LORD BISHOP OF LEEDS (THE RIGHT REVEREND NICHOLAS BAINES) AND ANOTHER V DIXON COLES & GILL (A FIRM) AND OTHERS; THE GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND ASSOCIATION AND OTHERS V BOX AND OTHERS; SOLICITORS REGULATORY AUTHORITY (INTERVENER)

[2021] EWCA Civ 1211, Court of Appeal, Lord Justice Moylan, Lord Justice Phillips and Lord Justice Nugee, 6 August 2021

Insurance (professional indemnity) – Aggregation – Whether claims arising from one series of related acts or omissions could be aggregated – Whether two sets of claims arose from one series of related acts

Solicitors DCG had three equity partners. One of the partners was fired from the partnership and prosecuted on discovery that she had over a long period expropriated over £4 million from the client account. Claims were made against the firm and the innocent partners: by the Lord Bishop of Leeds and the Leeds Diocesan Board of Finance (LDBF); and by four charities which were residuary beneficiaries under the July 2005 will of Ernest Scholefield. The insurance was for £2 million any one claim or for “one series of related acts or omissions”. The question was whether the claims of the two groups could be aggregated.