Legal
Court rejects industrial hearing loss claim on 'constructive knowledge' clause
The Court of Appeal has ruled against a noise-induced hearing loss claimant because the man had knowledge of his impairment "considerably earlier" than when he brought proceedings against his former employer.
Solicitors faced 'less difficulty' in 'benign' PI renewals season
Despite recent volatility in the solicitors’ professional indemnity market, most firms had less difficulty renewing their cover this year, according to a survey of managing partners.
North of the Border: Changes to Health & Safety Act
Section 69 of the Enterprise and Regulatory Act 2013 amended section 47 of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 for accidents occurring after 1 October 2013.
Cornwall man gets suspended sentence in Axa fraud case
A Cornwall man was found guilty of fraudulently attempting to claim £100,000 damages from Axa for an alleged workplace injury.
ABS licensing change approved by LSB
Measures to make it simpler for multi-disciplinary practices to be licensed as alternative business structures by the Solicitors Regulation Authority have been approved by the Legal Services Board.
Insurers could struggle to defend meso claims following 'landmark' ruling
Insurers may find it harder to defend asbestos claims, following a ‘landmark’ Supreme Court ruling, according to the Forum of Insurance Lawyers.
Legal Update: Obesity claims: The thin end of the wedge for EPL insurers
Andrew McDonald and Judith Davison look at the implications of obesity being considered a disability
Hill Dickinson adds LSI specialists to counter-fraud team
Hill Dickinson has added two new legal directors to its counter-fraud team in a bid to strengthen its focus on sanctions and recoveries and low speed impact investigations.
Fraud Focus: Pros and cons of fraud law revamp
One of the central pillars of the law relating to fraudulent insurance claims is being given a much overdue makeover. The Insurance Bill is largely good news for insurers, but there will be some areas where protection is reduced.
Weightmans turns to rivals to grow Glasgow headcount
Anderson Strathern partner Douglas Keir is understood to be the latest insurance specialist set to join Weightmans burgeoning Glasgow office.
Blog: Making the most of captives
An increasing number of law firms are now using captives for their insurance arrangements as firms take proactive steps to control their own destiny and secure direct benefits from their efficient operations, says Nigel Wallis
Legal update: Common sense prevails in slip judgments
Ian Leach discusses two recent judgments issued by the Court of Session in Scotland relating to alleged slips in the course of employment, which show a common sense approach to slip cases is always best
KPMG awarded ABS licence
Accounting firm KPMG has been awarded an alternative business structure licence by the Solicitors' Regulation Authority to work on a multi-disciplinary practice basis.
Insurance Bill: Providing information
The incoming Insurance Bill changes the duty of disclosure by an insured to one of fair presentation. What does this mean for insurers?
Debevoise to offer local law advice in Hong Kong
US law firm Debevoise & Plimpton is to offer local law advice in Hong Kong from 1 October, after two decades of operating as an international legal practice.
Judges can be trusted to find 'fundamental dishonesty', claims Lord Faulks
The "fundamental dishonesty" clause proposed in the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill will lead to “more realistic claims being brought”, according Minister of State for Civil Justice Lord Faulks.
BLM beefs up Irish presence by joining forces with CFS
BLM is to incorporate Northern Irish risk and insurance law firm Campbell Fitzpatrick Solicitors in a move that will result in the combined operation being bolstered by 21 legal experts, including eight partners.
Legal Update: Application of QOCS to Part 20 claims
A personal injury claim over a skiing accident was heard at the Court of Appeal and has clarified issues around qualified one-way costs shifting. Nicholas Thorne explains the ruling.
ABI offers staunch defence of application fraud figures following criticism
The Association of British Insurers has moved to defend the process by which it calculated that 180 675 motorists attempted fraudulent insurance applications last year, following criticism by a claimant law firm.
DAS' Weekes promoted to UK broker sales manager
Legal expenses insurer, DAS, has promoted Darren Weekes, its broker sales manager for the southern region to the newly created position of UK broker sales manager.
Sarah Bill’s worth called into question by claimant and defendant lawyers
‘Ambiguous wording’ cited among major qualms with draft legislation
Legal Update - Heading down a slippery slope
James Harvey explains how insurers could face additional burdens if other UK courts follow Scotland’s lead when it comes to apportioning liability for trips and falls on public highways
DAC Beachcroft cuts 62 roles in UK as Manchester office closes
DAC Beachcroft has cut 62 jobs in the UK, including fee-earners and support roles as the result of a redundancy consultation which began in May.
Chancery PII plans ‘steady and stable growth' in solicitors' PI
Chancery PII has gained valuable experience from its first year in the solicitors' professional indemnity market and wants to make rated capacity available to a wider range of firms, according to director Tim Norman.