Legal Expenses Insurance
Legal expenses insurance is purchased to fund the costs of legal representation. In business, this is obtained “before the event” in case a future legal action has to be defended. Although it is possible to buy stand-alone legal expenses insurance, most policies are added to the Employer’s Liability, Public Liability or Directors’ and Officers’ indemnity […]
Right to choose own solicitor
Insurers have panels of solicitors whom they regularly instruct. While they usually have no objection to using a policyholder’s own solicitor, insurers sometimes prefer to use solicitors from their own selected panel. The law, however, makes it clear that insurers cannot prevent their insured from selecting a solicitor of their own choice to represent them. In […]
Non-Financial Misconduct and the FCA – Are Firms Ready for the 2026 Standards?
With the FCA’s updated Code of Conduct coming into effect soon, firms should be actively preparing for the changes that are coming in September 2026 which clarify that serious bullying, harassment and violence qualify as misconduct under the FCA’s Code of Conduct (COCON). Previously implied conduct will be explicitly recognised under the Code of Conduct […]
Leading the Way in Health and Safety Law – Reflections on Chambers Recognition
Being recognised in the latest Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession rankings for Health & Safety is particularly meaningful when clients and peers leave feedback such as “She is leading the way, and she is a good person to deal with.” This recognition reflects the work of the entire team at Harold & McCormack Law, […]
Resilience Before Crisis – Why Employee Wellbeing Matters in High-Stakes Work
It’s International Stress Awareness Week (3-7 November), and this year’s theme “Optimising Employee Wellbeing through Strategic Stress Management,” hits particularly close to home for those of us in high-pressure legal practices. What our years in the field have taught the team at Harold & McCormack Law: Having represented clients through complex investigations, health and safety […]
Unannounced Inspections Are Coming – How Ready Is Your Organisation?
Are you ready for an unannounced regulatory inspection? Non-compliance can lead to serious consequences, but taking proactive measures can help minimise risks. Here are three steps every business should follow: 1️⃣ Regularly review and update compliance processes to ensure they align with evolving regulations. 2️⃣ Maintain up-to-date documentation to demonstrate accountability. 3️⃣ Seek legal advice […]
Regulatory Investigations Are Rising – Is Your Board Prepared for Personal Liability?
Regulatory investigations have significantly increased in recent years. Yet most boardroom members still treat them as someone else’s problem. The landscape has however fundamentally shifted. New legislation and regulatory reforms, combined with aggressive enforcement from the CPS and regulators, means we’re no longer dealing with the occasional high-profile case making headlines. We’re witnessing systematic targeting […]
Why the First 48 Hours of a Regulatory Crisis Can Define the Outcome
After decades of defence work for clients during their toughest moments, we have learnt that the decisions made in the first 48 hours of a crisis often determine whether a company and its people emerge resilient or fail to recover. We recently witnessed a business make the classic mistake of waiting to ‘see what happens’ […]
Three Compliance Essentials Every Business Needs Before a Health and Safety Inspection
In today’s fast-paced business environment, staying ahead of regulatory requirements is not just necessary; it’s essential for protecting your organisation’s reputation, financial stability, and operational success. Navigating the evolving landscape of compliance can be overwhelming, especially as regulations become increasingly complex and enforcement efforts intensify across various industries. At Harold & McCormack Law, we have […]