As the date for professional indemnity insurance renewal approaches, it is becoming clear that in many cases it will again be the indemnity insurers who have the final say as to which firms live and which die. Anxiety is running high in some quarters as to whether insurers will make an offer and whether that offer will be economically viable.
Where insurance is not obtained on the open market and where a merger or takeover is not possible, options remain extremely limited.
Can a firm avoid becoming a successor practice if it takes over or merges with another firm? The answer is yes, provided that certain steps are taken.
This year?s professional indemnity insurance renewal is likely to be one of the most difficult the profession has seen for some considerable time and many firms should already be making contingency arrangements in the event that they are not successful in placing their insurance business. This item looks at some of the issues.
In order to be able to practice, all solicitors must now have professional indemnity insurance taken out in accordance with the Solicitors’ Indemnity Insurance Rules and this must meet the minimum terms and conditions. It may be provided by a qualifying insurer or via the assigned risks pool.