Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (Apil)
Review of the Year 2020 – Claims
Post spoke to loss adjusting and legal professionals to get their thoughts on the highs and lows of 2020
Brexit: Looking forward, looking back
With the Brexit transition period ending on 31 December, Post asked insurance trade bodies and associations about the biggest challenges and changes for the market.
No discount rate change for NI yet as country looks to Scottish model
The Department of Justice for Northern Ireland has decided against changing the country's personal injury discount rate until a revised legal framework is in place.
Have your say: How well are trade bodies and professional associations performing for you?
The coronavirus pandemic has upended how we go about our day to day lives, with organisations forced to rapidly change how they operate while facing new challenges. Against this backdrop, Post wants to find out how your trade bodies and professional…
Trade Voice: Sam Elsby, Apil
Association of Personal Injury Lawyers president Sam Elsby reflects on the need for collaboration between the representatives of claimants and defendants to ensure the best outcomes for injured people, both during and beyond the coronavirus pandemic.
Analysis: The serious injury claims cycle under Covid-19
While the serious injury claims cycle faced delays during the start of the pandemic, time pressures are now “easing” as care providers find ways to adapt.
Lawyers warn against rushing a dual discount rate consultation
As investment returns drop due to coronavirus claimant and insurance lawyers have urged parties not to take a short-term view on the discount rate and a possible early review of a dual discount rate saying its a time for "stability and not disruption”.
Whiplash reforms pushed back into 2021
Whiplash reforms, including the implementation of the claims portal, have been pushed back to April 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Personal injury and insurance lawyers agree best practice for Covid-19 crisis
Lawyers on the insurer and claimant sides have agreed to protocols and practices to help mitigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and allow for access to justice.
Q&A: Forum of Insurance Lawyers CEO Laurence Besemer
In 2009 Laurence Besemer became the first CEO of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers, the UK trade body for defendant law firms. A decade into the role he spoke to Jonathan Swift about its commitment to its members, a successful 2019 and why it is definitely…
Whiplash claims process not yet 'fit-for-purpose'
Without judicial rules in place, the claims portal is just a “smart-looking tin with nothing in it”, cautions trade body.
Changes to limitation law must be carefully considered, child abuse inquiry hears
Defendant and claimant lawyers testifying in front of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse yesterday agreed that the current system is not working for victims and survivors, but warned clarity is needed on the consequences of altering…
Thomas Cook personal injury fund unlikely to provide full compensation, lawyers warn
A government scheme due to be set up to pay the personal injury claims of Thomas Cook customers is unlikely to be sufficient to provide claimants with full compensation and may be open to abuse if appropriate safeguards aren’t put in place, lawyers have…
MoJ defends position on access to justice for children amid whiplash criticism
Exclusive: The Ministry of Justice has defended itself over a "loophole" in whiplash legislation that lawyers and trade bodies argue could leave the majority of children injured in road traffic accidents without access to compensation or representation.
Ecclesiastical and ABI become core participants in child abuse investigation hearings
The Association of British Insurers and Ecclesiastical are among four organisations granted core participant status in an investigation into accountability and reparations in non-recent child sexual abuse cases.
Trade Voice: Gordon Dalyell, Apil
Following insurer outcry as the Ogden discount rate was set at minus 0.25%, Association of Personal Injury Lawyers president Gordon Dalyell underlines that the industry is set to save hundreds of millions, while claimants still face an "unfair" rate.
Government extends Medco for small RTA claims
The industry has welcomed the government’s response to a consultation into the future provision of medical reports.
Insurers throw support behind calls to ban use of hands free devices while driving
Insurers have welcomed a Parliamentary report calling for tougher restrictions on using hands free mobile devices while driving.
Lawyers issue warning over fixed recoverable costs proposals
Extending Fixed Recoverable Costs could lead to claimants playing the system, lawyers warn.
Discount rate: Are insurers being too optimistic?
In anticipation of the new discount rate announcement, expected by 5 August 2019, many insurers have already started to price and reserve at 0%
Speed limiters in cars 'could create insurance gap'
Exclusive: The government should close legal loopholes which could prevent owners of vehicles installed with mandatory speed limiters from claiming on their motor insurance, lawyers have warned.
MoJ looks to extend fixed recoverable costs to £100,000
The Ministry of Justice has launched a consultation into extending fixed recoverable costs.
Industry welcomes launch of discount rate review: updated
The government has launched a widely-anticipated review into the Ogden discount rate.
Analysis: What happens to motor after March 29?
In the event of a no-deal Brexit, motorists will have to carry green cards in the EU. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg