Legal
Scottish sheriff courts to handle PI cases worth up to £150 000
Scottish defendant lawyers have backed proposals to introduce a specialist court to handle personal injury cases in Scotland.
Editor's comment: Can’t we all just get along?
A mother’s word is often law. Both sides of whatever argument are heard, and then a ruling is made. Brief mutterings may ensue but these are quickly quashed and life goes on, hopefully in a more peaceful manner.
Market Moves: Ex-pro footballer among notable new recruits in busy week across industry
The past week produced an even recruitment spread across the industry, with the usual flurry of hires within the broking sector headed by two regional appointments at Bluefin. These were complemented by additions at firms representing the loss adjusting,…
ABI: young driver proposals could cut premiums by 20%
Teenagers' annual motor premiums could be cut by up to 15% if the government adopts proposals to improve young driver safety, according to the Association of British Insurers.
Your say: Investing in claims at the front end
The insurance industry has long since recognised that costs - and not necessarily damages - are the biggest thorn in its side, hence the campaigning against and efforts to combat disproportionate solicitor’s costs.
Insurer Arrow visits up 38% in 2012
Intensive regulatory inspections of insurers increased 38% last year according to figures from law firm Reynolds Porter Chamberlain.
Laspo to leave law firms at risk of negligence claims
The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act, due to take effect on 1 April 2013, will leave law firms at risk of professional negligence claims, warned Elite Insurance.
Claims Club: Senior NHS member blames claimant solicitors for hike in negligence cases
Heightened interest from claimant solicitors rather than a decline in standards is behind the significant rise in clinical negligence claims lodged against the National Health Service over the past three years.
North of the Border: The same rules of privilege apply
The extent of legal professional privilege was at issue when the Supreme Court considered the appeal in Prudential v Special Commissioner [2013].
Motor repairs: In need of repair
A recent investigation by Channel 4’s Dispatches slammed the motor insurance industry for its approach to repairs. Can the sector come back from the criticism?
MoJ sets RTA fixed costs at £500
The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that revised fixed recoverable costs for the Road Traffic Accident scheme will start at £500.
Social media cover launched by Arc Legal amid growing online defamation concerns
Arc Legal has become the latest firm to respond to the challenges posed by online defamation via social networking sites such as Twitter, by launching a social media defamation cover.
Indian watchdog hits SKS with Rs50 lakh fine
Shares in Indian finance firm SKS Microfinance fell 2.39% after it was fined Rs50 lakh by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority.
Post magazine – 21 February 2013
The latest issue of Post is now available to subscribers as a digital and interactive e-book.
Editor's comment: Welcome to Scotland
While Scotland is keen to encourage visitors by promoting its major selling points — such as the beautiful highland scenery, Edinburgh castle, the home of golf in St Andrews and the history of quality whisky making — it should beware of introducing a…
Consultation could see Scotland get different personal injury discount rate
Insurance and legal observers are considering the possibility that different discount rate for personal injury claims could be set in Scotland from the rest of the UK.
Scottish powers already affect industry
The independence debate has been dominating headlines in Scotland, but insurers should keep in mind that the Scottish Parliament already enjoys significant power over issues that are relevant to their business.
Scottish Independence: Scot free?
With a referendum on Scottish independence due next year, will an independent Scotland cause problems for the insurance sector, or is it business as usual?
Arag grows BTE sales team
Legal insurance specialist Arag has expanded its before-the-event sales team with the recruitment of George Bladon as corporate account manager.
BP heads for two-step Deepwater Horizon civil trial
BP is to face a civil trial over the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil disaster, after talks on a settlement with US authorities collapsed.
Co-op criticises subrogated model
Co-operative Insurance Services has criticised the subrogated claims model used by RSA, despite having a bilateral agreement with the insurer in place since last July (www.postonline.co.uk/2188179).
Crash for cash killers to serve 32-year jail-term as "stark warning"
The legal team appointed by the insurer of a female motorist who became the UK’s first crash for cash fatality is hopeful that the lengthy custodial sentence handed down to those responsible will serve as a “stark warning”.
Laspo and new MoJ consultation to create litigation funding gap
Claimants without legal expenses insurance will face significant deductions from damages from the introduction of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act and findings from the Ministry of Justice’s consultation on law firms' cost recoveries…
CNC conducted ‘incomplete economic analysis’ of cartel insurers
Improper economic analysis by Spain’s competition commission led it to wrongly find eight insurers guilty of price fixing, according to legal experts.