SPRING/SUMMER2024NEWSLETTER|EDITION2 NEWSLETTER
Welcome to the Spring/Summer edition of the Corrigan & Corrigan newsletter.
In it we provide you with some key updates on our firm, the work we do with you, and some valuable information on important legal matters. We hope you enjoy it, and we encourage you to send all your feedback to cora.fitzsimons@corrigan.ie
Thank you for reading!
Cora Fitzsimons, Managing Partner
Corrigan & Corrigan becomes LLP
In March this year, Corrigan & Corrigan announced its authorisation by the Legal Services Regulatory Authority as a limited liability partnership (LLP) under the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015.
The firm is now known as Corrigan & Corrigan Solicitors LLP.
The authorisation to move to LLP status means that the Partners of Corrigan & Corrigan Solicitors will have limited personal liability. As set out in Section 123 of the Act (subject to the restrictions listed therein) no Partner will have personal liability for any debts, liabilities or obligations which are incurred for the purpose of carrying on the business of the LLP (whether these are liabilities of the LLP, of himself or herself, of another Partner or Partners in the LLP or of any employee, agent or representative of the LLP) and however such liability may arise.
This relates only to the personal liability of Partners and does not prevent or restrict the enforcement against the property of the LLP of any debt, liability, or obligation.
From 19 March 2024, the Partnership Act 1890 applies to the LLP to the extent that it is not inconsistent with Chapter 3 of Part 8 of the Act.
This change does not have any impact on our services or client relationships.
Supporting Education
Corrigan & Corrigan have been supporting students at the Insurance Institute for over 20 years through the Corrigan & Corrigan Prize. The Prize is awarded annually to the person who receives the highest marks in the Liability Insurance module of the Insurance Institute’s Higher Diploma in Insurance Management (MDI).
Earlier this year, we hosted a lunch for all the alumni of the award, marking the 15th anniversary of the prize*.
The Corrigan & Corrigan Prize underlines the importance of education in the insurance industry, and we know that the prize often marks a significant milestone in a person’s career. Winners join an alumni of prizewinners who are setting the standards of excellence and playing a pivotal role in shaping the success of the insurance industry.
We were delighted that this year’s winner of the Corrigan & Corrigan Insurance Institute Prize was awarded to Tiberiu Coroliuc of The Underwriting Exchange (TUE) and SRG.
*We have no details of prizewinners before 2009, so if you were one, please get in touch !
Committing to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Corrigan & Corrigan have signed the Law Society’s Equality, Diversion and Inclusion Charter, a set of commitments that aim to create a culture of inclusion, mutual respect and equal opportunities.
The Charter, signed by over 150 organisations, pledges to treat all individuals and groups of individuals fairly and equally and no less favourably, specific to their needs, in areas of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, race, class, disability or membership of the Traveller Community. Corrigan & Corrigan will:
• recognise the individual needs of those we employ and support them to develop to their full potential,
• ensure equal access to opportunities for those we employ,
• ensure our policies, procedures and processes promote gender equality, diversity and inclusion,
• carry out our work without bias, in a respectful and non-discriminatory manner,
• build awareness and understanding of the benefits of promoting gender equality, diversity and inclusion, and
• assign responsibility for meeting the Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Charter commitments to a named senior partner or member of staff.
Personal Injury Guidelines upheld
April saw a very positive and “landmark” decision from the Supreme Court on the Personal Injury Guidelines. Although it ruled that Section 7.2 (g) of the Judicial Council Act 2019, which gave power to the Judicial Council to make new guidelines, was unconstitutional, the Court held that they were given the force of law by the subsequent enactment of the Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2021. The Guidelines have therefore been established as constitutional, of legal effect and legally binding.
Another solicitor for the team
We are delighted to announce that our colleague Dylan O’Higgins has joined the roll of solicitors. His accomplishment reflects his dedication and hard work.
Dylan joined the firm in 2021 as a trainee solicitor. Since then he has dealt with a portfolio of claims including property damage and motor claims, public liability and personal injury claims.
Dylan has a BA in Law and Politics from Dublin City University, and a Masters in Law (LLM) degree from University College Dublin.
This brings our team of solicitors in the firm up to 11.
Disclosure & Discovery event
This April we hosted a large symposium on Disclosure and Discovery for claims handlers. Corrigan & Corrigan partners Brian Malone and Michael Corrigan focused on the very real, seismic disclosure implications of Section 16A of the Consumer Insurance Contracts Act 2019 and the operational impact it has for the handling of disputes between insurers and consumer policyholders in property, casualty and motor claims. We then heard from Andrew Fitzpatrick SC on how the High Court Non-Jury List and Commercial Court are dealing with the disclosure of expert reports and witnesses’ evidence. The afternoon concluded with an outline of developments in the law on discovery in a wider context and the impact that several recent court judgements have had on insurance claims handling generally.
Our next event will be a roundtable on Professional Indemnity on Tuesday 1 October 2024, led by Corrigan & Corrigan partner Sinéad Ryan.
If you would like to know more, please email us at treasa.cox@corrigan.ie
You can stay in touch with us a number of ways:
t: (01) 677 6108
e: info@corrigan.ie
w: www.corrigan.ie
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