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D&O
2024 highlighted the importance of a directors' duty to consider or act in the interests of creditors where a company is insolvent or bordering on insolvency. The claim brought by the liquidators of BHS Group against certain of its former directors following the group's collapse into insolvency in 2016 saw the first time where a court held company directors guilty of "misfeasant trading". The directors were held to have not considered the creditors' interests before entering into an onerous and expensive secured loan which would exhaust the group's assets if it could not be repaid. The directors were therefore found to have acted against their statutory duties by entering into the loan instead of the group going into administration.
Read moreBrokers
The claims inflation seen in the market over recent years continues to pose a significant risk in relation to underinsurance, putting brokers at risk of negligence claims where an insured finds its cover insufficient to compensate for its losses. Industry research indicates that over 40% of commercial properties are underinsured, and claims managers are increasingly having to have difficult conversations with underinsured property owners. The impact of underinsured losses can be catastrophic for customers, particularly when policies contain average clauses. Insufficient property damage cover can also lead to longer business interruption periods, which are also not adequately insured. Brokers are playing a crucial role in seeking to tackle the underinsurance crisis and should continue to have frank discussions with clients and provide detailed advice on the implications of underinsurance in the event of a claim, including the application of average clauses.
Read moreClass Actions and Collective redress
The UK group litigation/ class action landscape continues to expand, particularly in an environmental and consumer context. Whilst we still have no US-style "opt-out" class action regime for civil claims (opt-out class actions are only viable in respect of competition law infringements), the available mechanisms for seeking redress on behalf of multiple claimants, continue to be tested.
Read moreEnergy
In last year's Annual Insurance Review, we anticipated that we would see further growth in hydrogen power and that the renewable energy insurance market would continue to respond to this.
Read moreClimate risk and biodiversity
2024 closed with the conclusion of COP29 and COP16 conferences. COP29 continued discussions in relation to financing greener energy projects and compensation of developing countries in the Global South for loss and damage as a result of extreme weather events.
Read moreFinancial institutions
As we predicted last year, ESG continues to be a source of risk for financial institutions. On 31 May 2024, the Financial Conduct Authority's anti greenwashing rule came into effect. The rule applies to all FCA-authorised firms, including UK asset managers, who make sustainability related claims about financial products and services. Under the rule, sustainability related claims must be fair, clear, and not misleading. In addition, the FCA has introduced naming and marketing requirements for asset managers, differentiating between products that have sustainability objectives and use a label, and products that have sustainability characteristics but do not use or qualify for a label. Following consultation in 2024, the rule looks set to be extended to portfolio managers in Q2 2025.
Read moreConstruction
This year the new Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (the LFRA) enacted various amendments to the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA), which came into force on 24 July 2024 and 31 October 2024.
Read moreContingency
The contingency chapter of the Annual Insurance Review returns after a break. At the time of the 2022 update we expected the events market to rebound following the pandemic, although there remained lingering questions regarding entry requirements. Moving to 2024, the COVID restrictions appear to be a thing of the past, with attendance at events depending on a personal risk assessment rather than a vaccine passport or negative test. Despite the inevitable litigation following declinature of COVID claims, events and the contingency market have returned to normality.
Read moreFinancial professionals
In March 2024 the FCA published the findings from its Thematic Review of retirement income advice, looking at the landscape c. 9 years post-pension freedoms against the backdrop of an ageing population. No fundamental problems were identified but the FCA set out some areas for improvement, from more consistent fact finding to considering the value being provided in respect of any ongoing services.
Read moreAccountants
A key trend for the accounting world in 2024 was the sheer number of corporate insolvencies, and the knock-on effect of this in terms of claims against accountants. The number of corporate insolvencies continued to build upon the record levels already seen in 2023, which saw the highest number of annual corporate insolvencies for 30 years. The Insolvency Service's Annual Report in July 2024, for example, reported almost 11,000 new insolvency cases in the previous 12 months, an increase from just over 9,000 the previous year.
Read moreGeneral liability
This has been a dramatic year for cases involving fundamental dishonesty. In Williams-Henry v Associated British Ports Holdings Ltd, the King's Bench Division found that the Claimant, who had suffered a moderately severe brain injury, had dishonestly exaggerated her symptoms and attempted to inflate the value of her claim by over £1million. Although liability was admitted and, but for her dishonesty, she would still have been entitled to damages just under £600,000, the Court dismissed the whole of her claim. The Judge found that, given the extent of her deception, there would be no substantial injustice to the Claimant by her losing the genuine elements of her claim along with the dishonest ones.
Read moreCyber and data
Last year's edition of the Annual Insurance Review included predictions that 2024 would see a trend towards an increased general level of cyber security given (i) the importance placed on security measures by regulatory bodies such as the ICO and (ii) the focus cyber underwriters had placed on assessing prospective insureds' security before offering cover.
