Ministry of Justice (MoJ)
Claims Management Regulator issues first fine to nuisance CMC
A claims management company that pestered people with nuisance calls about noise induced hearing loss claims has become the first firm to be fined under new regulatory powers.
ABI urges government to tackle CMCs amid rising motor prices
The average price paid by motorists for an annual comprehensive motor insurance policy rose by 2.1% in Q2 compared to the first quarter of 2015.
MoJ considers Medco overhaul two months after ruling out 'fundamental changes'
The Ministry of Justice has said it will consider reforming the Medco portal just two months after it told Post it was too early to consider "fundamental changes" to the medical reporting system.
Wallis reappointed Claims Portal chairman
Tim Wallis has been reappointed chairman of Claims Portal Limited following a review of the role.
Fundamental changes to Medco ruled out despite early criticism
The Ministry of Justice is said to be reviewing Medco’s integration but will not consider a major overhaul amid criticism from law firms over the whiplash portal’s performance in the six weeks since its inception.
Claims portals show drop in new claims
All Ministry of Justice claims portals registered double digit reductions in the number of new claims submitted over the first three months of the year, after several months of consecutive increases.
Elite offering PII to MROs as Medco minimum cover requirement is set at £1m
Unrated insurer Elite Insurance has “leapt to the aid” of medical reporting organisations that want to be considered for the Medco portal by offering professional indemnity cover.
Foil condemns MoJ court fees hike
The Forum of Insurance Lawyers has criticised a Ministry of Justice proposal to raise court fees in order to subsidise other parts of the court service.
Doctors urged to submit applications for Medco portal
Doctors wishing to provide medical reports under the new civil procedure rules have been asked to complete an expression of interest survey on the Medco website by 4 January 2015.
Hertzell seeking wide range of industry experts for fraud taskforce
The government taskforce set up to tackle insurance fraud will include a small number of senior representatives from the wider insurance industry, Law Commissioner David Hertzell has confirmed.
MoJ’s Grayling outlines 1 April start for whiplash portal MedCo
The new regime to accredit and distribute work to medico legal firms will go live on 1 April 2015 it was announced today.
Credit hire: A missed opportunity
The Competition and Markets Authority report on the private motor market was met with criticism over its lack of action on credit hire practices. So what action can the industry take?
MoJ opens consultation on hiked CMC fees
The Ministry of Justice has opened a new consultation into the regulation fees paid by claims management companies for the 2015/16 regulation year.
In Series - Personal Injury: Hear we go
As legal reforms make whiplash claims less profitable, claims farmers appear to be moving into areas such as industrial deafness. But will they see the same level of success?
Jackson urges government action to extend fixed costs
Lord Justice Jackson is urging government to apply his recommendation that fixed costs should apply to all fast track cases in order to halt a "serious lacuna" in cost management rules.
Lord Chancellor seeking expert panel for discount rate review
The Lord Chancellor is sourcing a panel of three experts to provide testimony on potential changes to the discount rate on personal injury damages.
Regulated CMC numbers down 22%
Numbers of regulated claims management companies had dropped by almost 600 as of March 2014, according to statistics from the Ministry of Justice.
MoJ capping whiplash report costs at £180
The Ministry of Justice has laid out plans to limit the cost of whiplash medical assessment fees in England and Wales at £180.
Aviva calls for rehab-only compensation for minor road accident injuries
Aviva is pushing for changes to motor insurance compensation including cutting cash compensation for minor whiplash injuries and restricting personal injury lawyers to cases where their expertise is needed.
Rogue CMCs face thousands of pounds in fines
Rogue claims firms who bombard people with nuisance calls could face large fines under plans announced by Justice Minister Lord Faulks QC.
MoJ plans strike out legislation for fraudulent claims
The Ministry of Justice is to step up its fight against fraudulent insurance claims by introducing legislation to require courts to reject entire compensation claims where a claimant has been “fundamentally” dishonest.
Impact on premiums of ‘heroism' Bill questioned
The Social Action, Responsibilities and Heroism Bill, announced in the Queen's Speech, will have little impact on insurance premiums, according to insurance law firm Browne Jacobson.
ABI strikes back at claims of government deal over Mesothelioma Act
The Association of British Insurers has hit back at claims it entered into a deal with government over changes to the Mesothelioma Act saying the debate is dominated by the vested interests of claimant solicitors.
Whiplash reform consultation criticised for being ‘vague’ and ‘watered down’
Fixed fees for medical reports among areas of concern for stakeholders