Motor Insurers’ Bureau unveils six-strong legal panel

New contracts have been awarded to firms in various categories following a competitive tendering process.

Some firms have previously acted for MIB and others are new to the panel. A spokesman for the organisation declined to comment on which firms had not been kept on from the previous panel.

Weightmans has been retained and will deal with core claims alongside Berrymans Lace Mawer and fraud in tandem with DAC Beachcroft.

Horwich Farrelly and Jaggards are instructed in the cost negotiation category; Murphy O’Rawe will cover Northern Ireland; and Simpson Marwick will look after Scotland.

The MIB compensates victims of uninsured and untraced drivers. It carried out a strategic review of its legal suppliers in 2011.

It said it has selected a panel  to deliver “excellent technical service, industry leading service levels, improved management information, value for money and a robust supplier management governance framework”.

MIB chief executive Ashton West said: “Being a significant consumer of legal services across the breadth of personal injury litigation arising out of road traffic accidents, we’re particularly keen to not only enhance current supplier relationships, but also to develop new relationships where appropriate.

“This will help drive improvements in service, efficiency and quality and enable us to meet the new challenges arising within the personal injury claims arena.

“The solicitors review has played an important part in delivering maximum value to the business and supports our desire to continually strive for excellence.”