Legal
FSA takes too long over permissions, RPC lawyers warn
The length of time it takes the FSA to grant financial services firms permission to expand their businesses has increased by 10% in the last year, says City law firm Reynolds Porter Chamberlain.
RSA’s enhanced motor claims add 25%
Britain’s fourth biggest motor insurer RSA stands accused by a county court judge of artificially inflating repair costs charged to other insurers by more than £2.4m.
Comment - Civil litigation: You’re part of the problem
When the insurance industry launches a campaign to reform our “broken civil litigation system” it predictably wheels out dodgy statistics – including that complete nonsense of a report from Frontier Economics again — and dubious ‘facts’. It conveniently…
MoJ to split referral ban enforcement role between industry regulators
The Ministry of Justice has confirmed the government’s proposed ban on referral fees is likely not to be centrally administered, but instead enforced by a collection of disparate regulatory authorities.
Editor's comment: The devil is in the detail
Just when consensus was building across the insurance industry that banning referral fees alone will not cure the UK civil litigation system of all its perceived ills, reduce car insurance premiums, or single-handedly wipe out personal injury claims…
Insurers vow to pay squatting claims if informed of extended absence
Insurers have vowed to pay claims to policyholders whose properties are invaded by squatters — as long as they inform them if their home will be empty for long periods of time.
Law report: Assessment delay upheld by Judge
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Law report: Demarcation of stairs prompts dismissal of ‘concealed hazard’ allegation
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Law report: Initial improvement notice time limit appeal overturned
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Firms warned over ‘hiatus’ in approval of alternative business structures
Insurance firms seeking to become alternative business structures should beware an over-regulated business environment by an “under-resourced” Solicitors’ Regulation Authority.
Explosion in whiplash claims highlights the need to tackle cause not symptoms
Last week’s Claims Club meeting saw a heated debate on referral fees, a call for members to lobby against the EU tax review and heavy criticism of the SRA
IUMI 2011 preview: The problem of piracy
The annual International Union of Marine Insurance conference takes place in Paris next week. Topping the agenda is the ongoing scourge of piracy on world trade .
Jack Straw outlines his Bill to crack down on referral fees
Jack Straw’s motion to crack down on referral fees has passed the latest hurdle in the House of Commons following a Ten Minute Rule Motion.
Urgent need for “clarity” on scope of referral fee ban
Steve Thomas, director of market affairs at Keoghs, comments on the news that the government is set to ban referral fees.
Pro Legal warns MoJ over “dangerous” referral fee decision
London-based law firm Pro Legal has hit out at the Ministry of Justice over its “dangerous” decision to ban referral fees claiming that the move would hurt consumers.
Parabis slams MoJ over referral fees
Parabis has criticised the Ministry of Justice’s decision to ban referral fees.
Prime Professions lands Law Society PII role
Prime Professions has been appointed to manage a Law Society scheme helping firms struggling to secure professional indemnity insurance.
Costly referral fee ban rejected as claims firm details lobbying alternative
Ai Claims Solutions is set to lobby MPs with a four-point plan to reform the referral fees system in place of the "costly and timeconsuming legislation" of an outright ban.
News analysis: Personal injury lawyers on the defensive over litigation claims
Allegations of inflated legal claims cost submissions have found backing from insurers
North of the boarder: Redesigning structured settlements
In the recent case D’s Parent & Guardian v Greater Glasgow Health Board (2011), a 10 year old child, D, suffered catastrophic neurological trauma during forceps delivery at birth.
9/11 Contract certainty: The first steps taken
A rush of legal cases always followed a catastrophic loss before contract certainty was introduced. The attacks on 11 September 2001 thrust the issue into the spotlight but were other factors at play?
SRA responds to ABS delay
The chair of the Solicitors Regulation Authority, has responded to comments relating to the delay in the SRA becoming an approved regulator of Alternative Business Structures.
Corclaim ULR signs Merrell to expand
Claimant motor specialist Mark Merrell has joined Midlands law firm Harvey Ingram’s uninsured loss recovery Corclaim brand as a director.
Link4 responds to Polish brokers class law action news
Link4 has responded to The Polish Chamber of Insurance and Finance Intermediaries' announcement that 35 insurance intermediaries have filed a class action lawsuit for €3m.