Legal
North of the Border: Dealing with dishonesty
A proposed change to the fund to compensate those who have lost money through solicitor dishonesty has implications for the regulation of firms in Scotland.
Clyde & Co enters Scotland with Simpson & Marwick merger
Law firm Clyde & Co is to establish a Scottish presence through a merger with Simpson & Marwick, effective from 1 October.
Regulation of MROs championed on both sides of the legal divide
Claimant and defendant lawyers have backed the Association of British Insurers' call to regulate medical reporting organisations working within Medco following concerns that the scheme is being exploited by some users.
Judge dismisses “bang to rights” claim on fundamental dishonesty grounds
Conwy and Colwyn County Court sunk a personal injury claim deemed exaggerated and fabricated after a judge found a claimant pulling a dishonest "bang to rights" move.
Most solicitors tipped to find rated cover in ‘buoyant’ PI market
Solicitors have seen a benign professional indemnity renewal period after the turbulence of the last few years; however a recent court ruling could increase pressure to introduce an aggregation limit, according to legal specialists.
Legal Update: Medco: teething problems
Five months in, Paul Edwards says concerns about the portal’s operation need to be addressed quickly
Kennedys warns government over Medco ‘gaming’
The Medco portal system of commissioning medical reports needs to be transparent and uncomplicated, and eliminate any incentives that encourage those acting for claimants to ‘game’ the process, international law firm Kennedys has told the government.
Claimant lawyers and CMCs see PI advertising spend reach £76m in 2014
Claimant lawyers' spending on personal injury and clinical negligence advertising increased 182% between 2010 and 2014 reflecting the impact of the 2013 referral fee ban on the market.
Insurers remain at odds with Apil over whiplash figures despite talk of collaboration
Insurers have welcomed calls by the president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers for greater collaboration, but have roundly rejected his argument that whiplash claims are on a downward trajectory.
Survey ranks insurance as top performing sector in dodging hackers
The insurance industry is outperforming other sectors in the battle to combat data breaches, according to a survey that revealed just 17% of insurance companies have been hacked –although lost data remains an issue.
DAC Beachcroft approved for ABS licence
International law firm DAC Beachcroft has been awarded a licence by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to operate as an alternative business structure.
Ex-Gallagher execs to fork out £2m in settlement costs
The settlement between Arthur J Gallagher and former international division CEO David Ross and others will cost some of the broker's former executives £2m.
Editor's Comment: The best is yet to come
The biggest story of the year has run its course, or so many would have us believe, now that Towergate and Arthur J Gallagher have settled their personnel spat out of court, albeit with a £20m price tag, excluding the legal fees already shelled out.
NAH data shows 92% of claimants in contact within first year of RTA
One of the personal injury firms behind the launch of the Ethical Marketing Charter has defended its record amid suggestions by insurers that the number of late claims has tripled in recent times.
Blog: The Sonae group action and the compensation culture
The judgment handed down last month in Saunderson & Others v Sonae makes for uncomfortable reading. Dismissing over 16,000 personal injury claims, a High Court judge criticised the conduct of the solicitors who had brought induced, exaggerated and…
Iran sanctions removal may present early opportunity for EU insurance firms
Non-US owned insurance companies may look to steal a march on their competitors if sanctions prohibiting trading with Iran are not lifted simultaneously by all countries.
Blog: Stevens v Equity...what now?
Six months on from the landmark decision of the Court of Appeal in Stevens v Equity, the ramifications continue to be felt across the industry. The judgment appeared to be the game changer that the insurance industry had been hoping for following the…
Trade Voice: Why we’ll always need solicitors
Despite falling claims numbers, new technology means the need for legal firms will not decrease.
Towergate on to next challenge after conclusion of 'unsavoury' Gallagher dispute
Arthur J Gallagher and Towergate have been accused of “airing their dirty laundry in public” following the conclusion of a legal battle from which market insiders remain at odds as to who will have emerged more satisfied.
Blog: Vnuk, an involuntary risk transfer
The odd tabloid article has told Mr Smith that, because of the European Union, he'll soon need to insure his ride-on lawnmower under a motor policy. However ludicrous that may sound, the reality is that could be true. While newspapers have chosen…
How insurers can get ready for the Fourth Anti-Money Laundering Directive
The Fourth Anti-Money Laundering Directive applies to a range of businesses, including insurers. After its formal adoption in June, European Union member states now have two years to implement the new rules into national law.
Ross to join Towergate in November as Gallagher dispute settled for £20m
The legal dispute between Arthur J Gallagher and former employees David Ross and Mark Mugge and independent consultant Christopher Keey has been resolved with Towergate and shareholder Highbridge to pay £20m in settlements.
Towers Watson shareholders aim to block Willis merger
Towers Watson shareholders have filed several class action suits against the consultancy firm in the US over its planned merger with broker Willis.
Thompsons demands MP action for motorists after insurer results statements
Law firm Thompsons Solicitors is demanding cross-party action from MPs after it criticised claims portal costs as being "punitive", "unrealistic" and set for the benefit of insurers.