Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
Blog: Insurers could regret whiplash reforms
In the end, the whiplash reform moved remarkably quickly. After 12 months of deliberating, we only had six weeks of consultation, followed by seven weeks of considering what to do. The tangible result was the compiling of seven hurriedly drafted clauses…
Insurance Fraud Summit 2016: Insurers must refer cases to the SRA to tackle fraud ‘training camps’
Insurers have been urged to submit referrals of regulatory breaches by legal entities to the Solicitors Regulatory Authority to tackle the scourge of legal fraud and 'training camps'.
Lawyers welcome SRA's decision not to lift ban on cold calling
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has said it has no intention to lift the ban on solicitors’ cold calling.
Solicitors' PI: Uncertainty ahead
Most law firms will seek renewal of their professional indemnity insurance this autumn, although an estimated one-third will renew their PII away from 1 October. The announcement that unrated insurer Enterprise has stopped writing new business leaves the…
PI insurers secure important claims aggregation victory
Solicitors' professional indemnity insurers have emerged victorious with regard to the manner in which they are allowed to aggregate claims, following a recent decision by the Court of Appeal.
Trade Voice: Higher standards of legal professionalism to tackle claims woes
For some, claims litigation is big business. The claims market is remarkably resilient and adaptable, seemingly capable of an endless identification of new claims opportunities to maintain and grow revenue and profits
SRA warning notice on PI fraud ‘a marker in the sand’
The warning notice on potential fraud in personal injury cases issued by the Solicitors Regulation Authority on 21 March is a vital move and serves a clear function to remind lawyers of their duties to address the issue, according to legal commentators.
Claims Club: SRA to conduct a thematic review following IFT’s call for tougher action on CMCs
The Solicitors Regulatory Authority will conduct a review into the issues and concerns raised by the Insurance Fraud Taskforce Report earlier in the year.
SRA consults on minimum terms changes to PII policies
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is consulting on technical changes to the minimum terms and conditions that need to be included in professional indemnity insurance policies.
The Post Power List 2016
In a year where regulation, natural disasters, consolidation and cyber/digital again look set to make waves, and when the country could learn if it’s in or out of the European Union, Post had a mind mapping session – with a bottle of wine – to see who…
IFB joins SRA and insurer talks over 'consistent' approach to claimant firm fraud
High level discussions are taking place between the insurance industry and the Solicitors Regulation Authority towards establishing a consolidated process for submitting evidence of fraud perpetrated by claimant law firms.
Hefty FCA fines highlight importance of delegated authority chain controls
The £15.5m of fines handed to individuals and firms involved in the collapse of several unrated insurers operating in the solicitors' professional indemnity market have highlighted the need for all parties involved in the delegated authority chain to…
Claims Club blog: Can the SRA grow enough teeth to put fear in 'dodgy' law firms
The word “landmark” seems to be an over-used one when it comes to legal judgements.
SRA backs fraud taskforce call to review fining powers
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has agreed with the Insurance Fraud Taskforce recommendation to review its fining abilities in order to make tackling fraud more effective.
Government challenged to instigate fraud taskforce recommendations
The insurance industry has praised the final report of the Insurance Fraud Taskforce with the mantle now passed to government to work on implementing the suggested reforms.
PI and D&O targeted as cybercrime exposures continue to grow for insurers
Cybercrime claims are having an impact on an increasing number of business areas, with market commentators citing professional indemnity and directors' and officers' as two markets that are becoming more vulnerable to the impact of cyber-attacks.
Claimant solicitor fees dispute awarded to Axa
Axa claims it has uncovered cases of exaggerated legal costs from claimant firm Asons, which the insurer has passed on to the Solicitors' Regulation Authority.
Thompsons responds to insurer meeting on fraudulent solicitors
Claimant firm Thompsons Solicitors has accused insurers of "talking up a crisis" to suit their own agenda in relation to the amount of personal injury fraud reported by the industry.
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.
The State of the Insurer Nation: Week One: Regulation
In the first report of a five-part series covering Post’s latest State of the Nation survey, Mairi MacDonald reports on how regulation of the insurance industry is viewed by insurance CEOs and managing directors and how they think it could work better…
Claimant firms predicting profits in next 12 months, survey finds
Nearly half of claimant personal injury and clinical negligence law firms are expecting their turnover and profit to increase over the next year as they remain confident about the appeal of smaller firms to consumers, according to research published by…
Legal Update: What the Jackson reforms have - and haven't - changed
The Jackson report in December 2009 promised an interlocking package of reforms designed to control civil litigation costs and promote access to justice. They were implemented largely through the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act in…
Evans targets regulators, MPs and judges with credit hire rate issue
Accident Exchange CEO Steve Evans has written to regulators, politicians and members of the judiciary about his concerns that defendant law firms are providing dishonest vehicle rental rates in disputed car accidents.
Motor claims: What's driving motor claims?
Despite a range of unprecedented reforms and the industry’s own determination to fight motor claims fraud, numbers appear to be on the rise. What are the factors that could be influencing this alarming statistic?