A number of insurance companies have recently entered into reinsurance agreements with National Indemnity Company (“NICO”), a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. When this occurs – and the arrangements do not require the consent of policyholders – the policyholders unexpectedly find themselves involved with NICO and/or its “affiliated claims adjuster,” Resolute Management, Inc. (“Resolute”). But, what happens when a policyholder disagrees with NICO’s and/or Resolute’s approach to adjusting, defending, or resolving claims?
Continue Reading A free pass for NICO and Resolute?

The travesty that is the Solvent Scheme of Arrangement has been dealt another blow; one hopes a fatal one. A month after issuing a blistering attack on the practice, Lord Glennie entered final judgment this week refusing to sanction the Scottish Lion scheme. It is worth taking a long look at Lord Glennie’s lengthy opinion.

The issue, succinctly stated by the court, was: “Can it ever be fair to sanction a ‘solvent’ scheme of arrangement in the face of continuing creditor opposition to having their occurrence cover compulsorily terminated?” The court’s answer was, Probably Not.Continue Reading UK’s Solvent Schemes Dealt Another Blow: Hopefully, the Coup de Grâce