Read moreHealth and Safety
As the single greatest cause of work-related deaths due to past exposure (according to HSE's Annual health and safety statistics 2024.
Read moreInternational arbitration
The Arbitration Bill received its first and second readings in parliament in July 2024. Having first come before parliament in September 2023 under the UK's then Conservative government, it will once again proceed through the House of Lords and House of Commons, before receiving Royal Assent and becoming law.
Read moreArt & specie
Following reports in 2023 that the British Museum had discovered that around 2,000 artefacts were either lost or damaged, it has this year concluded its internal investigation. The Museum found that it had not been compliant with UK legislation regarding how such artefacts should be kept. The Public Records Act requires all UK museums and libraries to meet basic standards of preservation, access and professional care. The consequences of such failings can mean collections being transferred elsewhere or handed over to the National Archives, although it seems the British Museum may be spared this outcome. The Museum is working with the National Archives to ensure their future compliance. This will include the introduction of new policies, such as defining what comprises its collection, introducing a policy for registering items, and improving its policy for reporting unlocated items.
Read moreIntellectual property
Since our 2021 Review we have returned frequently to Sky v Skykick, a trade mark dispute that has been ongoing since 2016. In November 2024, the Supreme Court overturned the decision of the Court of Appeal (see here) finding that an inference of bad faith may be drawn if sufficient evidence exists – as there was in this case – that the applicant had never had any intention to supply or provide certain goods or services for which it sought trade mark protection. Once an inference of bad faith has been drawn, this may prove grounds for a mark to be wholly or partially invalidated.
Read moreAviation
In this this inaugural aviation chapter of the Annual Insurance Review, it would be impossible not to focus on the continuing upheaval wrought by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The aviation industry, which had largely weathered the disruption of the Covid pandemic, has been faced with new challenges since February 2022. Closure of European airspace to Russian aircraft, and of Russian airspace to aircraft from "unfriendly" countries, has forced route networks to adapt. Western sanctions which prohibited the supply of aircraft to Russian airlines have derailed longstanding relationships between Western aircraft lessors and their Russian customers. Prohibitions on the provision of insurance have similarly impacted aviation business models.
Read moreLegal practices
A crumbling regulator? The SRA is facing difficult questions about its effectiveness as a regulator in the wake of the collapse of Axiom Ince, which led to the disappearance of £62million and the loss of around 1,400 jobs. Initially Insurers received a flood of claims totalling around £33million. In an unpopular move, the SRA announced the profession will cover the loss through a 270% rise in contributions to the Compensation Fund.
Read moreLife sciences
COVID-19 continued to dominate life sciences headlines in 2024. The COVID-19 Inquiry has continued in earnest. Module 3, which focussed on the impact of the pandemic on healthcare systems has recently concluded. Damning evidence has been heard about the immense toll on healthcare staff, and the detrimental impact on NHS waiting times.
Read moreMarine and shipping
Two words are dominating the shipping sector in 2024 – "shadow fleet". The shadow (or "dark" or "grey") fleet is a reference to vessels which transport oil and petrochemical cargoes on behalf of sanctioned countries. Western economies finance, operate and insure the vast majority of the world's merchant fleet. Expansion of US, EU and UK sanctions means that, in general, vessels carrying cargoes from sanctioned countries cannot operate within the usual international shipping infrastructure. They are forced to go "dark" in a far more opaque part of the shipping sector. Until 2022 the shadow fleet was relatively small – restricted mainly to the carriage of Venezuelan and Iranian oil/petrochemical cargoes. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 – and the expansion of international sanctions against Russia – has vastly increased the shadow fleet.
Read moreMedia
The Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA) introduced a suite of obligations for "user-to-user" services and search engines which target the UK and/or have a significant number of UK users. In 2024, secondary legislation and Codes of Practice published by the regulator, Ofcom, began the process of giving the OSA practical effect.
Read moreWhat 6 key challenges will insurers face in 2024?
Climate change, Artificial Intelligence and ESG top this year's predictions in latest edition of Annual insurance review from international law firm RPC
Read moreAnnual Insurance Review 2024: Procedure damages & costs
In this chapter of our Annual Insurance Review 2024, we look at the main developments in 2023 and expected issues in 2024 for Procedure damages & costs.
Read moreAnnual Insurance Review 2024: Product liability
In this chapter of our Annual Insurance Review 2024, we look at the main developments in 2023 and expected issues in 2024 for Product liability.
Read moreAnnual Insurance Review 2024: Construction
In this chapter of our Annual Insurance Review 2024, we look at the main developments in 2023 and expected issues in 2024 for Construction.
Read moreAnnual Insurance Review 2023
Hello and welcome to RPC's Annual Insurance Review – a look back at the events that shaped the insurance market in 2022 and a look forward towards what to expect in 2023.
