consultation
A Financial Conduct Authority consultation giving guidance to financial services firms outsourcing to the cloud should result in more insurance industry players using the technology, commentators predict.
Parabis exodus continues as PI teams defect to Horwich Farrelly
Parabis Group has seen seven partners and 36 other lawyers and support staff move to Horwich Farrelly, as the beleaguered business continues to downsize.
Trade Voice: All change
With the Insurance Act and several important decisions in the courts, it’s been a busy year legally speaking
Legal update: Late revival but early introduction?
The market needs to consider the impact of late payment provisions now, says Nick Young
Yorkshire broking boss cleared of careless driving charge
Broker boss Sean McClarron has been cleared of a death by careless driving charge.
Quiz of the week - 20 November
Test your knowledge of the week's insurance news, with the Post insurance quiz of the week.
Legal implications cited by insurers amid complex policy wording criticism
Insurers should be cautious about watering down legal policy wordings to make the documents easier to read, commentators have warned, despite new research showing one-third of policies are written for those with a university-equivalent reading level.
Career File: Duncan Rutter: DAC Beachcroft partner becomes Foil president
DAC Beachcroft partner Duncan Rutter has vowed to maintain access to justice and improve the claims process after becoming the 20th president of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers.
Companies warned to prepare for steeper fines and custodial sentences for H&S breaches
Companies and individuals convicted of health and safety offences will respectively face steeper fines and be subject to custodial sentences when new sentencing guidelines come into effect in February 2016, according to law firm Kennedys.
Parabis Group confirms Plexus sale to original founders
Parabis Group has confirmed it is selling its defendant and consumer law firms to a consortium of private individuals led by two of its original founders.
FCA paves way for insurers to take advantage of cloud services
The Financial Conduct Authority says there is no "fundamental reason" why cloud computing cannot be used by financial services companies in a manner that complies with its rules.
First 4 Lawyers fears 'unintended consequences' of CMC regulation
The Ministry of Justice must focus on claims management companies in the financial products market in its review of CMC regulation and not impinge on the wider claims management sector, according to First 4 Lawyers.
Rutter to fight rising court fees after becoming twentieth Foil president
DAC Beachcroft partner Duncan Rutter has vowed to maintain access to justice and improve the claims process after today (12 November) becoming the twentieth president of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers.
DAS Law confirms Christacos as permanent MD
Acting head of DAS Law James Christacos has been confirmed as permanent managing director of the business.
Fraud specialists urge importance of mutually beneficial IFB affiliate model
Fraud experts have urged the Insurance Fraud Bureau to ensure its proposed affiliate membership model is mutually beneficial to existing and prospective members and that data security sits at the heart of the initiative.
Legal Update: A more level playing field?
Recent cases indicate a more robust court approach to vicarious liability, says Alastair Gillespie.
Interview: Duncan Rutter: A busy year coming
High-profile reviews impacting the legal sector and the ongoing fight against fraud promise to keep incoming Forum of Insurance Lawyers president Duncan Rutter busy during his year in office. Post caught up with him to discuss his plan of action.
IFB launches affiliate membership consultation
The Insurance Fraud Bureau has taken a step towards extending its services to defendant lawyers, private investigators and other industry suppliers, by launching a consultation on affiliate membership.
Trade Voice: Freezing out the cold callers
Insurers and lawyers must work together to tackle bad behaviour from claims management companies.
Swinton appoints Carpenters Law as claims handler
Swinton has appointed Carpenters Law as its claims handling partner, replacing Slater & Gordon.