Services

Litigaton

Pre-Action Protocols

RCB seek to resolve their clients’ disputes before court proceedings become necessary, within the relevant pre-action protocol.

 

Much emphasis is placed on the cards-on-the-table approach to solving disputes with Mediation and “without prejudice” negotiations greatly encouraged. The protocols offer a fantastic opportunity to resolve clients’ problems before having to defend or prosecute formal court proceedings.

Mediation

At RCB, we have been employing and advising on mediation since its introduction to the UK 20 years ago, working with leading mediation providers such as CEDR and IPOS and single, dedicated mediators. Member Partner Steven Reynolds was one of the first accredited mediators in the UK and all member partners have conducted many mediations for clients. In addition, we also advise clients on other resolution methods of Expert Determination, Early Neutral Evaluation and the use of Dispute Review Boards.

Arbitration

Arbitration clauses usually provide the mechanism for a final and binding resolution of all disputes arising between the parties to a contract. Managing Member Partner John Bradley has particular experience in representing clients at arbitration. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Our advice covers both pre-contract drafting, and post-contract dispute resolution. We can provide strategic and tactical advice at every stage in proceedings, as well as carrying out enforcement arising from an arbitrator’s award.

Court Work

We represent our clients in the Commercial, High, Mercantile and County Courts, from low value claims to claims worth in excess of £70 million, and from single claimant/single defendant matters to multi-party group litigation involving 700 parties.

Coverage

We advise Insurers on the complex questions of coverage and wording

 In doing so we recognise that continuity is important in business relationships.

Risk Management Advice

RCB separately offers risk management advice to clients.

Ever changing markets mean that there are new claims patterns continuously emerging. We advise Insurers on trends and triangulations to assist in assessment of profitability of and forecast areas of potential claims and quote accordingly. We also on a bespoke basis work with insured clients to assist with putting effective procedures and checks in place to address claims trends arising.

 

We have been assisting insurers on risk selection since we were founded in 2003. We were the first TPA to advise upon, and to help measure, credit and attritional risk exposure, pre-policy inception. We have assisted in assessing financial risk on solicitor undertakings and lobbied the SRA on rule changes. Since 2015, our Senior Partner has sat on the Law Society Professional Indemnity Committee. We are therefore well placed to offer any independent advice and assistance to Insurers as required.

TPA

The firm provides TPA assistance to a number of insurer schemes.

Historically our solicitors have all gained experience claims handling and we consider them to be solicitor adjusters which informs our ability to provide commercial advice for the early cost-effective settlement of claims.

Secondees

RCB offers solicitor secondees to Insurer clients.

Our solicitors are all experienced adjusters and litigators who offer in house claims support to Insurer clients.