Fast cars and loose women

One recent change, however, is perhaps something not all women were banking on. That is this month’s European Court of Justice’s (ECJ) ruling that gender-based insurance pricing is unlawful. In other words women will no longer qualify for cheaper car insurance than their male counterparts.

The ruling, which was formally handed down on 1 March, means that premium pricing based upon other areas of discrimination, such as age or disability, will also be incompatible with European law.

The ECJ agreed with an earlier opinion by the advocate general that stated that the EU gender directive is superseded by the higher-ranking gender provisions set out in the Charter of Fundamental Rights in the Lisbon Treaty (read more).

The Forum of Insurance Lawyers’ (Foil) chief executive Laurence Besemer slammed the decision, saying: “How long before Ferrari owners demand to be charged the same as a moped rider?

Talking of fast cars Manches and Nabarro’s German alliance partner SK Stockmann + Kollegen, have snared the leading roles on Williams F1’s groundbreaking IPO.

Williams Grand Prix Holdings completed its IPO on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange on 2 March, becoming the first Formula One team to sell shares to the public. Existing shareholders sold around 24 per cent of Williams at €25 per share, valuing the company at €250m (read more).

husnara.begum@lawyer2b.com