Legal
Career development & CSR news: BGL staff raise £20 000 for Marie Curie
BGL employees have raised more than £20 000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care, following the completion of a month-long challenge of cycling, walking, running, winter Olympics, skydiving and knitting.
Legal update - professional negligence: A strong defence
The illegality principle may rear its head if a second dip of the recession takes hold and insolvency practitioners engage in civil claims. Tony Hill and Kate Thompson examine the issues professional negligence insurers face from this line of attack.
Helpline claims to be hoax victim over texts
National Accident Helpline has claimed to be the victim of a hoax, after being caught up in a Claims Standard Council investigation of unsolicited text messages.
Editor's comment: Don't count your turkeys
Insurers received an early Christmas present last month, when the government appeared to give firm backing to Lord Justice Jackson's recommendations on combating disproportionate civil litigation costs. The ministerial foreword to its consultation…
First Assist names new legal provider
First Assist Legal Protection has named law firm Lyons Davidson as its legal provider for commercial and personal line before the event legal expenses claims.
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.