From The International Desk

UK – Duty of care owed by partner in reporting circumstances to insurer

A partner in a UK law firm, entrusted with the responsibility of dealing with all aspects of the firm's professional indemnity insurance, was found to have failed to fulfil his obligations to notify a matter to the firm's professional indemnity insurer. The insurer had refused indemnity. Bernard Livesey QC, sitting as a Judge of the UK High Court (Chancery Division), determined that liability for the matter was to be borne personally by Mr Herrington. The reason for this being Mr Herrington was responsible for notifying the insurers that a claim had been made and his delay in doing so caused the refusal of indemnity.