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Bill · started in the Lords

Third Parties (Rights against Insurers) Act 2010

To make provision about the rights of third parties against insurers of liabilities to third parties in the case where the insured is insolvent, and in certain other cases.

Now an Act of Parliament

The story so farThe Third Parties (Rights against Insurers) Bill was introduced in the House of Lords on 23 November 2009 by Lord Bach (Labour). It completed its passage through Parliament and became law as the Third Parties (Rights against Insurers) Act 2010, receiving Royal Assent on 25 March 2010.

What the bill does

The purpose of the Third Parties (Rights Against Insurers) Bill is to amend existing legislation governing the relationship between insurers and claimants, with specific regard to &ldquo;third parties&rdquo;, to make it easier and less expensive to claim compensation from insolvent defendants. Current legislation dictates that claimants must establish an insolvent defendant&rsquo;s liability before bringing a separate claim against their insurer. However, the Bill would enable claimants to sue the insolvent defendant&rsquo;s insurer directly, without having to sue the wrongdoer first.<br><br><strong>Key areas</strong><br><br><ul><li>The Bill would remove the need for separate proceedings to establish the insured parties&rsquo; liability before suing the insurer, thereby reducing time and costs.</li></ul><ul><li>Claimants would be provided with the right to obtain insurance policy information quicker to establish the likelihood of success.</li></ul><ul><li>The existing legislation in relation to the involvement of foreign companies would be clarified.</li></ul><ul><li>Existing legal requirements for a dissolved company to be restored to the register of companies would be removed. </li></ul>

Progress through Parliament

  1. 1st reading Lords 23 Nov 2009
  2. 2nd reading Lords 7 Dec to 9 Dec 2009
  3. Committee stage Lords 12 Jan to 9 Feb 2010
  4. Report stage Lords 22 Feb 2010
  5. 3rd reading Lords 1 Mar 2010
  6. 1st reading Commons 1 Mar 2010
  7. Second reading committee Commons 9 Mar 2010
  8. 2nd reading Commons 10 Mar 2010
  9. Committee stage Commons 16 Mar 2010
  10. Report stage Commons 23 Mar 2010
  11. 3rd reading Commons 23 Mar 2010
  12. Royal Assent Unassigned 25 Mar 2010

Source: the official bill page. Last updated 15 Apr 2020.