Eagle Star sheds its in-house

Eagle Star Insurance is closing its in-house legal department following its merger with Zurich Insurance.

One of its lawyers has already relocated to Zurich's UK legal department based in Fareham, Hampshire, while another three have decided to move on to other things.

Paul Hitchings, group legal adviser, says the "discontinuation of some litigation activity" is involved in the "relocation".

Those in-house lawyers who are attached to specific areas, known as "satellite lawyers", will not be affected by the move.

No final date has been given for the completion and Hitchings admits progress on the closure has been slow.