Read moreWhat are the 8 key concerns insurers will face in 2023?
Annual Insurance Review from international law firm RPC identifies ESG risks, climate change and cyber-attacks as top challenges.
Read moreCarers Week Special (Part 2): Intersectional nuances, wellbeing and creating carer-friendly workplaces, with Rachel Pears and Zahra Lakhan-Bunbury
Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast where we discuss all things employment.
Read moreHong Kong’s New 468 Rule for Continuous Employment
On 18 June 2025, LegCo passed the Employment (Amendment) Bill 2025 (the "Bill"). The Bill revises the working hours threshold for determining continuous employment and makes it easier for employees to enjoy the employment protection available under the Employment Ordinance (Cap. 57). The revised continuous contract requirement will take effect from 18 January 2026.
Read moreCarers Week Special (Part 1): Lived experiences, the law and the role of employers, with Rachel Pears and Zahra Lakhan-Bunbury
Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast where we discuss all things employment.
Read moreSupreme Court ruling on the definition of "sex": What does this mean for employers? with Patrick Brodie and Kelly Thomson
Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast series where we explore how your business can navigate today's tricky people challenges and respond to key developments in the ever-evolving world of employment law.
Read moreThe Work Couch: Navigating trauma in the legal world (Part 2), with Rebecca Norris and Camilla Wells: Implementing a trauma-informed work culture
Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast where we discuss all things employment.
Read moreThe Work Couch: Navigating trauma in the legal world (Part 1), with Rebecca Norris and Camilla Wells: Spotting the signs and understanding the science
Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast where we discuss all things employment.
Read moreTen years of the Modern Slavery Act: renewed focus on business responsibility
On 24 March 2025, the Home Office published its updated Transparency in Supply Chains (TISC) guidance, offering detailed recommendations to assist organisations in complying with their obligations under Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
Read moreNeonatal Care Leave: What do employers need to know?
On 6 April 2025, the long-awaited new statutory right to neonatal care leave came into effect in England, Wales and Scotland. The new right provides employees with up to 12 weeks' leave if their babies spend an extended period in neonatal care.
Read moreThe Work Couch: Neonatal care leave (Part 2): Managing the process and supporting employees, with Joanna Holford and Catriona Ogilvy
Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast where we discuss all things employment.
Read moreThe Work Couch: Neonatal care leave (Part 1): What is the new right, who is eligible, and does the law go far enough? With Joanna Holford and Catriona Ogilvy
Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast where we discuss all things employment.
Read moreThe Work Couch: What to expect at an employment tribunal: appearing as a witness, with Kim Wright and Joseph England
Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast where we discuss all things employment.
Read moreEmployment Rights Bill: 10 key amendments explained
On 5 March 2025, the government published a 200 page amendment paper containing a wide range of amendments to the draft Employment Rights Bill (the Bill). A number of the amendments follow the government's response to various consultations on some of the most significant proposed reforms. We highlight 10 of the key amendments and what they mean for employers.
Read moreThe Work Couch: Data protection and HR-related challenges (Part 2), with Jon Bartley and Helen Yost
Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast where we discuss all things employment.
Read moreThe Work Couch: Preventing sexual harassment - is your business compliant?
Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast where we discuss all things employment.
Read moreThe Work Couch: Data protection and HR-related challenges (Part 1), with Jon Bartley and Helen Yost
Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast where we discuss all things employment.
Read moreThe Work Couch: What's on the horizon for employment law in 2025?
Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast series where we explore how your business can navigate today's tricky people challenges and respond to key developments in the ever-evolving world of employment law.
Read moreThe Work Couch: Disability inclusion at work (Part 3): What does genuine accessibility look like? with Samantha Renke
Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast series where we explore how your business can navigate today's tricky people challenges and respond to key developments in the ever-evolving world of employment law.
Read moreThe Work Couch: Disability inclusion at work (Part 2): Narratives, reasonable adjustments, and the business case for accessibility, with Samantha Renke
Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast series where we explore how your business can navigate today's tricky people challenges and respond to key developments in the ever-evolving world of employment law.
Read moreThe Work Couch: Disability inclusion at work (Part 1): The lived experience, with Samantha Renke
Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast series where we explore how your business can navigate today's tricky people challenges and respond to key developments in the ever-evolving world of employment law.
Read moreThe Work Couch: How to tackle seven tricky disciplinary issues, with Joanna Holford
Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast series where we explore how your business can navigate today's tricky people challenges and respond to key developments in the ever-evolving world of employment law.
Read moreThe Work Couch: Employment Rights Bill: What employers need to know, with Patrick Brodie
Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast series where we explore how your business can navigate today's tricky people challenges and respond to key developments in the ever-evolving world of employment law.
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