Prudential Moves on With-Profits Prudential has hired ex-Freshfields partner Peter Bloxham as Policyholder Advocate (PHA), plan to release up to £9b orphan estate in its with-profit fund Guardian Prudential has bought Equitable's with-profits bulk annuity fund 15.03.07 Times, Equitable Life, In-House Lawyers

Easier Rules on Reinsurance Vehicles FSA and HMRC to relax rules on insurance special purpose vehicles (ISPVs) for life assurers, allow formation onshore in UK, used to reinsure high volatility risks such as hurricane damage 21.06.06 Reuters, Capital Markets, Financial Services, Insurance, UK Tax

Inheritance Tax ABI says millions will be affected by change in IHT, lawyers no longer writing wills, assurers freeze sales of new life policies, Treasury says only 20k affected, those with accumulation and maintenance (A&M) and income in possession (IIP) trusts 06.04.06 Telegraph, Inheritance Tax, UK Tax, UK Tax Avoidance Schemes, Wills and Probate

Insurance Commissions Head of Marsh in UK Bruce Carnegie-Brown says regime of voluntary disclosure of commissions is inadequate, 'controversial' payments are widespread 29.03.06 Telegraph, Financial Services, Insurance

Medical Records Law Commission is to investigate claims that assurers are refusing cover where they are not given complete answers on medical issues 24.02.06 Insurance Business Review, Data Protection, Privacy

Standard Life Directors said to be considering stock market float to raise money to meet new capital adequacy rules 04.01.06 Observer, Capital Markets, Financial Services

Orphan Estate Aviva to be first life office to carve up orphan estate under new FSA rules, £3.3b 'windfall' of unclaimed assets to be divided up among shareholders and policy-holders 28.10.05 Telegraph, Capital Markets Links, Financial Services Links

Life Insurance Tax ABI is to write to HMRC in 'strongest terms' protesting at change in tax rules for life assurers, intended to stop avoidance through artificial losses or reducing profit, association complains of complexity and lack of response from Revenue 04.10.05 Telegraph, Financial Services Links

Equitable Equitable and auditor Ernst & Young are on brink of a deal, due to go back to court today in £700m suit over liability for guaranteed annuities 19.09.05 Telegraph, Corporate Governance Links, Equitable Links

Equitable Life assurer reduced claim for damages from £758m to £674m prior to dropping £1.3b claim for 'lost sales' 22.07.05 Telegraph, Equitable Links