The irresponsible actions of a minority of law firms, after-the-event insurers and claims handling companies is threatening to derail Lord Woolf's legal reforms, the Forum of Insurance Lawyers (Foil) claims.
The body for insurance lawyers said that while a majority of lawyers and insurers were committed to Woolf, some parties were pushing for unreasonable success fees in some of the 90% of claims which are settled prior to proceedings.
Foil said: "It is our view that paying an after-the-event premium in these cases where there is no risk, is unreasonable and benefits nobody except the ATE insurer or claims handler."
It added: "It is far preferable and more cost-effective to pay properly underwritten ATE premiums in the 10% of claims which go to proceedings and where a risk to the claimant actually exists."
Foil said Woolf's reforms were intended to cut the cost of litigation and speed up claims settlement.
Hosted by comedian and actor Tom Allen, 34 Gold, 23 Silver and 22 Bronze awards were handed out across an amazing 34 categories recognising brilliance and innovation right across the breadth of UK general insurance.
