On 14 December 2010, the UK’s Office of Fair Trading (OFT) announced that it is to undertake a study of competition in the UK private healthcare market. Such studies, which typically last for 6-12 months, can lead to the OFT making recommendations to government on how competition could be improved and/or a full market investigation reference to the Competition Commission (CC). 
Read More UK: OFT to Launch Market Study into Private Healthcare

In Templeton Insurance Ltd v Motorcare Warranties Ltd [2010] EWHC 3113 (Comm) the Commercial Court heard a dispute between Templeton, an insurance company incorporated in the Isle of Man, engaged in the business of selling mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI), and its UK agent, Motorcare. 
Read More UK: Fraudulent Misrepresentation by Onshore Agent to Offshore Insurer

Mortgage Express v Mehrban Michael Singh Sawali [2010] EWHC 3054 (Ch) concerned attempts by Mortgage Express to obtain the entire contents of a solicitor’s files created in relation to the solicitor’s joint retention by Mortgage Express and a number of its borrowers. 
Read More UK: High Court Ruling Causes Headache for Solicitors’ Professional Indemnity Insurers

In the wake of the worldwide financial crisis and election of the UK’s coalition govrnment, HM Treasury proposed a wholesale overhaul of the financial regulatory system in the UK in a consultation document issued in July 2010 entitled “A new approach to financial regulation: judgement, focus and stability“. 
Read More UK: Treasury Publishes Responses to its Consultation on Reforming the Financial Regulatory System

Launched by Prince Charles in 2007, ClimateWise is global collaboration of leading underwriters and brokers focused on reducing the risks of climate change.  For a complete list of member insurance companies, click here
Read More Prince Charles’ ClimateWise Finds Insurers Are Increasing Investment in Climate-Friendly Businesses

We have previously reported here on the Equitable Life (Payments) Bill, which has been subject to scrutiny in the UK Parliament. The Bill is intended to give the Treasury statutory authority to make payments to eligible former and current Equitable Life Assurance Society (Equitable Life) policyholders who have been adversely affected by the maladministration of Government regulatory bodies in the regulation of Equitable Life prior to December 2001. 
Read More UK: Equitable Life (Payments) Bill – Update

The High Court has given another lengthy ruling on issues arising in the administration of Lehman Brothers International (Europe) (LBIE). This ruling addressed general principles on the issue of title to securities (equities and fixed income securities) held by LBIE for affiliates in unsegregated house depot accounts at the point of collapse. 
Read More UK: Lehman Ruling on Title to Securities Acquired for Affiliates