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Climate risk and biodiversity

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Lucy Dyson , Partner

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.

Procedure, Damages and Costs

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Jonathan Wyles, Of Counsel

Alternative Dispute Resolution received a boost in 2024, when the Civil Procedure Rules were amended to expressly empower the court to order ADR. These changes follow the December 2023 judgment in Churchill v Merthyr Tydfil [2023] EWCA Civ 1416, in which the Court of Appeal concluded that it was lawful for the court to order parties to engage in ADR, provided the process does not interfere with the parties' access to a judicial determination.

Construction

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Alan Stone, Partner and Ben Goodier, Partner and Tom Green, Partner and Zoe Eastell, Partner

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.

Property and business interruption

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Jonathan Wyles, Of Counsel

Technip Saudi Arabia Limited v The Mediterranean & Gulf Insurance and Reinsurance Co. (MedGulf) [2024] EWCA Civ 481 concerned a dispute over coverage for a claim by Technip under its construction all risks policy with MedGulf written on an amended WELCAR wording. The claim arose from damage to a wellhead platform offshore of Saudi Arabia caused by a tug. The tug was chartered by Technip, who had contracted with the wellhead's owner, KJO, an unincorporated joint venture.

Contingency

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Naomi Vary, Partner and Robert Morris, Partner

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.

Restructuring & Insolvency

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Finella Fogarty, Partner, Head of Restructuring & Insolvency and Paul Bagon, Partner

2024 has seen one of the most significant insolvency cases in recent years. In June, Justice Leech handed down his judgment on the claim brought by the liquidators of BHS against certain of its former directors for wrongful trading and misfeasance. This judgment is likely to have important consequences for the D&O market.

Cyber and data

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Elizabeth Zang, Associate and Richard Breavington, Partner and Daniel Guilfoyle, Partner and Rachel Ford, Partner and Jonathan Crompton, Partner

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.

D&O

Published on 14 Jan 2025.

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.

What 6 key challenges will insurers face in 2024?

Published on 11 Jan 2024. By Simon Laird, Partner, Insurance Sector Lead

Climate change, Artificial Intelligence and ESG top this year's predictions in latest edition of Annual insurance review from international law firm RPC

Annual Insurance Review 2024: Procedure damages & costs

Published on 11 Jan 2024.

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.

Annual Insurance Review 2024: Product liability

Published on 11 Jan 2024.

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.

Annual Insurance Review 2024: Construction

Published on 11 Jan 2024. By Alan Stone, Partner and Ben Goodier, Partner and Tom Green, Partner and Zoe Eastell, Partner

In this chapter of our Annual Insurance Review 2024, we look at the main developments in 2023 and expected issues in 2024 for Construction.

Annual Insurance Review 2023

Published on 12 Jan 2023. By Simon Laird, Partner, Insurance Sector Lead

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.

What are the 8 key concerns insurers will face in 2023?

Published on 12 Jan 2023. By Simon Laird, Partner, Insurance Sector Lead

Annual Insurance Review from international law firm RPC identifies ESG risks, climate change and cyber-attacks as top challenges.

Rise with RPC

FIG – The inclusive insurance network

The Times recognises RPC among Best Law Firms 2024

Published on 30 Oct 2023.

International law firm, RPC, has been recognised by The Times in its Best Law Firms 2024 report, an annual ranking of the top 250 law firms in England and Wales.

A matter of interpretation – the Supreme Court look at contractual interpretation once more

Published on 24 Feb 2023. By Poppy Hay, Senior Associate and Laura Stocks, Partner

In their recent Judgment in Sara & Hossein Asset Holdings Ltd (a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands) v Blacks Outdoor Retails Ltd [2023] UKSC 2 the Supreme Court adopted a commercially balanced interpretation of a lease; rejecting the overly textual approach of the Court of Appeal in favour of reading the relevant clause in the context of the lease as a whole.

Annual insurance review 2024

Published on 11 Jan 2024. By Simon Laird, Partner, Insurance Sector Lead and Robert Morris, Partner and Toby Higginson, Partner, Co-head of Clients and Markets (Insurance)

Hello and welcome to RPC's Annual insurance review – a look back at the events that shaped the insurance market in 2023 and a look forward towards what to expect in 2024.

Annual Insurance Review 2023: USA

Published on 12 Jan 2023.

In this chapter of our Annual Insurance Review 2023, we look at the main developments in 2022 and expected issues in 2023 for the USA.

