Howard Dean (pictured), a partner at Keoghs, has been named the 2025 president of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers (FOIL), succeeding Pete Allchorne of DAC Beachcroft. A news release noted Dean brings over 25 years of expertise in civil justice reform, focusing on civil procedure rules, litigation funding, and the digitisation of claims.
Dean’s election comes as the insurance sector navigates significant challenges, including legal and economic shifts under the new Labour government. Broader global issues such as inflationary pressures, environmental concerns, and geopolitical crises in Ukraine and the Middle East are also expected to influence the volume and complexity of insurance claims.
As president, Dean plans to prioritise critical civil justice reforms. These include reviewing the Personal Injury Discount Rate, evaluating proposed changes to the Pre-Action Protocol, and assessing the post-implementation impact of the Civil Liability Act and the updated Whiplash Tariff. FOIL will also focus on potential changes to court procedures, including Fixed Recoverable Costs and the Civil Courts Claims Track, alongside ongoing efforts to digitise court services. In Scotland, attention will centre on the introduction of Qualified One-Way Cost Shifting for personal injury cases and other procedural reforms, the news release noted.
Dean also aims to tackle pressing sector-specific issues such as litigation concerning fixed recoverable costs, regulations surrounding e-scooters, and proposals for stricter rules on young drivers. His leadership will also address broader concerns, including claims inflation, the implications of emerging markets, and ongoing regulatory changes.
The organisation’s efforts extend beyond legal reform, addressing issues such as diversity and inclusion, climate change, and the integration of artificial intelligence. Dean has emphasised the importance of nurturing future talent through FOIL’s “Tomorrow’s FOIL” initiative.
Bridget Tatham, a partner at Browne Jacobson, will serve as vice president of FOIL, working closely with Dean to advance the organisation’s initiatives.
“I am honored to be appointed as president of FOIL and look forward to serving the organisation as it navigates the issues facing the insurance industry at present. Insurers and their lawyers are currently having to grapple with many headwinds, including claims inflation, emerging markets and regulatory change,” said Dean. “FOIL will continue to provide a leading voice on the pressing issues impacting our members and their clients.”
“Howard is an accomplished insurance lawyer who has been a member of the FOIL executive committee for several years already. He is an excellent choice to lead FOIL into 2025,” said CEO Laurence Besemer. “With many changes afoot, FOIL continues to represent the defendant insurance legal community and the reality of the challenges insurers and their lawyers face.”
FOIL is a member organisation representing 8,000 lawyers and paralegals from 61 corporate members across England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, and Gibraltar. It advocates for transparency, proportionality, and fairness, engaging in campaigns for legal and procedural reforms that aim to benefit insurers, self-insured organisations, and the wider public.
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