Following my original posting, I have now received a very full and frank response from the Independant Expert, Nick Dumbreck.

He has confirmed that in the light of his detailed examination of the Sceme, he

"cannot be sure that there will be no circumstances in which the benefit expectation of some policyholders may be adversely affected by the schemes". Whilst he adds

"albeit to a marginal extent" I cannot see that any scheme of Reattribution can be recommended to policy holders which will in any way edversely affect their expectations.

I would again urge all Aviva policy holders to think very carefully before simply accepting the changes being proposed by the company, which may be in their (Aviva) interests, but may not be in the interests of their customers, the policy holders.

Has anyone else noted in the booklet accompanying the recent letter to Aviva Policy Holders that the 'Independent Expert' appointed to oversee the restructuring has confirmed that they will not experience significant rduction in level of security for guaranteed benefits as a result of the scheme? What does significant mean, and why should there be any change in benefits as a result of the restructure???

He also states that no group of policy holders will experience any material reduction in reasonable benefit expectations as a result of the schemes. Again, why should there be any reduction at all?? I have written to Clifford Chance LLP to request they express my concerns to the Courts, and would urge other policy holders to do so.