Legal
Hiscox set to launch US direct PI offering
Hiscox is increasing its US presence with the launch of its first direct commercial insurance offering.
‘Toxic sofa’ customers receive pay out
Axa, Chartis and Travellers have compensated more than 400 claimants in the ongoing £20m ‘toxic sofa’ legal wrangle.
Direct Line appeals to High Court over £3.4m pay out
Insurance firm Direct Line has launched a High Court bid to recover millions of pounds paid out in damages to a motorist who claimed to be seriously injured in a road accident.
FSA authorisations taking 'twice as long' as last year, says law firm
The length of time it takes the Financial Services Authority to grant firms permission to expand their businesses has more than doubled in the last year.
BLG appoints reinsurance partner
Law firm Barlow Lyde & Gilbert has named Liliana Veru-Torres as a partner in its reinsurance team.
Consumer pressure group warns Justice Committee over Jackson
The Consumer Justice Alliance Proposed has told the Justice Select Committee that reforms to civil litigation costs will leave injured victims with no route to legal redress.
Law report: Slip ruling crucial as UK austerity drive kicks in
This law report was contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Law report: Supreme Court rules on without prejudice negotiations
This law report was contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Postbox: Lord Sugar's comments need rethink
Having read the online story about Lord Sugar and no-win, no-fee lawyers, I would like to comment that he is simply out to grab headlines.
Legal update - effective surveillance: Surveillance strategies
Surveillance techniques are on the increase as a tool to prevent to fraud. Mark Wilcox reports on a recent case that highlights the need for such activities to be carried out by skilled professionals.
Law Society must tackle asbestos 'dabblers'
The Law Society needs to get a grip on claimant "dabblers" who are obstructing the speedy payment of mesothelioma claims and ramping up costs for insurers, according to Michelle Penn, partner at Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Claims Club news: Claimant community blamed for shelving of meso protocol
The insurer and defendant legal community has lost its battle to get a specific pre-action protocol introduced for mesothelioma claims — largely due to the self- interest of claimant solicitors and the unions.
B2 to be phased out after just two years
Beachcroft is to phase out its specialist volume insurance claims brand B2, just two years after its launch.
Law report: Time-barred case dismissed
This law report was contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
News analysis – team hires: Navigating a sticky wicket
Businesses are often keen to recruit high-flying individuals, and their colleagues, with existing employers equally determined to hang on to them. Gary Freer reveals how a recent case offers hope in making it easier to pick up staff without incurring…
ALCD warns insurers on legal cost advisers
The Association of Law Costs Draftsmen has warned insurers over law firms instructing unqualified cost advisers.
Mortgage fraud - Regulation: Safe as houses?
Concern at the scale of professional negligence in the mortgage industry has prompted renewed focus on regulation. But will these efforts succeed in stamping out fraud, asks Jennifer Bates.
Transactional risks - Solutions: Coming of age
Companies with reinvigorated balance sheets are displaying renewed appetite for mergers and acquisitions. John McNally and Tim Allen detail how evolving transactional risk insurance solutions mean the market can meet their needs.
Legal review of the year: Less doing more
Consolidation among insurance law firms was the hot topic for 2010, as they try to meet insurers' demands. Veronica Cowan reports on an interesting year.
Interview - Bart de Smet: Return to fitness
Despite being one of the most high-profile casualties of the financial crisis, Ageas is now focusing on the future rather than the past. Jonathan Swift meets group CEO Bart De Smet to discuss its UK plans, acquisitions and why big is not necessarily…
Broking review of the year: A breakdown in momentum
2010 was a fairly low key year for the broking market, as the sector kept a low profile during the financial turmoil. Daniel Dunkley reports on the opportunities that were taken up and deals made.
RTA Portal appoints new directors
The RTA Portal has appointed a number of its directors to its board including Graham Gibson of Allianz, Martin Ward of Royal Bank of Scotland Insurance and Richard Harris of Ageas.
Lord Sugar slams "vulture-type" lawyers in no-win no-fee outburst
The Apprentice's Lord Sugar has thrown his weight behind Lord Young's plans to cut down agressive no-win no-fee advertising in the UK.
FSA steps in over unauthorised BSkyB satellite warranty sellers
The Financial Services Authority has obtained a High Court ruling appointing provisional liquidators over three firms that the FSA considers were engaged in insurance activities without FSA authorisation.