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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]

Ashfords is delighted to have been awarded the British Ports Association Industry Award 2026. The Industry Award recognises associate members whose services, advice or equipment have made a significant impact on the UK ports sector over the past 12 months. Our entry demonstrated the wide range of pro-bono support that we provide to the UK ports sector as well as the high standards of work, innovation, and practical solutions we deliver for port clients. Lara Moore, partner and head of the marine sector at Ashfords said: “We would like to thank the BPA and Industry for recognising Ashfords with this award which reflects the work of colleagues across Ashfords’ marine sector team and recognises the depth of our expertise and longstanding work supporting port and harbour authorities.” Ashfords is recognised nationally for our marine expertise and our work across ports, harbours and coastal developments. Ashfords is currently advising on over £1 billion of port related infrastructure projects. We act for a significant number of ports and harbours across the UK and have a real understanding of the complexities involved in running and managing them.

Ashfords associate Cathryn Butler has won the Fertility Fairness Award hosted by the IVF Network in recognition of her work supporting colleagues experiencing fertility challenges. Having been through her own fertility journey, including both successful and unsuccessful fertility treatment, Cathryn was recognised for her positive action and commitment to raising awareness and improving workplace support for those affected by fertility issues. The Fertility Fairness Awards were held at the Soho Hotel in London during baby loss awareness week and were hosted by the IVF Network, which leads the Fertility in the Workplace Ambassador Scheme. As Ashfords' fertility ambassador, Cathryn regularly engages with the Fertility in the Workplace scheme to learn from other organisations, share ideas and understand how employers can better support colleagues experiencing a wide range of fertility challenges and pathways to parenthood. Cathryn said: “While IVF is often what people think of first when they hear about fertility issues, I am keen to raise awareness that fertility challenges extend far beyond IVF and can affect people in many different ways. They can take many different forms including pregnancy loss, secondary infertility and navigating the path to parenthood for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples, with every person’s experience looking different.” Ashfords has several inclusion groups across the firm, including gender and sexuality, menopause and fertility. These initiatives provide an opportunity for people to come together, shape engagement, raise awareness and help deliver an inclusive and supportive environment at Ashfords.

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.