Paul McGarry SC, Chairman, Council of The Bar of Ireland and Sara Moorhead SC presented to the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform and Taoiseach yesterday afternoon, 13th September 2016, on the rising costs of motor insurance.
Chaired by John McGuinness TD, contributions were invited from The Bar of Ireland and The Law Society on the factors surrounding recent increases in motor insurance premiums. Lengthy discussion ensued with representatives of The Bar of Ireland seeking to counteract the widely broadcasted misinformation that rising insurance costs are attributable to a higher number of claims, excessive and inconsistent award levels and legal costs.
Representatives of The Bar of Ireland also proposed a number of solutions, such as the need for better transparency and sharing of data; a revised book of quantum and the prompt establishment of the new Legal Costs Adjudication system, provided for by the Legal Services Regulation Act, which will provide greater transparency and visibility for clients of the costs of litigation in advance of proceedings and a facility for parties to challenge costs.