Brown-Quinn & Anor v Equity Syndicate Managment LTD & Anor - insurance companies, non-panel solicitors, and reasonable fees

Where a claim is being funded by insurance, the claimant is not obliged to instruct a member of the insurance company's panel of solicitors. Nor can a non-panel firm be obliged to charge only the rates set by the insurance company. A reasonable rate must be agreed (or assessed) which takes account of various factors - these include the insurance company's standard rate (although this is to be used as a comparator, not a starting point) but also other matters such as the complexity of the case and the specialisation of the chosen solicitors.