Reinsurance - M97（Dip级30学分，选修）-《再保险》
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（前述章节【Dip系列课程】M97-第八章-再保险相关的法律问题D-D4）
D5 Late payments（延迟付款）
Section 13(A) of the Insurance Act 2015, as introduced by the Enterprise Act 2016 on 4 May 2016, provides another example of a term implied by statute law. Under this section, if the (re)insured makes a claim under the contract, the (re)insurer must pay any sums due in respect of the claim within a reasonable time. This applies to all reinsurance contracts entered into on or after 4 May 2017 which are governed by the laws of England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
2016 年 5 月 4 日，《2016 年企业法》引入了《2015 年保险法》第 13(A) 条，这是成文法默示条款的另一个例子。根据本条，如果（再）被保险人根据合同提出索赔，则（再）保险人必须在合理的时间内支付与索赔相关的任何应付款项。这适用于 2017 年 5 月 4 日或之后签订的所有再保险合同，这些合同受英格兰和威尔士、苏格兰或北爱尔兰法律管辖。
It is stated that a ‘reasonable time’ comprises a reasonable time to investigate and assess the claim. The matters that may be taken into account are non-exhaustive, but examples are listed, such as the type of (re)insurance, the size and complexity of the claim, and compliance with any relevant statutory or regulatory rules or guidance. There is also a defence where a (re)insurer has reasonable grounds for disputing the validity or value of the claim.
其中规定，“合理时间”包括调查和评估索赔的合理时间。可能考虑的事项并不详尽，但列出了一些例子，例如（再）保险的类型、索赔的规模和复杂性，以及是否遵守任何相关的法定或监管规则或指导。如果（再）保险人有合理理由对索赔的有效性或价值提出异议，也可以提出辩护。
If breached, the (re)insured is entitled to recover contractual damages which, in most cases, are restricted to compound interest.
如果违约，（再）被保险人有权追讨合同损害赔偿，在大多数情况下，这些损害赔偿仅限于复利。
The term was introduced in part to address the unfairness highlighted in Sprung v. Royal Insurance (1997). After Mr Sprung’s business was vandalised, his insurance claim was rejected and, as he was unable to pay for repairs, his business collapsed. Mr Sprung proceeded to successfully sue the insurers, but his indemnity did not include a sum to recompense him for the loss of his business because, at that time, there was no right to damages for late payment.
引入该条款的部分原因是为了解决 Sprung 诉 Royal Insurance（1997 年）案中强调的不公平现象。Sprung 先生的生意遭到破坏后，他的保险索赔被拒绝，由于他无力支付维修费用，他的生意倒闭了。Sprung 先生成功地起诉了保险公司，但他的赔偿金不包括补偿他生意损失的金额，因为当时没有权利因延迟付款而获得损害赔偿。
It is permissible to contract out of these provisions, but not in respect of deliberate or reckless breaches of the implied term. Note that there is a one-year-limitation period within which to bring an action, commencing from the date at which full payment of the sums due under the contract is made.
允许通过合同排除这些规定，但对于故意或鲁莽违反默示条款的情况则不允许。请注意，从合同项下应付款项全额支付之日（逾期）起，诉讼时效为一年。
E Limitation（诉讼时效）
Typically, all civil legal systems fix a period beyond which a claim against another may not be pursued. This period is generally referred to as the limitation period. Where proceedings have not been commenced within that period, the claim is said to be time-barred.
通常，所有民事法律制度都会规定一个期限，超过该期限，对他人提出的索赔将无法继续。该期限通常称为诉讼时效。如果诉讼未在该期限内开始，则索赔被认为已过时效。
Under English law, the limitation period relating to contracts, including reinsurance contracts, is to be found at s.5 of the Limitation Act 1980, ‘an action founded on simple contract shall not be brought after the expiration of six years from the date on which the cause of action accrued’.
