Insurance law firm to double fraud team

Insurance law firm Horwich Farrelly wants to double the size of its fraud team to deal with an anticipated rise in insurance-related fraud.

The firm, which currently employs 350 people, said it is looking to recruit new staff at various levels within its fraud team to service current and anticipated demand.

The department has seen a huge jump in levels of instructions on all types of counter-fraud work from an average of 85 per month in 2009 to 220 per month in 2010-11, the company said.

It is expecting further growth during 2011-12 particularly in specialist areas such as fraud rings.

The team currently consists of over 40 lawyers and it is anticipated that this could increase by more than 25 during the next 12 months.

Partner and head of the department, Mark Hudson said: “As a practice we have developed a fierce reputation for fighting all types of fraudulent claims and wherever possible securing both a recovery and a prosecution, which complemented by our impressive success rate has led to an increased level of instructions.

“As a result we need to grow our team albeit we aim to do that in a sustainable and sensible manner. Our overriding emphasis is to recruit quality people that match and enhance the expertise we already have in place so as to continue to provide an outstanding service to our existing blue chip clients.

“Unfortunately I don’t think fraudulent claims will ever disappear and with the current economic climate, we are seeing a marked increase in dubious claims.”