The Federal Labour Court has ruled on the fundamental issue of who will be entitled to the rights under a life insurance policy concluded by the employer in the employee’s favour in the event that an employment relationship comes to an end in the course of the employer’s insolvency proceeding.

In Clare Horwood & Others v Land of Leather Limited (In Administration) and Zurich Insurance Plc the Commercial Court was asked to consider in the context of a claim under the Third Parties (Rights Against Insurers) Act 1930 whether a compromise agreement entered into by an insured without the insurer's specific instructions in writing was in breach of a policy term. Under the compromise agreement, the insured had released a third party from an obligation to indemnify it in respect of various personal injury claims.

Under Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006, it is open to a solvent company to enter into an arrangement or compromise with its creditors or members. Over the past 10-15 years such solvent schemes have been implemented in M&A and restructuring transactions and have proved increasingly popular in the insurance market, permitting insurers to crystallise their contingent liabilities.

The transition from 2009 to 2010 sees some significant legislative chapters closing, notably the Companies Act 2006, Rome I and II, the Banking Act 2009 and the Lisbon Treaty.

In Ristorante Limited T/A Bar Massimo v Zurich Insurance Plc [2021] EWHC 2538 (Ch), the Court considered the interpretation and legal effect of a question asked by an insurer to a prospective insured around prior insolvency issues. The insured agreed with the insurer’s question, as framed, that there were no prior insolvency issues. Insurers failed in their attempt to avoid the policy for breach of the duty of fair presentation based on alleged misrepresentation. Insolvency events in relation to other companies did not need to be disclosed.

timeline - a guide to the legal milestones ahead CALENDA R OF KEY ISSUES (UK PERSPECTIVE) MAY 2014 LEGAL GUIDE ABOUT HERBERT SMITH FREEHILLS We are one of the world’s leading law firms. We advise many of the biggest and most ambitious organisations across all major regions of the globe. Our clients trust us with their most important transactions, disputes and projects because of our ability to cut through complexity and mitigate risk. We can help you thrive in the global economy.

Insurance Regulatory Briefing

HM Treasury Consults on Amendments to Insurer Insolvency Regime

2 AUGUST 2021

London

Table of contents

Recent proposals to amend insolvency rules applying to insurers aim to enhance and clarify existing powers for a court-ordered write-down of an insurer's policy and other contractual liabilities under Section 377 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 ("FSMA"). Other proposed measures include:

1. The Case for Change 2. The Proposed Changes 3. Contacts

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A SUMMARY OF MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS IN KEY AREAS GENERAL COUNSEL UPDATE 27 February 2014 LEGAL GUIDE EDITION 37

INSURANCE AND REINSURANCE DISPUTES

2020 REVIEW

The contents of this publication are for reference purposes only. They do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Specific legal advice about your specific circumstances should always be sought separately before taking any action based on this publication.

INSURANCE AND REINSURANCE DISPUTES 2020 REVIEW

Contents

Preface

EU (Withdrawal) Bill may be passed by UK Parliament. Its purpose is to repeal the European Communities Act 1972 and, so far as possible, import EU law that would otherwise fall away into UK law

The Construction (Retention Deposit Schemes) Bill is expected to have its second reading debate