Presentation

RIAD originally means "Rencontres Internationales des Assureurs Défense" ("International meetings of the insurers of defence"). Founded in 1969 in Roma as an independent organization of the specialists in legal protection of 8 European countries, the RIAD publishes soon the periodical "L'Assurance Défense en Europe – Rechtsschutz in Europa" which will be edited during two decades.

Since 1973, that is to say since the adoption of the directive on damages insurance by the European authorities, the RIAD essentially does concentrate its activities on the defence of the specialising in the legal protection, firstly as regards the European Commission, but also other bodies as representatives of lawyers and consumers. Throughout the drafting of the Legal Expenses Directive, the RIAD does conduct lobbying action, with particular reference to the Economic and Social Committee and the European Parliament. In 1980 the RIAD as an informal organ does change into a structured association regulated by statutes.  

The Directive of 1987 on the Legal Protection which, as it is well known, does not accept the division of the branches, alters the traditional system of the legal expenses insurance in Germany. The member companies of this country leave the RIAD, involving a significant change for the association. But new matters are quickly found, always in respect with the idea to promote legal protection. In 1993 new statutes and a Code of practice are adopted and the name is changed into RIAD-IALEX. Congresses are again and regularly organized, as moreover technical seminars. 

During all the years the association has grown. Sections have been created in a lot of countries, even out of Europe. Many German companies become again members. In 2002 the statutes are modified, the instruments of the association are strengthened. The association is again called RIAD. In 2006 RIAD’s registered office is moved to Brussels where it is actively involved in lobby activities as an Aisbl (Association internationale sans but lucrative - international non-profit Association). RIAD actually counts 18 national sections and approx. 60 member companies.

RIAD’s purpose is to promote the reputation of the legal protection insurance in all the European countries, and even beyond, in contributing to the development of the branch and in safeguarding the general interests of its members.

Geneva, Summer 2003       Max Plattner, President