Testing timesfor the D&O safety net. Europe’s sovereign debt crisis will mean more insolvencies. The market for directors' and officers’ (D&O) liability insurance is now 80 years old, having initially been developed by Lloyd’s of London in the early 1930s during the worldwide Great Depression. At that time, companies were not permitted to provide indemnification

Chartis Market Research & Analytics - Tables and statistics are compiled from the Stanford Securities Class Actions Clearinghouse index of filings for the relevant time periods, in conjunction with domicile, incorporation and industry data sourced from Bloomberg, to identify geographic location and industry group.

Chartis Global Risk Assessments - China's political elite had planned on a smooth ride over the next year as a fifth generation of leaders will begin to assume the reins of power. Instead, as highlighted in today's China Monthly Report, the Party has been rocked by a major scandal just as the performance of the economy, itself starting a transition, has become less predictable.

Eurozone Insight: With news that the Greek government, its rescuers and its creditors have reached agreement over a second €130 billion bailout, the imminent risk of a Greek default seems to have been averted. The Eurozone can, for the moment, breathe a collective sigh of relief.

Produced with input from Chartis - The growth of the internet has created a new business and personal environment. Communication – and reaction – is almost instantaneous. Programs allow customers’ details to be stored immediately. Social networking allows businesses to reach a far wider audience than their existing business base and potential readers of advertisements. This new environment has evolved very quickly, and it is still developing. Unfortunately, so are the associated threats and risks.

Metal Theft and theft of metal from the open, whilst a common feature for many decades, has experienced a major increase in recent times. This is due to a significant increase in new and scrap metal prices and has moved far beyond the ‘traditional’ scope of non-ferrous metal to include just about anything metallic.

Advisen White Paper - Cloud computing provides companies with the flexibility, efficiency, cost savings and adaptability to remain competitive in today’s rapidly changing global marketplace. The buzz around cloud computing continues to grow, but not all industries have embraced the technology with the same level of enthusiasm. For example, large multinational retail and hospitality companies continually look to improve service capabilities and cut expenses,

Chartis Global Risk Assessments - Slowing economy prompts policy reassessment / NPC prefigures leadership transition / Options for loosening capital controls weighed

Chartis Global Risk Assessments - If countries like Albania and Bosnia lose patience, incentives for EU-driven reform will dissipate. The countries of the Western Balkans are at various stages along the path to EU accession. Only Kosovo has yet to take the first step towards membership by signing a Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA).

Chartis Global Risk Assessments - Any country whose prime minister stands indicted by its Supreme Court on charges of complicity in corruption, and whose president is implicated in an invitation to a foreign power to constrain his own army, might be thought to be close to the nadir of its political fortunes. However, in the case of Pakistan, these curious circumstances may presage something of a new political dawn.

Chartis Global Risk Assessments - China has surpassed the United States to become the world’s largest auto market. As such, it is a major profit center and strategic focus for global auto corporations, which are required to operate in tandem with Chinese companies. China’s automotive industry is dominated at present by the major foreign producers’ joint ventures, but a recent policy shift by Beijing aims to strengthen the position of local companies, which will continue to benefit from favored treatment by both central and local governments.

Chartis Global Risk Assessments - The civilian administration which came to office in March 2011 has quickly adopted the rhetoric of democracy and reform. In his inaugural speech as president, Thein Sein, a general in the former military junta, promised greater transparency and accountability in government, stating that the government should not ‘obstruct the fundamental rights of a citizen’ when upholding laws and procedures.

Chartis Global Risk Assessments - With Washington playing host this week to Xi Jinping, who will almost certainly become China's foremost leader in a transition over the next twelve months, today's China Monthly Report could hardly be more timely. The February edition examines the multiple tensions between the US and China, strains which may well be exacerbated by the heat of the US election campaign and which Xi will have to manage when he assumes power.

Chartis Global Risk Assessments - Kenya’s promise is clouded by impending elections and the threat of terrorism from Somalia. Kenya’s political and economic outlook is dominated by the impending presidential and legislative elections. Although due before the end of the year, these could be delayed until March 2013. The last elections, in 2007, triggered a wave of ethnic violence in which more than 1,200 people were killed, shattering Kenya’s long-standing reputation for stability.

Chartis Global Risk Assessments - Morales is caught between the rival demands of foreign investors and his own political base. With Evo Morales now into his seventh year as president, Bolivia has experienced a period of unusual political stability. Prior to his coming to power in 2006, there had been five presidents in as many years, each struggling with a minority mandate. Morales won a landslide victory in December 2005, and enjoyed an even greater re-election triumph five years later.

Chartis Global Risk Assessments - An oil supply surplus is at risk from geopolitical shocks, especially in the Persian Gulf. Oil prices have had a relatively strong start to the year, largely reflecting saber-rattling in the Persian Gulf and an escalation of Islamist militancy in Nigeria. A high political risk premium is expected to keep prices at elevated levels at least in the first quarter of 2012. Later, however, if fears of major supply disruption retreat, fundamentals should reassert themselves and drive prices somewhat lower.

Chartis Global Risk Assessments - The greatest threat to Kazakhstan is lack of clarity over the presidential succession. Eruptions of labor unrest and Islamist militancy require reassessment of political risk in Kazakhstan, an energy-rich and strategically pivotal state in Central Asia.

Chartis Global Risk Assessments - With modernisation disputed at every political level, India lacks reform drive and direction. The ruling by India’s Supreme Court January 20 that Vodafone, the UK-based telecoms giant, is not liable for taxes and penalties of up to $4.4 billion has brought relief to multinationals operating in a difficult and uncertain environment. Several other major companies face similar suits from the Indian authorities. The court’s judgement also engenders a degree of optimism for foreign investors, who had experienced a gloomy start to the new year after a disappointing performance by the Indian economy in 2011.

Early last year, Chartis in the UK was invited by Airmic, to support them and the Airmic membership in producing the first in a series of Technical Partner Guides. The Guides are designed to focus on insurance related subjects for their members, and predominantly those members where insurance may not be their sole or primary job function. Airmic are delighted with our final document, which ticked all of their boxes, please download your copy and we welcome your feedback.

Chartis Global Risk Assessments - North Korean transition poses challenges for Beijing/Tentative signs of turnaround in China’s economy/Village revolt tests leaders’ approach to unrest/Shale gas ventures with US firms expanding