Referral fees
Exploiting referral fee ban loophole ‘against spirit of the law’, say insurers
Epoq among firms criticised for finding a way around Laspo-enforced ban.
Epoq launches PI referral fees system
Legal technology firm Epoq has developed a consumer legal plan that enables insurance brokers to continue receiving payment for referring personal injury claimants to a law firm or to claims management companies.
View from the Top: ABS: A Brilliant Solution
With the recent personal injury legal changes coming into force, there’s been much media commentary and debate about the value and purpose of alternative business structure models.
View from the Top: Complying with the spirit of the law
It is up to insurers to support government efforts to ensure personal injury claims are handled correctly, says John O'Roarke.
Shakespeares is ‘ABS-ready’ to support insurers
Law firm Shakespeares has secured an alternative business structure licence, with views to engaging in joint ventures with insurers, third parties and corporate clients.
CII report highlights insurers' role in protecting public interest
The general insurance sector has made major strides to improve its role in protecting the public interest, according to a new report by the Chartered Insurance Institute.
Legal reforms: Damage to the system
While the Jackson reforms may reduce the cost of civil litigation, they could have unintended consequences for the insurance industry.
Personal injury firm stops accepting referrals
Personal injury law firm Antony Hodari is cutting ties with claims intermediaries in a move to become “self-sufficient” in generating its caseload.
Your Say: Stop harassing injured victims
The proposal by Dominic Clayden [claims director at Aviva] to require non-fault victims to contact the at-fault insurer to give them the chance to deal with repair, mobility and personal injury issues makes third-party capture – which the Financial…
Your Say: It’s no longer neck and neck
The debate surrounding whiplash claims has become increasingly one-sided, with worrying implications for claimants.
SRA issues PI referral fees ban guidelines
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has issued guidance and support for those in need of advice ahead of the introduction of the referral fees ban in personal injury cases.
Credit Hire: Co-operation not combat
With concerns over credit hire at an all-time high after the collapse of Drive Assist, what is the future for credit hire organisations, and can they ever truly make peace with insurers?
North West law firms considering closure in light of reforms
The impact of government reform geared towards driving down the cost of insurance premiums has resulted in a growing number of specialist personal injury law firms in the North West considering closing their businesses.
DLG improves combined ratio to 99.2%
Direct Line Group has reported a 9.3% rise in operating profit for ongoing operations to £461.2m (2011: £421.9m) including an underwriting profit of £28.2m compared to a loss in 2011 of £72.3m and a combined operating ratio of 99.2% (2011: 101.8%).
View from the Top: Take a note out of Beefy’s book
The consumer benefits most when motor insurers work together, says Ian Currie, UK motor and injury claims director at RSA.
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?
Insurers and lawyers lock horns over plans to cut recoverable claims costs
The Association of British Insurers has accused claimant lawyers of attempting to derail “crucial” reforms to the electronic personal injury claims portal by launching a judicial review.
SRA embraces referral fees ban for PI cases
The Solicitors Regulation Authority board will amend the Solicitors Code of Conduction to incorporate the ban on referral fees in personal injury cases.
Review of the Year: Legal - bracing for impact
The imminent implementation of major civil justice reforms has seen the legal industry spend much of 2012 preparing itself for things to come.
Government given mixed reviews half way through electoral term
Insurance industry stakeholders have given verdicts on the government's performance as it reaches the half-way point in its five-year electoral term.
SRA to make life simple for lawyers and CMCs with referral fee checklist
The Solicitors Regulation Authority will publish practical 'FAQ' guidance well ahead of the April 2013 ban on referral fees to best inform claims management companies and solicitors on exactly how the watchdog will monitor and enforce compliance.
CMCs face fee hike under MoJ proposals
The Ministry of Justice has suggested raising application fees for new claims management firms in the coming year from £950 to £1400.
Interview: Des Hudson - Fighting his corner
Six years as the chief executive of the Law Society has not quelled Des Hudson's battling instincts. He talks to Post about upcoming legal changes and his relationship with the insurance industry.
SRA warns industry to take new referral fee rules seriously
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has warned the industry that it will clamp down on any firms that breach new rules governing referral fees due to come into force in April.