The recent House of Lords decision in Barker v Corus, and the subsequent controversy, culminating in a government pledge to legislate around the ruling, has ensured that asbestos is once again a major concern for the UK insurance/ reinsurance industry. Whilst the US has seen an increase in asbestos-related claims, this has not yet occurred in Europe, although it may be that there could yet be an acceleration in claims in the future. The situation for insurers with potential asbestos-related liability exposures has, for some time, been uncertain in the UK. In the last few years several high profile court decisions have tackled the mesothelioma liability issue.... .