ATE (After-The-Event) insurance is a type of legal expense insurance taken out after a dispute has arisen, typically in the context of litigation. It covers the insured’s potential liability for their opponent’s legal costs if the insured’s case is unsuccessful, ensuring that the insured is not burdened with these costs.
ATE insurance means you can offer clients the assurance of no upfront legal fees, making your services more attractive and accessible. It minimises the financial risks associated with litigation, enabling you to handle more cases simultaneously.
ATE insurance can protect your client from adverse cost orders if their case is unsuccessful. It offers peace of mind, ensuring your client won’t be financially ruined by a lost case. By offering ATE insurance, you demonstrate your commitment to safeguarding your clients’ interests.
ATE insurance can be used for a wide range of legal cases, including commercial litigation, employment disputes, personal injury claims, and more.
The minimum and maximum levels of cover vary depending on the insurer and the specifics of the case. It’s essential to work with us to determine the appropriate level of coverage for each case. You typically apply for ATE insurance once a case has been accepted, and litigation is underway. This allows the insurer to assess the case’s merits and potential risks accurately.
ATE insurance is a valuable tool for legal practitioners and their clients, offering financial protection and growth opportunities.
Working with Temple Ireland simplifies the process, and it can be applied in a variety of legal cases to mitigate risk and ensure that your clients can pursue justice without fear of financial hardship or as a risk management tool (see In-House Counsel and CFO section of this website for further details).
Claims are often made against large organisations that have far greater access to funds to enable them to defend their case aggressively. They will often use robust or aggressive tactics to try and persuade you to settle sooner or for a sum lower than your claim’s true value. Examples of this include your opponent making a Caulderbank offer to settle the case before trial or your opponent makes interim applications. Litigation insurance helps in both of these situations.
Our specialist team of underwriters are ready to review your case or discuss a delegated authority scheme for your firm today.
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