Beale & Co LLP > Dublin, Ireland > Firm Profile

Beale & Co LLP
1ST FLOOR, 7 GRAND CANAL STREET LOWER
DUBLIN 2
D02 KW81
Ireland

Ireland > Insurance Tier 2

Beale & Co LLP is a specialist insurance firm with an emphasis on disputes and policy coverage matters. The firm has an outstanding reputation in the professional indemnity field, acting for insurers and policyholders in defending claims against professionals and financial lines, specifically non-medical professions. It acts for most of the major insurers that provide professional indemnity cover to solicitors. The firm has achieved further growth in policy coverage issues linked to sanctions imposed on Russia as a consequence of its invasion of Ukraine. Tara Cosgrove is a leading name in professional indemnity, along with Niamh Loughran and Sarah Conroy.

Practice head(s):

Tara Cosgrove; Niamh Loughran; Sarah Conroy

Testimonials

‘Good team work and depth of capacity. Consistent, reliable, excellent service.’

‘Tara Cosgrove and Niamh Loughran both provide exemplary service and run excellent teams of associates.’

‘Excellent knowledge in insurance coverage dispute claims.’

‘Always available to discuss queries and have vast experience in this field.’

Key clients

Aviva Insurance UK

Aviva Ireland

Munich Re

Newline

CFC

Arch

Axis

QBE UK and Ireland

XL Limited

Chubb

AXA XL

Lloyds of London

RSA

CNAHardy

Work highlights

  • Acted on behalf of a construction professional in the defence of a series of cases with asserted quantum of €400m to €500m.
  • Advised a solicitor and their professional indemnity insurer on the defence of claims for negligence, breach of duty, breach of contract and misrepresentation, arising from a circa €15m loan.
  • Advised a consulting engineer and their professional indemnity insurer in relation to a claim for circa €20m, made following the discovery and remediation of defects during a building conversion.

Ireland > Construction Tier 3

The Dublin team at international construction and insurance specialist Beale & Co LLP demonstrates ‘strong skills and knowledge‘ in contentious matters in the sector, frequently representing engineers, architects, contractors and valuers in high-profile construction litigation, in addition to handling an increasing volume of conciliations and adjudications relating to large commercial and residential developments. Killian Dorney, who also provides advice on construction project documentation, Tara Cosgrove, Niamh Loughran and Sarah Conroy jointly head the practice.

Practice head(s):

Killian Dorney; Tara Cosgrove; Niamh Loughran; Sarah Conroy

Testimonials

‘As a specialist law firm, Beale & Co has particular expertise in its chosen sectors. They have a strong team locally which possesses a very good understanding of professional liability exposure and the particular needs of those operating within the construction industry. They adopt a very collaborative approach and are dedicated to serving their clients’ interests at all times.’

‘Tara Cosgrove and Killian Dorney have a wealth of experience in construction and dispute resolution matters. They bring clarity to some complex legal issues and are very competent, personable and trustworthy solicitors.’

‘All lawyers are experienced in their sectors and adopt a very sensible and pragmatic approach. As well as their strong technical ability, they understand what real client support looks like. A knowledgeable and approachable group of solicitors.’

‘Beale & Co offers consistently excellent legal services, demonstrating strong skills and knowledge in dealing with construction claims. They provide timely advice and explain the issue and process. Because they are a smaller firm, the partners have a high level of involvement in the cases, which ensures a satisfactory outcome.’

‘The team has strong experience dealing with construction claims, which allows them to provide legal strategies which protect clients from nuisance claims or reach a reasonable settlement when needed. Sarah Conroy is strong in particularly contentious cases.’

‘The practice stands out from other competitors in the way that it personalizes its business dealings with its clients. Individuals are always available outside of core business hours to react to changing situations. Its billing methods are open and transparent, often containing write-downs when the scope of works increases, reflecting the company’s ethos of partnership.’

‘Killian Dorney brings an open and rounded approach to various forms of contract disputes and has a wealth of knowledge, very often supported by case law reference.’

