Insurance & Professional Risks Annual Review 2025 Published

The Strait of Hormuz has become a critical flashpoint for global maritime trade following the outbreak of hostilities involving Iran in 2026. With approximately one-fifth of global oil trade passing through this vital waterway, commercial shipping now operates under unprecedented security threats including missile attacks, drone strikes, and mine risks. Marine insurance premiums have skyrocketed from 0.125% to as high as 10% of vessel values, fundamentally altering the economics of Gulf trade and forcing th

The UK's Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority have unveiled Stage 1 of a new tailored regulatory framework for insurance captives, designed to be proportionate, competitive, and reflective of captives' lower risk profiles. With consultations closing in October 2026 and implementation targeted for mid-2027, the regime promises streamlined authorisation, bespoke capital requirements, and simplified supervision—but will it be enough to compete with established offshore jurisdic

The recently announced Budget closed a loophole in relation to premium insurance tax.

JLT has joined Placing Platform Limited (PPL), the London Market's electronic placing platform. PPL is aimed at supporting more flexible negotiation and fast placement allowing brokers...

Having begun market beta-testing of its reinsurance blockchain prototype at the Monte Carlo Rendezvous last month, the Blockchain Industry Initiative, B3i, has grown the number of participants...

The turmoil in the property and financial markets has not left the insurance industry immune, even that behemoth of the US insurance industry, AIG, has been affected.

Allegations of fraud against directors or officers frequently give rise to coverage issues under D&O insurance, particularly if insurers perceive that if the fraud allegations were true...

Judgment has recently been handed down in the matter of Corbin & King v Axa. In this case Mrs Justice Cockerill, sitting in the Commercial Court, held that a non-damage denial of access clause...

When can insurers' claims handlers' correspondence and documents be disclosed in English arbitration or court proceedings? This article examines the boundaries of Legal Professional Privilege and explores the circumstances under which materials produced by P&I Club and H&M claims handlers may be subject to disclosure obligations, even when the insurer is not a party to the proceedings.

The European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA) issued a report last week on the "Commonality of risk assessment language in cyber insurance".

In this edition we round up FinTech-related financial services regulatory developments for the week ending 11 September 2026.

The Financial Stability Board (FSB) has published a letter from its Chair and Governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, to G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors.

In this post we bring you a round-up of recent developments relating to the enforcement of UK trade sanctions breaches, together with news of further Russia-related designations

The 2025 revision of China's Cybersecurity Law (the Amendment) was adopted on October 28, 2025, and will take effect on January 1, 2026.

China has a VAT rebate system that reduces the 13% domestic value-added tax (VAT) on certain exported goods.

On 3 September 2026 the EU Commission published its long-awaited Guidelines on the application of Article 102 TFEU to abusive exclusionary conduct by dominant undertakings (Guidelines)...

The AMF, France's stock market regulator, recently released a report produced in partnership with the French AFG with the view to facilitate the development at the international level of those asset...

On 9 September 2026, the European Commission (the “Commission”) presented its proposal for a new Public Procurement Act, a significant reform of the EU public procurement framework...

On 3 March 2026, Manpower Minister Dr Tan See Leng announced that Singapore will raise its statutory retirement age to 64 and re‑employment age to 69 with effect from 1 July 2026.

On 20 June 2025, in a landmark decision, the High Court ruled that Shell plc and its former Nigerian subsidiary, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria...