Legal
Law report: Health & safety judgments remain good law despite minor issues
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Law report: Time-bar ruling overturned as liability was not established
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Whiplash - Britain: The European whiplash capital
With its proportion of whiplash claims far outstripping any other European nation, what must the UK do to curb this cause of claims inflation?
PSTF: Eliminate social media confusion before policies tested by regulator
Law firm Taylor Wessing has urged companies to implement formal social media policies, or risk falling foul of the regulator.
News review 14 - 20 September 2011
A review of news stories which broke between 14 and 20 September 2011.
European Commission to propose additional contract law in October
European Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding is today meeting with leaders of European insurance companies to discuss European contract law in the insurance sector.
ABSs could drive down motor claims costs
Alternative Business Structures could be used by the sector to “revolutionise” motor claims processes, yielding savings for insurers, brokers and their customers, according to Tim Roberts, senior partner of Parabis and Eddie Longworth, managing director…
RSA’s Tomlinson to prepare RBSI sale
RBS Insurance has poached RSA’s group legal director Humphrey Tomlinson to be general counsel and company secretary to prepare the business for sale.
RSA promotes Heiss to legal chief
RSA has promoted Charlotte Heiss to the role of head of group legal at its group corporate centre.
RPC raids Cameron's Bristol insurance team
Four of CMS Cameron McKenna's partners from the insurance reinsurance group team in Bristol have resigned for RPC.
Lloyd's syndicate sues Saudi for financing 9/11
Lloyd’s insurance syndicate 3500 Riverstone Managing Agency, has launched a landmark legal battle against Saudi Arabia, accusing it of indirectly finding al-Qaeda and demanding the repayment of £136m it paid out to victims of the 9/11 attacks.
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.