根据英国法律，与合同（包括再保险合同）有关的诉讼时效可在《1980 年诉讼时效法》第 5 条中找到，“基于简单合同的诉讼不得在诉讼原因产生之日起六年后提起”。
The limitation period does not operate automatically to bar claims six years after the date of accrual. Time-bar is a defence available at the discretion of the reinsurer, not the court. The cause of action itself is not extinguished, rather it becomes unenforceable if the defence is made out. In other words, it is the remedy not the right that is barred, reflecting the public policy principle that the law does not recognise stale claims.
诉讼时效不会自动禁止在诉讼原因产生之日起六年后提出索赔。时效是再保险人（而不是法院）可自行决定的一种辩护。诉讼原因本身并没有消失，而是如果辩护成立，它将变得无法执行。换句话说，被禁止的是补救措施而不是权利，这反映了法律不承认陈旧索赔的公共政策原则。
The limitation period runs from the date when a cause of action accrues which, in this context, is when the reinsured’s liability is ascertained by agreement, award or by judgment (Halvanon Ins. v. Companhia de Seguros do Estado de São Paulo (1995)). For the avoidance of doubt, the date of discharge of that liability to the original insured is irrelevant. So, if no claim form (formerly, writ) is issued or arbitration proceedings commenced within six years of that date, the debtor will be able to deny liability for the debt on the basis that it is time-barred.
诉讼时效自诉讼原因发生之日起计算，在再保险情境下，诉讼原因即通过协议、裁决或判决确定再保险人的责任之日（Halvanon Ins. v. Companhia de Seguros do Estado de São Paulo (1995)）。为避免疑问，向原保险人解除该责任的日期无关紧要。因此，如果（债权人）在该日期后的六年内未发出索赔表（以前称为令状）或未开始仲裁程序，则债务人可以以债务已过时效为由否认对债务承担责任。
In Halvanon, the reinsured issued a claim form which detailed sums owed by reinsurers. It attempted to produce evidence that such monies had fallen due within six years of the commencement of the proceedings on the premise that the cause of action did not accrue until presentation of the account.
在 Halvanon 案中，分保人发出索赔表，其中详细列出了再保险人所欠的款项。它试图提供证据证明这些款项在诉讼开始后的六年内到期，前提是诉讼原因在提交账户之前没有发生。
Steyn, LJ, disagreed: In the absence of special clauses … the cause of action arises when the underlying liability is ascertained by agreement, by award or by judgment. It is not postponed until the rendering of an account.
Steyn 法官不同意：在没有特殊条款的情况下……诉讼原因在通过协议、裁决或判决确定了基本责任时产生。诉讼原因不会推迟到提交账目时。
The limitation period may be amended by agreement. In the reinsurance contract, the parties may agree that the cause of action accrues from a date other than that stipulated by the Limitation Act (for instance, if later, the date of delivery of periodic accounts). It is clear, however, that a reinsured cannot extend the limitation period by failing to submit accounts to its reinsurer.
诉讼时效期限可通过协议修改。在再保险合同中，双方可同意诉讼原因从《时效法》规定的日期以外的日期开始（例如，如果更晚，则从交付定期账目的日期开始）。但很明显，分保人不能通过不向再保险人提交账目来延长时效期限。
Additionally, rather than commencing proceedings – if, for example, settlement negotiations are well advanced – the parties may enter into a Standstill Agreement or, in the USA, a Tolling Agreement. Such an agreement has the effect of suspending the running of time from a specified date, and is usually on terms that defences that have arisen (for example, time-bar) are preserved.
此外，如果和解谈判进展顺利等情况下，当事人可以不启动诉讼程序，而是签订一份《停顿协议》，或者在美国签订一份《中止协议》。此类协议具有从指定日期起暂停计算时间的效力，通常以保留已出现的抗辩（如时效）为条件。
Noted: The limitation period may also be extended by written acknowledgement and part payment.
请注意：时效期限也可以通过书面确认和部分付款延长。
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