The Lloyd’s Market Association (LMA), the body representing the interests of managing agents and Lloyd’s brokers, has announced the establishment of the Emerging Litigation Forum (ELF).
The new forum, initiated by the LMA, replaces the Environment and Climate Change Litigation Committee (ECLIC) and has a wider mandate.
ELF broadens the horizons of its predecessor by monitoring a wider variety of developing legal challenges that could impact the insurance market. While environmental and climate-related cases will continue to receive significant attention, the Forum will also assess other growing categories of litigation that are important to the Lloyd’s community.
The evolution from ECLIC to ELF reflects both the steady advance of climate-related court litigation and increased member interest in broader legal risks. As with other LMA forums, dedicated working groups can be formed when it is clear that more in-depth attention is needed on a particular area.
The forum’s first meeting was held on October 28, and members heard from legal experts on two prominent themes. A report explores the rapid increase in PFAS actions in the United States and compares it to historical patterns of asbestosis claims. Another article provides an overview of the PFAS issue outside the US and reviews UK water pollution cases leading up to the recent Wye ruling.
John Levett, head of regulatory affairs at the LMA, added: “The establishment of the Emerging Litigation Forum reflects the market’s growing need to address wider litigation risks. The forum will enable LMA members to share insights and expertise, helping the market to stay informed and prepared for developments in an increasingly complex litigation environment.”
