Markel UK, the retail division of Markel International, is unveiling a new service for its Employment Practices Liability (EPL) clients. Markel UK Assist is a free of charge employment law advice and guidance resource, created to address a climate of frequent and expensive employee disputes.

Between April 2003 and April 2004, there were 155,000 employee tribunal applications within the UK, and nearly £27 million was awarded to employees for offences including unfair dismissal and discrimination. Against this background Markel UK Assist is designed to provide Markel UK’s clients with practical guidance on employment law, including the latest issues and legislation.

Markel UK Assist will provide advice on topics such as discrimination, maternity, whistleblowing, disciplinary procedures and redundancy. To provide this information as accessibly as possible, the service includes the following four resources:

• The Employer Assistance Helpsite (www.markelukassist.com), which includes “employer guides” on key employment areas.
• An Employer Helpline, staffed by the specialist employment team at solicitor Beachcroft Wansbroughs, which provides step by step assistance to guide employers through specific employment law challenges.
• A Quarterly Bulletin, to keep clients up to date with the latest employment news and legislation.
• A series of Employment Seminars, hosted by Beachcroft Wansbroughs, to provide face-to-face expert guidance.

Steve Carroll, Managing Director of Markel UK, commented: “By offering this new free service to all our clients, I believe that we are making a big step towards creating greater awareness and understanding of employment law. Markel UK Assist can make a genuine and positive difference to how employers manage their staff. This initiative represents Markel’s continuing commitment to providing outstanding value and service for all our clients.”

Markel UK’s EPL covers provide protection for employment disputes, particularly for companies with 200 or less employees. The cover includes costs incurred at official investigations, inquiries and other proceedings, instigated against the insured.

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For more information contact:
Derah McCall 
Markel International
020 7953 6732

Notes to editors:
1. Markel International Limited is a specialty property and casualty insurer. Based in London and comprising the international operations of Markel Corporation, it wrote gross premiums in 2004 of $ 746 million. It has five operating divisions writing business either through Markel Syndicate 3000 or through Markel International Insurance Company Limited.

2. Markel Corporation markets and underwrites specialty insurance products and programs for a variety of niche markets.  In each of these markets, the Company seeks to provide quality products and excellent customer service so that it can be a market leader.  The financial goals of the Company are to earn consistent underwriting profits and superior investment returns to build shareholder value.