Analysis
The legal lottery
The 'lotto rapist' case has had a considerable impact on the law relating to sexual abuse. Lindsay Gray charts the changes and their implications for care establishments and insurers.
Claims- personal injury: Number crunching
Wilson Carswell examines the number of personal injury claims following motor accidents that are made in the UK and asks if the figures add up.
Diabetes & Dangerous driving: Motor functions
With the number of people in the UK being diagnosed with diabetes increasing dramatically, Ian Bridge says insurers should alert their motor customers to be more aware of the legal implications.
Environmental liability update: Small impact?
With the Environmental Liability Directive finally becoming law in the UK last March, Alan Dobson examines whether its effect has been as hard hitting as predicted.
Follow the lead
Converting and retaining new business is essential in the current economic climate. Edward Murray looks into how brokers can best mine new seams of prospects.
North of the Border - The language of legislation
In the December decision of Morrison Sports & Others v Scottish Power, the Inner House of the Court of Session cannot be said to have sparked any controversy.
Fire - historic buildings: History in the remaking
When a listed or historically important building is caught up in a fire, action taken in the days and hours following are crucial. Stuart Carter warns of the damage caused by delay alone.
Editor's comment: Interest in rates up
The issue of rates — and, more specifically, motor rates — is certainly getting a lot of attention at the moment.
Rehabilitation - joint instruction: The waiting room
Funding has always been an issue for rehabilitation but Andrew Pemberton asks whether the current demand for joint instruction on cases is leading to a 'credit rehab' market.
Legal update - expert shopping: Second bite of the cherry
If a claimant is dissatisfied with an expert's report, they can simply commission a second one. Carol Dalton reports on how defendants can turn this practice to their advantage.
Legal Update - group litigation orders: Here comes the mob
Group litigation orders are increasingly common in the UK but, rather than striking fear into insurers' hearts, Jim Bryant explains how they present opportunities.
Legal update - broker duties: Shared responsibilities
Andrew Blair and Niyi Phiri examine the complex issue of how liability should be shared when the role of the broker is split and negligence claims made.
Legal update - professional negligence: In the firing line
Antony Smith and Rhian Howell examine the latest court activity statistics to analyse which professions are likely to bear the brunt of claims.
Directors' & Officers' - economic impact: Bitten by the risks?
The credit crunch threatens to bring a rise in directors' and officers' claims. Jane Bernstein investigates whether this threat is becoming a reality and how this is affecting sales of the product.
Regulation - PPI fallout: Burst the balloon
With the Competition Commission poised to bring a new case against point of sale payment protection insurance, Leigh Jackson asks what now for the sector — and where might the regulator point its finger next?
Legal update - Thrid Parties Rights Bill: Straight to the point
The Third Parties (Rights Against Insurers) Bill went to the House of Lords late last year, aimed at updating the Third Parties Act of 1930. Terry Donaghy looks at the implications this has for insurers.
Technology - strategy: Soothe the legacy headache
Short-term fixes and data silos still dominate the IT insurance landscape, storing up trouble for the future. Andy Nightingale explains the effectiveness of an alternative approach, from both a cost and capability perspective.
Commercial aggregators: Moving targets
Aggregators have gradually exerted a stranglehold on personal lines insurance distribution that only the most powerful marketing budgets can now compete with. Ralph Savage investigates the potential for aggregators to shift their gaze towards commercial…
Fraud - voice stress analysis: Liar, liar
With fraud costing insurers £1.8bn in 2009, Daniel Dunkley explores the validity and effectiveness of voice stress analysis technology, once hailed as a 'silver bullet' for the industry.
News analysis - Jackson report: In decent proposals
Andrew Parker examines the proposals unveiled last week by the Jackson report and considers the implications they hold for insurers, claimants and the legal sector.
News analysis - aggregators: Back to black?
The past three months have finally seen private motor prices increase en masse. Tom Cooper analyses this and its potential for a return to market profit.
Muddying the waters
Financial deputies act for claimants unable to manage their finances. However, Adam Fullwood explains that a Court of Appeal decision has muddied the waters once again over the key issue of public funding of future care costs.
Scope of employment
Employers are responsible for acts committed by staff in the course of their employment. Will Jones examines case law to determine how wide-ranging this liability is.