Annual Insurance Review 2022

Published on 10 Jan 2022.

Welcome to RPC's 2022 annual insurance review – a look back at the events that shaped the insurance market in 2021 and a look forward towards what to expect in 2022.

Annual Insurance Review 2021

Published on 14 Jan 2021.

Welcome to RPC's 2021 annual insurance review. No prizes for guessing what we will be talking about this year.

Annual Insurance Review 2020

Published on 08 Jan 2020. By Simon Laird, Partner, Insurance Sector Lead and Robert Morris, Partner

Hello and welcome to the 2020 edition of RPC’s annual insurance review. Here you will find updates from our experts across a whole range of business classes as well as from around the world. In the articles that follow you will be able to read our take on key issues that have impacted your market in the year gone – and our thoughts on the issues likely to affect you in the year to come.

Technology and cyber

Published on 08 Jan 2020.

In this chapter of our Annual Insurance Review 2020, we look at the main developments in 2019 and expected issues in 2020 for technology and cyber.

Regulatory

Published on 08 Jan 2020. By Lauren Murphy, Senior Associate

In this chapter of our Annual Insurance Review 2020, we look at the main developments in 2019 and expected issues in 2020 for regulatory.

Marine and shipping

Published on 08 Jan 2020. By William Jones, Of Counsel and Toby Savage, Partner

In this chapter of our Annual Insurance Review 2020, we look at the main developments in 2019 and expected issues in 2020 for marine and shipping.

Annual Insurance Review 2019

Published on 21 Jan 2019. By Simon Laird, Partner, Insurance Sector Lead and Robert Morris, Partner

Welcome to RPC’s Annual Insurance Review

Annual Insurance Review 2018

Published on 17 Jan 2018.

Welcome to RPC’s Annual Insurance Review for 2018.

Annual Insurance Review 2018: Accountants

Published on 17 Jan 2018.

In this chapter of our Annual Insurance Review 2018, we look at the main developments in 2017 and expected issues in 2018 for accountants.

Annual Insurance Review 2017

Published on 09 Jan 2017. By Simon Laird, Partner, Insurance Sector Lead

Last year we identified the standout insurance law event of 2015 as the impending introduction of the Insurance Act 2015. Little did we anticipate the tumultuous events of 2016 that would shake up the global economic markets as a whole.

Annual Insurance Review 2016

Published on 08 Jan 2016.

Landmark insurance law reform and market consolidation

Annual Insurance Review 2014

Published on 16 Jan 2015.

Landmark insurance law reform and dealing with economic recovery which remains gradual

Money Covered: The Week That Was - 18 July 2025

Published on 18 Jul 2025. By Rachael Healey, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner and Kirstie Pike, Partner and Kate Hill, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

Non-bank firms, their directors and insurers: mind the (non-financial misconduct) gap!

Published on 17 Jul 2025. By Mike Newham, Partner and Lauren Paterson, Associate and Catherine Zakarias-Welch, Knowledge Lawyer

Earlier this month the FCA published its final policy statement and consultation paper CP25/18 introducing a new rule, COCON 1.1.7R, extending existing rules on non-financial misconduct (NFM) from banks (only) to non-banking firms. The FCA has also made clear that firms will be required to report serious substantiated NFM to the FCA and include the same in regulatory references to prevent "rolling bad apples" within the industry.

Insurance Covered: Why does everyone ignore insurance? (Even though it's the answer for everything) (With Lorcan Hall)

Published on 15 Jul 2025.

Welcome to Insurance Covered, the podcast that covers everything insurance.

Money Covered: The Week That Was - 11 July 2025

Published on 11 Jul 2025. By Rachael Healey, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner and Kirstie Pike, Partner and Kate Hill, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

AI-dentifying risks: ensuring trust: the new RICS standard

Published on 09 Jul 2025. By Katharine Cusack, Partner and Catherine Zakarias-Welch, Knowledge Lawyer and Emma Wherry, Of Counsel

On 4 March 2025, the RICS ran a public consultation on its new professional standard, "Responsible use of AI 1st Edition" which ran until 29 April 2025. Members were asked to participate in order to help frame the way in which the RICS incorporates the use of AI in the industry.

