The Legal 500

Position

Barrister specialising in commercial, EU and public law litigation and international arbitrations, including, in particular, insurance and reinsurance law, aviation law, banking law, sports law and professional negligence. Neil represented the successful reinsurer-appellants (AGF) in the landmark case of WASA and AGF v Lexington [2009] UKHL 40, being the last case determined by the House of Lords (before the establishment of the new Supreme Court). Neil also frequently sits as an arbitrator (currently sitting as QC chairman in an international telecommunications dispute and as sole QC arbitrator in an aviation law dispute), and is also a Crown Court recorder (SE Region). He is currently acting as lead advocate in two separate major EU banking and pensions transfer disputes; in high-profile litigation between Russian billionaire businessmen; in a number of Bermuda form insurance disputes; in a number of liability insurance disputes; in an EU public procurement dispute and in EU pharmaceutical competition law claims; in an arbitration for reinsurers arising out of Hurricane Katrina losses; and for war risks reinsurers in relation to loss of aircraft. Recently acted for a hedge fund in a dispute arising out of the Irish banking crisis; for Aspen Insurance in successfully extending the law concerning an insurer’s right to refuse to pay a claim by reason of its late notification (Aspen v Pectel [2008] EWHC 2804 (comm)) and again for successful reinsurers in a similar dispute (Loyaltrend v Brit [2010] EWHC 425 (Comm)). Other major cases include: Equitas v Horace Holman [2007] EWHC 903 (Comm); Euler Hermes v Apple Corps [2004] EWHC 1584 (Comm); Bonner v Cox [2004] EWHC 2963; Sphere Drake v Orion [2001] Lloyd’s Rep 1 142; Syndicate 1242 v Morgan Read & Sharman [2003] Lloyd’s Rep IR 412; Warner Chappell v Michael Bolton; BP Amoco v GE Frankona [2003] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 537; Sir Elton John v PWC [2002] EWCA Civ 889 (CA); AIG v QBE [2001] 2 Lloyds Rep 268; Heaton v AXA [2002] 2 AC 329; Wurttembergische v Home Insurance Co [1999] LRLR 397; The Sivand [1998] 2 Lloyds Rep 97; The Kyriaki [1993] 1 Lloyds Rep 137; NLA v Bowers [1999] 1 Lloyds Rep 109; Walker v Rowe [2000] 1 Lloyds Rep 116; Rowland v Bock [2002] 4 All ER 370; Kirklees v Wickes [1993] AC 227; Stoke CC v B&Q [1993] AC 900; Ernst & Young v Butte Mining [1997] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 313 and [1996] 2 All ER 623.

Career

Called 1987, Gray’s Inn; appointed Queen’s Counsel 2006. Appointed recorder (SE region), 2009. Acts regularly as a commercial and international arbitrator.

Languages

French, Italian.

Member

COMBAR.

Education

Christ’s College, Cambridge (MA Hons First Class).

Practice Areas

Litigation - commercial; Litigation - insurance/reinsurance; Sport