Legal
Your opinions - from the Forums: ULR/Legal expense insurance
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Cuts to HSE inspection regime offer an opportunity for brokers
A paper from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will be reducing its proactive inspections by one third, a cut of approximately 11,000 inspections per year.
Concern over risk indicators in wake of ECJ gender ruling
The European Court of Justice’s (ECJ) decision to ban insurers from discriminating against gender has raised fears that other risk indicators, such as age, will also be taken into consideration.
Bribery Act looms as guidance is published
The director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keir Starmer QC, and the director of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), Richard Alderman, have issued joint guidance for prosecutors on the Bribery Act 2010.
Jackson proposals to be implemented in full
The Lord Chancellor, Kenneth Clarke, today announced in the House of Commons proposals for implementing major changes to the way in which civil litigation is funded in England and Wales.
Man dealt one year prison sentence for personal injury fraud
A man who submitted an inflated £1.35m claim for damages for injuries in a car crash has been sentenced to one year’s imprisonment after the courts found him guilty of contempt of court.
ABI gives thumbs up to Osborne's Lord Young promise
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has welcomed UK Chancellor George Osborne’s promise to implement the recommendations in Lord Young’s report on health and safety in full.
Ecclesiastical wins dog walker case
Ecclesiastical has hailed its success in a recent court case with a dog walker who sued after slipping when walking dogs on grass as a “victory for common sense”.
Judge dismisses Towergate claim of Lorica attack
Towergate Underwriting has lost a pre-action disclosure application in the High Court and been ordered to pay £17,000 in costs to Lorica Insurance Brokers.
ABI calls for ban on referral fees
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has responded to the publication of the House of Commons Transport Committee report into the cost of motor insurance, labelling it a missed opportunity.
Review: Business combined policy for metal manufacturers
This product has been reviewed by brokers and rated from one to five stars, based on the policy’s key benefits.
News analysis - online: Brightside comparison site plans spark aggregator debate
The intention of Brightside Group to build a commercial aggregator following its purchase of technology company Quote Exchange, has reignited the debate over whether or not aggregators can eat into the broker commercial lines arena.
Products & schemes: Feedback prompts PPU
Staysure.co.uk, a provider of travel insurance for over 50s, has unveiled a unique Passenger Protection Upgrade (PPU) package that offers £25,000 travel legal dispute cover, £3,000 end supplier failure cover and double the missed departure benefits.
News analysis - regulation: new regulator confidentiality proposal could spell trouble
Brokers have been warned that the recent announcement of a change in name of their future regulator, from the Consumer Protection and Market Authority to the Financial Conduct Authority, has come with a potential sting in the tail.
Reportage - SME: SMEs under the regulatory spotlight
The risks that the SME sector faces on a daily basis have increased significantly over the past 10 years. Rising regulation and an increasingly litigious society mean that such businesses are facing an ever-growing rate of claims often not covered by the…
News analysis - regulation: brokers warned off overseas insurers
Brokers have been warned to take heed of current legal restrictions when they consider working with offshore providers.
Video: The Bribery Act 2010 delay - part 2 advice for brokers
After Justice Secretary Ken Clarke made clear the delay did not mean Government had any intention of "watering down" the Act, partner at Browne Jacobson, Matthew Woodford, advises brokers on how to prepare for the new rules.
Bent case could force drivers to shop around for credit hire
A case involving footballer Darren Bent could impact UK car drivers who accept a replacement vehicle following a crash, Allianz has warned.
Reportage - engineering: Keeping things ticking over
With news of cutbacks to the HSE budget, there are fears the engineering inspection sector will suffer. Neil Clutterbuck advises how brokers can ensure their clients' equipment meets UK standards and help reduce risk.
Reportage - Risk management: The commercial menu
Risk management is often touted as a way in which brokers can differentiate themselves from their competitors. Edward Murray asks why it is not offered to commercial clients as standard.
E-commerce: Simply Business reveals ambitious GWP growth plans
Simply Business, has unveiled a gross written premium target of £100m by the end of 2012, up from £41m last year.
Government awaits LSB report ahead of referral fee decision
The uncertainty around the future of referral fees has persisted despite recent legal judgements indicating that Lord Justice Jackson's recommendations will be adopted.
Director's and Officer's: A D&O deluge
Emmanuel Kenning takes an overview of the D&O sector and asks where the market will go next after a host of developments in 2010.
News review: January 2011
Groupama announced its plans to transfer the Liverpool and Glasgow-based commercial motor accounts of broker Choice Quote to its sister business Bollington, as part of a restructure of its GUK Broking Services arm.