Supreme Court resolves key construction and professional negligence issues in URS Corp Ltd v BDW Trading Ltd

Published on 09 Jul 2025. By Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer and Ben Goodier, Partner and Alexandra Anderson, Partner

The Supreme Court handed down its keenly awaited judgment in URS Corp Ltd v BDW Trading Ltd [2025] UKSC 21 on 21 May 2025. The dispute concerns whether a developer (BDW Trading Ltd) can recover the cost of remedying allegedly dangerous defects in two residential developments from the structural engineers (URS Corporation Ltd) responsible for their design. Our specialist construction insurance team consider the key points for insurers, brokers and professional consultants.

ML Covered - July 2025

Published on 07 Jul 2025. By Rachael Healey, Partner and Matthew Watson, Partner and Kim Wright, Senior Associate and Zoe Melegari, Senior Associate and Andrew Oberholzer, Senior Associate and Charlotte Bray, Associate

We are pleased to share our latest instalment of ML Covered, our monthly round-up of key events relevant to those dealing with Management Liability Policies covering D&O, EPL and PTL-type risks.

Money Covered: The Week That Was - 4 July 2025

Published on 04 Jul 2025. By Rachael Healey, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner and Kirstie Pike, Partner and Kate Hill, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

Beyond the 'threshold'? A narrowing view of work equipment

Published on 27 Jun 2025. By Thom Lumley, Partner and Catherine Zakarias-Welch, Knowledge Lawyer

We take a look at the case of George Morriss v London Borough of Hillingdon [2025] EWHC - In another significant ruling on liability for injuries sustained on public highways, the court reinforces the considerable evidentiary responsibility resting with claimants.

Insurance Bulletin - Hong Kong Summer 2025

Published on 24 Jun 2025. By Andrew Carpenter, Partner and Beverly Yee, Senior Associate and Heidi Ng, Associate

A look at insuring today's diversity (With Heidi McCormack)

Published on 17 Jun 2025.

Welcome to Insurance Covered, the podcast that covers everything insurance. In this episode, Peter Mansfield is joined by Heidi McCormack, CEO at Emerald Life, to discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion in the insurance industry.

ML Covered - June 2025

Published on 06 Jun 2025. By Matthew Watson, Partner and Rachael Healey, Partner and Kim Wright, Senior Associate and Zoe Melegari, Senior Associate and Andrew Oberholzer, Senior Associate and Charlotte Bray, Associate

We are pleased to share our latest instalment of ML Covered, our monthly round-up of key events relevant to those dealing with Management Liability Policies covering D&O, EPL and PTL-type risks.

Surveying the risks: RICS proposed updates tackling financial crime

Published on 02 Jun 2025. By Ben Goodier, Partner and Emma Wherry, Of Counsel and Catherine Zakarias-Welch, Knowledge Lawyer

Financial crime is on the rise. In response to the new technologies criminals are using, such as AI and cryptocurrency, RICS launched a consultation calling on members, regulated firms and key stakeholders to respond to its consultation on proposed changes to "The Financial Crime Standard" (The RICS Countering Financial Crime: Bribery, Corruption, Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Sanctions Violation Professional Standard).

Money Covered: The Week That Was – 30 May 2025

Published on 30 May 2025. By Rachael Healey, Partner and Robert Morris, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner and Matthew Watson, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

Warranty and Indemnity Insurance Q&A – Current Trends and What to Look Out For

Published on 29 May 2025. By Andrew Carpenter, Partner and Heidi Ng, Associate

The Asia Warranty and Indemnity (W&I) insurance market is expanding rapidly to meet demand as businesses and market participants become increasingly aware of the benefits that transactional insurance can offer. The dynamics in this space are everchanging – the incorporation of W&I in deals, insurers' expectations on the level of due diligence, terms of policies and level of coverage provided are all adapting to demand. This article highlights some recent trends we have encountered and factors to look out for in order to seize opportunities in current market conditions.

Lliuya v RWE AG - Expanding climate impact litigation

Published on 29 May 2025. By Lucy Dyson , Partner and Marcela Calife Marotti, Senior Associate

The German court has today (28 May 2025) dismissed the long-running climate impact litigation case of Lliuya v RWE , heard before the Higher Regional Court of Hamm, Germany, between 17 and 19 March 2025.

Money Covered: The Week That Was – 23 May 2025

Published on 23 May 2025. By Rachael Healey, Partner and Robert Morris, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner and Matthew Watson, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

A look at Takaful insurance (With Wajahat Khawaja)

Published on 20 May 2025.

Welcome to Insurance Covered, the podcast that covers everything insurance. In this episode Peter is joined by Wajahat Khawaja and the topic of discussion is Takaful, an Islamic form of insurance.