News and Insights

Claims on Ice - Pausing The Action

Most consultants are already familiar with the idea that claims in negligence and/or contract are subject to the doctrine of limitation periods (or prescription periods in Scottish law).

British Overseas Bank & Henderson v. Stewart Milne Group

Towards the end of 2018, a Scottish court threw a spanner in the works of those seeking to limit their liability in collateral warranties, by ruling that a prescription period (limitation period) in a collateral warranty was not impacted by the presence of ‘no greater liability’ and ‘equivalent rights’ clauses, which would otherwise have had the effect of ‘time barring’ the claim.

Common Data Environments – Paradise Lost?

We have recently fielded a number of questions from clients relating to the increasing use of Common Data Environments (or CDEs) on construction projects.

Griffiths & Armour’s global capabilities

Assurex Global is an exclusive partnership of 108 of the world’s premier independent insurance agents and brokers, which marries local market expertise with global economies of scale.

What is Professional Indemnity Insurance?

Professional Indemnity insurance - also known as PI insurance – is intended to protect professionals and their businesses

Cyber Risks

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Organisations are increasingly dependent on information and communication technology (ICT) for their day-to-day activities. Whilst this delivers significant benefits, it may also introduce new risks, which if not managed correctly can significantly impact upon operations, financial performance, legal compliance and reputation. Research suggests that the cost of cyber crime in the UK is £34.1 billion per year.

The Latest Claimant Tactics

Traditionally claimants always used to plead complete claims in front of judges, so that if the judge felt minded to find for the claimant then the court would go on to award compensation at the same time. The unsuccessful defendant consultant and its insurers would be bound to pay any damages (possibly with costs in addition) within a relatively short timescale.

Professional Indemnity Insurance: The supermarket revisited

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It has been more than 10-years since Griffiths & Armour published ‘Professional Indemnity insurance: the not so super market’, a paper written as the financial crash of 2008 took hold and the talk in the insurance industry was of insurer withdrawal, a hardening market, increased cost, restricted class wordings and generally challenging times.

Stand-alone certificates and actions in negligent misstatement

Engineers are commonly asked to sign certificates containing broadly worded statements on conformity of the works with drawings, compliance with relevant regulations or general quality of build. These certificates are usually provided for the benefit of third parties, i.e. for someone other than the engineer’s client.

Contractual Interpretation And Lead Consultants' Liability For Others

The recent Scottish decision in Midlothian Council v Bracewell Stirling [2018] CSIH 21 has confirmed what any lead consultant would have hoped in relation to his responsibility for others on the construction team.

NSPCC Peak District Challenge

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Griffiths & Armour trek for 12 hours over 54km to raise nearly £4000 for NSPCC in Peak District walk.

Our London team is moving…

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Griffiths & Armour are delighted to announce the relocation of our London teams to a new office in the City to cater for the company’s growth and continued focus on client service excellence.
Data Breach

Data Breach Fines for BA and Marriott

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Businesses have been given a stark reminder about how seriously they need to take any data breach which exposes sensitive customer data following two record breaking fines totally nearly £300m for British Airways and Marriott.

New Risk Management Platform Launched

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Griffiths & Armour are delighted to announce the launch of RMworks, our brand new innovative online risk management portal.

Personal Injury Discount Rate change

The Lord Chancellor recently announced the conclusion of the Personal Injury Discount Rate (PIDR) review under the Civil Liability Act 2018. From 5 August 2019, the discount rate will increase from -0.75% to -0.25%.