Zurich overtakes St Paul on route to seizing market lead

Zurich Professional Insurance has leapfrogged the St Paul - the official Law Society indemnity insurer - as the number one provider of insurance to the profession, according to figures released by managers of the assigned risk pool.

Zurich now claims to cover the most firms - 3,000 - and it has taken the largest share of the market at 21.4%.

David Coughlan, head of Zurich Professional, said: 'We have built an excellent reputation for service that meets our solicitors' needs...

We shall continue to focus on providing excellent service and value to our customers.'

A spokesman for the St Paul, which took 20.4% of the market this year, said: 'There is not a lot in it.

These figures do not include two-year policies and layers of insurance above the compulsory 1 million.

We are very happy with our book.'

Jeremy Fleming