Legal
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.
DWF warns insurers over rise in cross-border claims
Law firm DWF has launched an international claims team in response to a 50% rise in queries on cross-border claims from insurers over the past 18 months.
Law report: Lord Justices give leave for appeal over committal orders
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Interview - Tim Oliver: The capacity for flux
Incoming president of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers Tim Oliver tells Mairi MacDonald how the organisation plans to adapt to a changing legal environment over the coming 12 months.
Legal update - Bribery Act: Cleaning up
Euros Jones examines the implications of the Bribery Act 2010 for companies and senior officers, especially in the context of directors' and officers' insurance cover.
Law firms must become user-friendly claims Parabis boss
Law firms will have to become more user-friendly following the implementation of major legal reforms, according to Tim Oliver, chief executive of Parabis Group and incoming president of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers.
Claims supplement: The faces of the new revolution
Claims are often said to be the shop window of the insurance industry, but with many firms stuck with legacy issues do new entrants have the greatest advantage when it comes to innovation. Stephanie Denton approached firms across four distinct sectors —…
Four sentenced for fraudulent insurance claims
A further four people have been sentenced for submitting fraudulent insurance claims following a minor collision in Old Trafford, Manchester.
CNA to offer free collateral warranty advice
CNA Europe has partnered with law firm Mills & Reeve to offer a free collateral warranty advice service to its professional indemnity construction customers.
SRA to audit PI insurers
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has revealed that it will audit qualifying solicitor’s professional indemnity insurers.
Law Commission gains “strong support” for damages proposals
The Law Commission has revealed that its proposals to modify current insurance contract law on damages has been well received by the industry.
Personal injury - Culture change: Care, not cash
A perceptual shift must occur within the industry as well as across the public and the legal profession to replace cash in personal injury claims with care, argues Andrew Pemberton. Without it, the UK will struggle to escape the blame-and-claim culture…
Law reports: Liquidated damages clause not a penalty for equal parties
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Law report: Judicial uncertainty leads to strike-out application dismissal
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Legal update - Occupiers' liability: No respite for the reckless
Various judgments over the past six years have laid the foundation for courts to back the coalition government's conviction that the state and private land owners should not be held responsible for the reckless risk taking of individuals while on their…
Roundtable - mergers & acquisitions: Cautiously navigating the upturn
Recession and recovery, global ambition, super-mergers, market appetite, pricing, marrying business cultures and managing brokers' expectations were all topics of deeply involved discussion as a panel of industry big-hitters jousted at a recent Post and…
Once-in-a-decade op
The consultation into the implementation of Lord Justice Jackson's proposals is the best window of opportunity the industry has had for more than 10 years to influence change.
Law report: Limit to damages claim enforced to avoid conflict of council care duties
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Personal injury - Government reform: How far will they go?
With Lord Jackson's and Lord Young's reports both being delivered in close succession, the question is now whether or not the government has the appetite to deliver change to the personal injury space with some or all of the recommendations being…
Apil rejects MoJ personal injury stance
The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers has responded to the government's launch of its consultation on the Jackson Review proposals.