Black and minority lawyers refused cover and overcharged
Law Society president Robert Heslett says he is “concerned by indications of different treatment” of black and minority ethnic firms who are being refused compulsory insurance in what they describe as blatant race discrimination, the Guardian reports.
Some minority ethnic lawyers have seen their professional indemnity insurance rise by as much as 800%, despite having not received any complaints or claims against them.
A study by the Law Society published last month found that minority ethnic firms were being treated differently by insurance companies, with 16% not offered cover by their previous insurer, compared with 6% in the rest of the profession.
Late notification
The study also found that the firms were notified of insurers' decisions later than the rest of the profession, making it harder for them to look elsewhere for insurance.
"The Law Society is committed to working closely with the insurance markets, solicitors and the SRA [Solicitors' Regulation Authority] to try to address the root causes of the problem," Heslett said.
"We are particularly concerned by indications of different treatment of BME-owned firms. This is an issue where we are taking urgent steps to clarify and resolve the matter."
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