‘The team at Beale’s Dublin office provides an excellent professional service in the area of construction-related claims. Strengths of the team include the team’s availability and engagement, together with the appropriate levels of resourcing and overall case management, and the ability to understand complex technical and commercial issues. Beale continues to produce key information notes at a time when sound advice and guidance is needed by the construction sector.’

Key clients

Arup Consulting Engineers

Axiseng Ltd

O’Reilly Stuart & Associates

Punch Consulting

O’Connor Sutton Cronin

Tobin Consulting Engineers

The Association of Consulting Engineers Ireland

RPS Consulting Engineers

Barrett Mahoney

AECOM

Work highlights

  • Acting on behalf of a construction consultant in the defence of a series of cases with asserted quantum of €400 million to €500 million.
  • Acting for a number of leading construction companies on a retainer basis, providing advice on various issues such as professional appointments as well as main contracts and subcontracts for contractors.
  • Advising a consulting engineer and their professional indemnity insurer in relation to a claim for c.€20 million made following the discovery and remediation of defects during a building conversion.

The firm: The Beale & Company ethos is to deliver commercial and cost effective advice with a commitment that the needs of their clients come first – at every stage. The firm has a first-class reputation in advising on highly complex and technical matters in the fields of construction, engineering and infrastructure, insurance, the professions and technology. Established offices in London, Bristol, Dublin and Dubai cement the firm’s international capabilities across its practice areas. A dynamic approach to business, coupled with a sense of togetherness and integrity is valued by clients and staff alike.

Beale & Company is a specialist, high-quality insurance firm known for providing commercial and cost effective advice to insurers and professional clients throughout the Republic of Ireland, UK and internationally. They act for insurers and their insureds by defending a variety of claims including property, public liability, product liability and contractors all risk claims against a wide range of insureds and professions. They also have considerable expertise in maritime and aviation claims.

They provide all levels of support required including claims handling and delegated authority, as well as representation in mediation, arbitration and in pre and post litigation matters. The firm provides its clients with a personal, partner-led service, whilst handling the most demanding, multi-party high value claims and multi-million euro disputes.

Areas of practice
Professional negligence and insurance: professional negligence is a core part of Beale & Company’s insurance practice. Their specialist teams act on claims involving the key professional indemnity markets including construction and engineering professionals, solicitors and barristers, insurance brokers, accountants, auditors and actuaries, financial and pensions advisers, and surveyors and valuers. They are experienced in handling complex and high-value claims, as well as more straightforward and cost sensitive matters. They advise a spectrum of national and international insurers and their insureds in both the Irish and London markets. The firm advises on matters arising in respect of directors and officers, financial institutions, property and casualty, product, design and construct, EL/PL risks, marine and aviation in respect of claims, coverage advice and policy wording. Beale & Company also provide established, successful claims handling and delegated authority schemes for leading insurers.

Construction and projects: the firm acts for some of the foremost companies in the construction industry, providing specialist advice to construction professionals, contractors, employers, operators, investors, developers and their insurers in Ireland and the UK. Non-contentious work includes advising on projects from inception to completion; drafting and negotiating a wide variety of contracts for civil engineering, building and engineering, and power and energy projects in the public and private sectors. The firm has strong experience in providing comprehensive support on transactions procured in a variety of methods. The team has extensive experience of advising on standard industry forms of contract used in the building and engineering sectors. Where disputes do arise, their specialists will advise on the best strategy to resolve them. With expertise in all types of dispute resolution, advice can be offered on every aspect of litigation and alternative dispute resolution including: adjudication; conciliation; domestic and international arbitration; expert determination; and mediation.

Department Name Email Telephone
Professional negligence/insurance Tara Cosgrove
Construction Sarah Conroy
Number of lawyers : 13
Number of partners : 4
Contacts : Tara Cosgrove (senior partner)
Other offices : London
Other offices : Bristol
Other offices : Dubai