Analysis
Professional indemnity - design rules: The load of codes
With 10 new Eurocodes replacing long-established design codes for the construction industry, Martyn Francklow questions the quick changeover period and analyses their potential to generate professional indemnity claims.
Energy - Deepwater Horizon impact: In deep water?
Stephanie Denton reports on the fallout for the energy market from the recent Deepwater Horizon drilling platform explosion.
Motor - Safety developments: Safety first and last
Thatcham is busy testing a range of new technologies that could reduce accident rates. Leigh Jackson takes a closer look at them.
Legal update - residential care: A duty of care
The Department of Health consultation on charging for residential care, which recently closed, has again raised the issue of who should pick up the tab for residential care in personal injury compensation cases. Sallie Harrington and Paul Stephens…
Law report: Injunction granted pending compliance with an earlier judgment
Mentmore Towers and others v Packman Lucas (Queen's Bench Division — Technology and Construction Court — 16 March 2010)
Law report: Decision in Land of Leather allergy case favourable to insurers
Horwood and others v Land of Leather (in administration), Zurich Insurance and others (Queen's Bench Division — 18 March 2010)
Law report: Common-sense approach over professional negligence
Mason v Richard Freeman & Co (Court of Appeal — 25 March 2010)
Legal update - Mandatory mediation: Working together
With Italy making mediation mandatory before a civil or commercial dispute can go to court, Michael Dawson looks at whether the UK will follow suit.
Legal update - referral fees: Simple complexity
Lord Justice Jackson views referral fees as "offensive and wrong in principle" but Helen Withers argues that an outright ban may generate more losers than winners.
Solvency II - P&I Clubs: No going back
P&I clubs depend on their ability to call on members for additional cash. Alistair Groom asks whether Solvency II will increase the likelihood of any supplementary summons.
Motor - Provisional drivers: Practice makes perfect
Rachel Gordon reports on the growing trend for motor insurers to offer cover to drivers holding a provisional licence.
Insurance buyers - Mactavish report: There may be trouble ahead
The recent Mactavish report had some severe criticisms for the commercial insurance sector. Sam Barrett reports on the warnings it contained.
Law reports: Court of Appeal determines connection to Church
Maga v Trustees of the Birmingham Archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church (Court of Appeal — 16 March 2010)
Law reports: Evidence suggests fractures were sustained earlier in athletics case
Davenport v Farrow (Queen's Bench Division — 18 March 2010)
Law reports: Case underlines high threshold needed with fraud allegations
Noble v Owens (Court of Appeal — 18 March 2010)
Accounting - Currency & exchange rates: Currency affairs
The insurance market is increasingly becoming a multinational multi-currency industry and this can bring benefits. But, as John O'Neill reports there are also dangers associated with this in the current climate.
Finance raising - IPOS: Lack of activity
Marsh recently predicted an increase in initial public offerings. Amy Ellis looks at what is actually happening and the impact on the wider insurance community.
Regional review - Birmingham: Banging the drum for Brum
With a number of new entrants over the past 18 months, Birmingham looks a lively place to do business. Leigh Jackson reports on the upsurge of activity for the city.
Survey - Insurance buyers: Making decisions
Elizabeth Duffy reveals the results of recent research into what corporate risk managers look for when selecting a broker partner — and what frustrates them.
Fraud - Customer knowledge: Getting to know you
With identity fraud a growing problem, Stephen Teeling argues the case for insurers to follow banks in validation techniques and ask for more information.
Risk management: Understanding risk
The difference between insurers and banks is being increasingly ignored and Adrian Brown says this is making risk management even more important.
Fraud - MOJ reforms: Against the clock
With the MoJ's 15-day timeframe for insurers to make liability decisions on third-party injury claims from road accidents now in force, Veronica Cowan examines whether the increased time pressures risk rendering the reforms little more than a cheat's…
Broker support: Personal services
Networks, managing general agents and other partnerships continue to find plentiful support from brokers and insurers alike. Ana Paula Nacif looks at why.
Round table - E-trading: Progress through technology
Technology plays an important role in delivering products efficiently and in a more economic fashion. A panel of experts debate why take up of e-trading has, therefore, been so slow in commercial lines. Amy Ellis reports.