A dispute arose between “C” and its insurer “D,” both U.S. corporations. The insurance policy was governed by New York state law, but provided for disputed to be settled in England under the provisions of the English Arbitration Act. The parties agreed to arbitrate in England, and the panel issued a partial award in favor of “C.” “D” threatened to apply to a U.S. court to set aside the award on the basis that it was based on a “manifest disregard of the law.” “C” obtained an interim anti-suit injunction restraining “D” from commencing proceedings in a U.S. court. At the final hearing, Justice Cooke held that because the parties chose England as the seat of arbitration, they must submit any challenge to the eventual award to an English court under English law, regardless of the governing law of the contract. C and D, [2007] EWHC 1541, [Comm], Eng. Comm., QBD (June 28, 2007).
MASSACHUSETTS HIGH COURT HOLDS THAT CLAIMS UNDER FOLLOWING FORM EXCESS POLICIES ARE NOT COVERED BY FOLLOW-THE-FORTUNES
Massachusett's Supreme Judicial Court recently held, in a case of first impression, that a following form excess insurer is not bound by claims payment decisions made by a primary insurer, in an analysis that is akin to the reinsurance follow-the-fortunes doctrine. The Court held that although such an excess policy borrows language from the underlying primary policy, it is a separate insurance policy, and that the excess insurer retains the right to make its own claims decisions absent a provision in its policy to the contrary. This is similar to opinions holding that courts will not imply the follow-the-fortunes doctrine into a reinsurance agreement if it is not explicitly a part of the reinsurance agreement's written terms. Allmerica Financial Corp. v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's, London, No. SJC-09834 (Aug. 6, 2007).
FEDERAL COURT GRANTS SOCIETY OF LLOYD’S SUMMARY JUDGMENT PURSUANT TO FLORIDA RECOGNITION ACT
This case involves an attempt to reduce to a UK judgment in favor of Lloyd’s to a US judgment. We reported on the court’s decision on a motion for judgment on the pleadings on April 25, 2007. The case came before the Court on cross motions for summary judgment. The court granted Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment as to Count I, seeking recognition of an English judgment, pursuant to Florida’s Uniform Out-of-Country Foreign Money Judgment Recognition Act. The court also granted Defendant’s motion for summary judgment as to Count II, which relied on the Ohio Recognition Act.. Lloyd’s v. Sumerel, Case No. 06-329 (USDC M.D. Fla. July 20, 2007).
ENGLISH COURT OF APPEALS RESOLVES DISPUTE ARISING FROM SALE OF SHARES IN LLOYD’S BROKER
Claimant, Square Mile Partnership (“Square Mile”), entered into an agreement with Robert Bruce Fitzmaurice Group (“RBF Group”) for the purchase of the shares of Robert Bruce Fitzmaurice (“RBF”), RBF Group’s direct subsidiary, a Lloyd’s broker. The agreement provided for the transfer of RBF’s “accumulated net worth” to Square Mile. The day before completion of the agreement, the transfer took place in favor of Fitzmaurice McCall (“Fitzmaurice”), RBF’s ultimate holding company. The amount of the payment was calculated on the basis of RBF’s distributable dividends.
After completion of the agreement, a dispute arose between Square Mile and Fitzmaurice concerning the exact meaning of the expression “accumulated net worth.” According to Square Mile, it referred only to RBF’s distributable profits, while according to Fitzmaurice it meant the whole of RBF’s net assets.
The court concluded that the expression “accumulated net worth” was intended to cover all the nets assets of RBF. As to Square Mile’s argument that the amount actually transferred from RBF Group to Fitzmaurice a day before completion of the agreement, the court explained that to the extent to which this argument relied on evidence of precontractual negotiations it could not be admitted. While English law does offer some exceptions to the general rule that precontractual negotiations are inadmissible as evidence for the interpretation of a written agreement, the Court concluded that the exceptions were not warranted in this case. The Square Mile Partnership Ltd v. Fitzmaurice McCall Ltd, [2006] EWCA Civ. 1689 (Dec. 18, 2006).
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Many state legislatures have ended their session, and following is an update on a number of reinsurance-related bills previously reported in this blog:
- captives: There has been a good deal of activity on the captive front, and there have been a number of articles in the trade press about domestic jurisdictions attempting to become more competitive with each other and with off-shore locations. Hawaii has enacted general changes in HB 272 (effective July 1, 2007), allowing captives to be licensed as limited liability companies and changing tax, capital and surplus rules. Delaware has amended its statutes (HB 214, signed July 18, 2007) to allow special purpose financial captives, with new minimum capital requirements for such entities. Missouri has enacted legislation (SB 215, effective August 28, 2007) which provides for the formation of captive insurance companies.
- alternative financing: Maine has allowed the edtablishment of special purpose reinsurance vehicles to facilitate the securitization of insurance risks. LD 1390, effective June 21, 2007.
- reinsurance placement: New Hampshire has adopted rules (HB 782, effective January 1, 2008) clarifying its law with respect to reinsurance intermediaries, brokers and managers. Texas has proposed modifying its provisions relating to the placement of reinsurance with an unauthorized reinsurer. SB 1136, pending – see page 247 of 409.
- credit for reinsurance: Connecticut has amended its regulations relating to credit for reinsurance with respect to the assets of a single beneficiary trust, effective May 30, 2007.
- health reinsurance: Oregon has enacted provisions, effective June 25, 20007 (SB 183) making emergency provisions for a reinsurance program for medical progessional liability insurance policies provided by the state's Accident Insurance Fund.
- voluntary restructuring: Rhode Island continues to legislate in the area of voluntary restrcturing of solvent insurers, expanding the definition of commercial run-off insurer effective July 6, 2007 to include a Rhode Island domestic insurer formed or re-activated for the purpose of entering into a voluntary restructuring.