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Nabarro LLP is reappointed to represent the Department of Energy and Climate Change with innovative new structure
30 December 2010
Nabarro LLP has been reappointed to provide the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) with legal services associated with their liabilities arising from the operation of the former nationalised coal industry and for the first time to provide integrated claims handling support. The innovative new structure, which will help achieve cost savings for DECC, sees Nabarro as the prime contractor and main point of contact, sub-contracting claims handling to Deloitte and all Scottish legal issues to McClure Naismith.
This pioneering arrangement, which Nabarro put together, will see it as the single point of contact for DECC, representing them for at least the next 5 years. Nabarro beat off tough competition from five other firms to win the contract.
The contract is to provide legal and claims handling support for managing the DECC’s liabilities, resulting from the former British Coal Corporation and its subsidiaries. This will include leading DECC's defence in major litigations, notably the Miners Knee Group Litigation, and providing a range of strategic legal advice as well as claims handling services.
This structure was designed solely to work for DECC and is designed to deliver excellence and value for money, helping it administer its liabilities in a cost effective way.
The Nabarro team will be led by dispute resolution partner Carl Dray, a recognised leader in the field of group litigation with nearly 20 years experience.
Carl Dray, dispute resolution partner, Nabarro comments: “We are delighted to be working with DECC again, and pleased we can provide a cost efficient new structure to handle their liabilities. These new arrangements will for the first time bring the delivery of claims handling services under our control. I am looking forward to working with our new partners in the venture, Deloitte and McClure Naismith. Our approach combines the ability to advise on the strategy and tactics of major litigation and claims handling with a robust, secure, scalable and value for money solution for dealing with these highly complex liabilities.”
Having processed over 650,000 claims on behalf of clients, Deloitte is a market leader in the delivery of complex claims handling services. Mike Bell, lead partner of Deloitte's claims handling function, commented that Deloitte is delighted to be working alongside Nabarro on this important piece of work. He noted that together the three organisations bring great skills and experience, and look forward to supporting the Department over the coming months.
McClure Naismith has extensive litigation experience in acting almost exclusively for defender interests in casualty and disease litigation in Scotland. Jeffrey Hutcheson, partner, commented that his firm was very pleased to be given the opportunity of working in tandem with Nabarro and Deloitte on such a prestigious contract.
Simon Johnston, senior partner at Nabarro, commented: “It is a huge credit to the team, which has worked with DECC for 13 years, that we have been reappointed to advise DECC. This solution provides a unique blend of experience, rooted in Nabarro's deep understanding of DECC’s requirements around coal liabilities, with proven claims handling capabilities in a government setting.”
If you would like any further information or have any queries please contact:
Alex Bellinger
PR Manager, Nabarro
a.bellinger@nabarro.com or 020 7524 6391
Carl Dray
Nabarro
c.dray@nabarro.com or 0114 279 4049
