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National law firm, Weightmans LLP, has unveiled its latest innovation in predictive analytics – PREDiCT Volume – a powerful data-driven solution designed to improve reserve accuracy, cut claims lifecycles and reduce indemnity spend in low-value personal injury claims. PREDiCT Volume marks the next evolution in Weightmans’ analytics suite, following the firm’s proven success with its flagship PREDiCT Large Loss tool, which delivered £101 million in savings for insurers last year. Targeted at claims across Motor, Employer’s Liability and Public Liability valued up to £50,000, early pilot results show that PREDiCT Volume delivers clear financial and operational benefits. Compared to handler-approved reserves, which exceeded final settlement costs by nearly 59%, the tool’s projections were just 8.6% above the actual paid amounts, helping to reduce capital lock-up by an estimated £18.7 million. Claims handled with the tool were resolved 14% faster on average, cutting delays and legal costs, while projected savings on indemnity spend reached £3.82 million across the pilot portfolio. Will Quinn, partner at Weightmans and lead on the PREDiCT project, said: “With PREDiCT, we’ve already shown how augmented intelligence can unlock exceptional value in large-loss claims. PREDiCT Volume now brings that same transformation to lower-value, high-volume cases – a space where consistency, speed and accuracy are critical. “This isn’t just about technology for its own sake, it’s about helping insurers make better decisions that ultimately lead to better outcomes. The pilot data speaks volumes, and we’re confident PREDiCT Volume will set a new standard in claims analytics.” Developed in-house by the national law firm’s data science team, PREDiCT Large Loss was introduced to the market in July 2021. Analysis of settlement outcomes, calculated from a portfolio of more than 140 complex claims settled between July 2021 and December 2024, demonstrated significant improvements in reserving accuracy, reduced the median lifecycle of claims by 7% overall, and lowered overall indemnity spend. The latest model update, PREDiCT 2.1, which incorporates over 12 months of additional settlement data and updated claims inflation information, went live in May 2025. Testing of the updated tool has demonstrated yet further improvements. ENDS   Editors Notes: Weightmans is one of the UK’s most respected and award-winning law firms, with over 1,600 people across offices in Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, London, Manchester and Newcastle. In January 2025, Weightmans was awarded Top Employer status for the 18th time with a top five ranking, by global body, Top Employers Institute. At Weightmans, we believe in the power of people, innovation and partnership to provide strategic business insight and deep expertise to a range of private companies, public sector organisations and individuals. By thinking differently allows us to see the possibilities others don't. We see the possibility of envisioning a better future, for better relationships and in people, whoever they are. We see the possibility in everything. Our vision is to be a Top 30 law firm. For further information please contact Richard Lackey, PR Manager on 0151 243 3328 or email [email protected]

UK law firm Ashfords has again reported strong financial results for 2025/26 with revenue increasing by 6% to £65m. The performance has triggered a 7% firm-wide bonus for the fifth consecutive year. Following significant investment in technology and people, profit rose by 3%. Over the past year, the firm has implemented Thomson Reuters’ Elite 3E platform and enhanced its employee benefits package, including increased pension contributions, expanded income protection, paid volunteering leave and the introduction of an electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme. Ashfords CEO, Louise Workman, who last year launched a new five-year strategy for the firm targeting sustainable growth, said: “Following a year of significant investment across the firm, it is particularly pleasing to report such a strong set of results. Just as importantly, these results allow us to reward our people, whose expertise, commitment and dedication are central to our success and the service we deliver to clients. Growth at Ashfords is not about scale alone. It is about growing in a way that strengthens our culture, enhances the quality of our work and creates long-term value for both our clients and our colleagues. This year’s results demonstrate that we are successfully delivering on that ambition.” The firm has also continued to attract a strong cohort of lateral hires at partner level. Recent joiners include Thomas Middlehurst and Emma Harris (private wealth), Alexis Karim (corporate), Ben Xu (immigration), and Ben Hogan and David Cave (projects). Other highlights from the year include being named Law Firm of the Year at Bristol Law Society Awards and being shortlisted for Independent Law Firm of the Year at The Lawyer awards.

UK law firm Ashfords has been appointed as a supplier on Government Commercial Agency's (GCA) RM6374 Legal Panel for Public Sector framework, providing legal services to public sector organisations across England and Wales. The appointment sees Ashfords named as a supplier across six key lots, an increase from two lots on the previous framework: Lot 1a – Full Legal Service Provision (All Public Sector) Lot 1b – Full Legal Service Provision (Local Government and Local Communities) Lot 1c – Full Legal Service Provision (Health and Social Care) Lot 2 – Focused Legal Support Lot 3 – Litigation and Disputes Lot 4 – Projects and Complex Advice (including PPP) Robin de Wreede, partner and joint head of public sector at Ashfords, said: “Being appointed to the Government Commercial Agency’s new Legal Services Framework is a significant achievement for the firm and reinforces our commitment to supporting public sector organisations with high-quality, commercially focused legal advice. We look forward to building on our existing public sector relationships and helping clients navigate opportunities and challenges across a wide range of legal matters.” For more information about Ashfords' public sector expertise, please contact our public sector & government team.

Ashfords’ partner Deborah Rowntree will chair a panel in the CFO stream at HealthInvestor UK’s Healthcare Summit 2026. Deborah will chair the session ‘Raising capital and managing refinancing risk’. This panel will explore strategies for raising capital in the healthcare sector, with expert insights and practical tips from Nick Essex, acting chief executive officer and chief finance officer of Liaise and Jamie Stuart, co-founder and chief commercial officer of Fortava Healthcare. Healthcare finance partner Deborah Rowntree commented: “Despite ongoing challenges, including continuing economic uncertainty, an evolving political landscape, and regulatory and workforce pressures, the healthcare sector continues to demonstrate considerable resilience. “I am looking forward to joining the panel to explore how organisations can raise capital and manage risk in a changing landscape.” Deborah is a member of Ashfords' specialist healthcare sector team, led by corporate partner Jocelyn Ormond. The team advises health and social care providers across the UK, alongside the investors and lenders that support the sector, on a broad range of legal issues, including complex regulatory, governance and compliance matters. For more information, please contact our healthcare and life sciences team.