Legal
Keoghs boss: motor claims costs to rise under reforms
The Ministry of Justice should "refocus on cost" if Lord Justice Jackson's reforms are to deliver lower premiums for customers. Steve Thomas, director of market affairs at law firm Keoghs, has warned the government consultation that started in August…
Law firms poised for top-25 merger
Legal bosses from Beachcroft and Davies Arnold Cooper are remaining tight-lipped over merger talks — despite market speculation a decision could be reached within a week.
Law report: Botched cosmetic surgery leads to groundbreaking £6m payout
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Spotlight on: Insurance scores - Number crunching
Looking at the links between credit data and insurance behaviour is unusual in the UK, but this could be about to change, claims Sam Barrett, as insurers look to develop the data sources they use.
Alternative business structures: I bought the law
With the arrival of alternative business structures imminent, Amy Ellis looks at the pros and cons of the ability for those outside the legal sphere to invest in services.
Law report: Confusion continues over 'thorny' school truancy laws
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Household - Flood risk: Removing the safety net
In two years, the insurance industry's pact with central government to provide flood cover for at-risk properties will cease to exist. Ralph Savage reports on how insurers are planning to meet the challenge post-2013.
Lorica targets leisure parks with niche team
Lorica Insurance Brokers is aiming to build its multi-niche offering by expanding in the leisure sector, after taking on two specialists from JLT. Paul Brearton, who left JLT last September, and Robert Kluth, who is finishing his gardening leave, join…
Post history - 10 years ago: DVT claims dismissed as alarmist hype
Looking back through Post’s back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this highlight from 10 years ago reveals.
Legal update - Medical advances: The cost of breakthroughs
Medical breakthroughs give new hope to people who have been paralysed or had amputations as a result of accidents, but will these advances add to the already burgeoning costs of personal injury? Tim Brentnall warns that legal implications could prove…
Disgraced coverholder boss faces FSA fitness probe
The chief executive and director of a Financial Services Authority-approved coverholder faces having his status as a 'fit and proper' person investigated by the regulator, after admitting to child sex offences at Canterbury Crown Court.
Cornish wins costs case against RSA
Cornish Mutual has successfully challenged a subrogated repair cost dispute with RSA.
North of the Border: review of expenses and funding of civil litigation in Scotland
Following the Jackson review of costs in England and Wales, the Scottish government has launched its own review of expenses and funding of civil litigation north of the border. This review was one of the measures recommended by Lord Gill's Report of the…
Scepticism over future of regulation
Law firms have reacted with scepticism to the Financial Services Authority's paper on the future of regulation for insurers. This week the regulator released a joint paper with the Bank of England, outlining how the Prudential Regulation Authority — the…
Legal update - Occupational disease: Networking issues
With occupational disease claims hitting the headlines in recent months, as the Supreme Court seeks to resolve disputes, Ben FitzHugh comments on how the industry can make best use of social networking sites when defending such claims.
Duty of care ruling overturned by appeals court
Surveyors and their insurers can "breathe a huge sigh of relief" according to lawyers, after the appeal court limited the duty of care owed to buy-to-let property investors.
Solicitors' professional indemnity: Turning off the life support
Potential sweeping changes to the solicitors' professional indemnity market could see the controversial assigned risks pool scrapped. Jakki May investigates the effect on qualifying insurers hoping to turn a profit.
Phase two of Jackson needed claims law firm
The government has "stuck to its guns" with primary legislation needed to introduce the core principles of Lord Justice Jackson's review into civil litigation costs.
SRA to stick to timetable despite licence concerns
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has pledged to stick to its timeframe for introducing licences for alternative business structures, despite concerns that the new set of regulations will not be ready in time.
Beachcroft and DAC in merger talks
Beachcroft and Davies Arnold Cooper are in talks over a potential merger that would create an insurance law firm with combined revenue of close to £175m.
Groupama urges government to act on referral fees
Groupama Insrances has called on the government to ban referral fees following publication of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill.
Government embarks on 'no win no fee' regime change
The government will implement the bulk of Lord Justice Jackson’s review into civil litigation costs with the publication of its Justice Bill presented in the House of Commons by Ken Clarke this afternoon.
Elite rules out solicitors' PI move
Legal expenses provider Elite Insurance Company has ruled out entering the solicitors’ professional indemnity insurance market due to the rules governing the assigned risk pool.
Legal sector critical of FSA paper
The legal sector has reacted critically to the Financial Services Authority’s paper on the future of regulation for insurers.