The Legal 500 > United Kingdom - The Bar > London Bar > Insurance and reinsurance

7 King's Bench Walk is 'the premier set for insurance and reinsurance work'; it 'consistently provides the desired balance of incredibly bright and talented barristers while also being approachable and enjoyable to work alongside'. Single Buoy Moorings v Zurich Insurance, which concerned damage to the MOPUstor platform in the North Sea, was a key highlight for the set where Jonathan Gaisman QC, Dominick Kendrick QC, David Bailey QC, Alistair Schaff QC, and several juniors from chambers, were instructed. Also of note, Peter MacDonald Eggers QC is instructed by Lloyd's Underwriters in Shuffle Along v Lloyd’s Underwriters, a claim under an event cancellation policy which is litigated in New York. In Cultural Foundation v Beazley Furlonge,  a key claim under a professional liability policy relating to two construction projects in the UAE, MacDonald Eggers QC led Marcus Mander on behalf of the excess insurers and James Brocklebank QC acted for the American School of Dubai.

4 New Square has 'good strength-in-depth' for insurance and reinsurance disputes, is 'outstanding on professional negligence disputes', and has a 'good number of excellent general insurance counsel' boasting an 'excellent blend of technical ability, approachability and commerciality of service delivery'. Coverage dispute Europools v RSA, which involved Ben Elkington QC, Jonathan Hough QC and George Spalton, was a notable matter for the set. Elsewhere, Graham Eklund QC appeared in Spire Healthcare v RSA which upheld a judgment in favour of insurers on whether numerous claims arising from the misconduct of a consultant breast surgeon fell to be aggregated under a policy of liability insurance. Neil Hext QC successfully acted for the defendant insurance broker in the Court of Appeal in Channon v Ward.

Brick Court Chambers is 'one of the leading sets for insurance and reinsurance work' thanks to its 'range of able counsel', according to clients. Eight members of chambers were instructed on the high-profile Single Buoy Moorings v Zurich Insurance case, where Mark Howard QC, Neil Calver QC, Stephen Midwinter QC, Tony Singla and Fred Hobson played a key role. FRC v KPMG (re Equity Red Star), which examined the alleged deficient auditing of the technical reserves of a Lloyd’s Motor Syndicate, was a notable case for Simon Salzedo QC in which he led Hobson. Meanwhile, Singla was also instructed in Crowden v QBE Insurance, which involved the interpretation and application of an exclusion in a professional liability insurance policy to a claim for mis-selling of financial instruments.

Essex Court Chambers has 'great strength-in-depth' for insurance and reinsurance work. Although it is active across a range of insurance disputes, the set stands out for its Bermuda Form and marine insurance expertise. David Foxton QC and David Walsh, who joined from Quadrant Chambers in 2018, are involved in Double Eight Marine v RSA & others, a claim for the total loss of the vessel, the Panamax Trader. Elsewhere, John Lockey QC was instructed in the $1bn dispute, Single Buoy Mooring v Insurers and was also instructed in platform rig claim, Siri v Noreco. David Scorey QC was instructed in Harvey Weinstein v Chubb, a claim by the former film producer seeking coverage for his legal costs relating to multiple sexual assault allegations.

Fountain Court Chambers is a 'very strong set' noted for its 'intellectual rigour'. Its members are regularly instructed in high-value disputes including insurance coverage and liability work. Bermuda Form insurance coverage disputes, product and public liability insurance, professional indemnity, run-off policies, property catastrophe insurance disputes and political risks cover are also key areas of expertise. Claims arising from the financial services sector are a notable area of activity for the set. Leigh-Ann Mulcahy QC is defending AIG in Various Claimants v Giambrone & Law & AIG Europe, a complex claim for costs against an insurer non-party. Brightside Group and Brightside Insurance Services v RSM UK Audit and Paul Chase-Gardener, a £50m case brought by the Brightside group of insurance companies, is a notable case for Bankim Thanki QC who is acting for the former director.

2 Temple Gardens' members handle a raft of non-marine insurance and reinsurance disputes and has expertise across covering liability, property, aviation and international contractors’ all risks insurance. The 'exceptional' set is also noted for its expertise in life and health insurance matters; Bob Moxon Browne QC is acting in Re: Alexander Perepilichnyy (deceased), a high-profile life insurance dispute. Sonia Nolten is acting for the defendants in Miley v Friends Life, a high-profile fraud claim.

3 Verulam Buildings is noted for its 'star individuals' for insurance and reinsurance work. Peter Ratcliffe and Adam Kramer were instructed in professional indemnity policy dispute Brightside Group Ltd v AIG Europe Ltd and others. With several 'fantastic silks', Tom Weitzman QC, in particular, has been involved in a number of complex insurance disputes; he led Kate Holderness in The Cultural Foundation & Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company v Beazley Furlonge, which relates to claims brought by third parties against Beazley Furlonge and a number of excess insurers under the Third Parties (Rights Against Insurers) Act 1930.

4 PUMP COURT is a 'fantastic set for insurance and reinsurance disputes' where it fields a 'raft of top-quality barristers' often instructed in cross-border litigation. Andrew Neish QC is representing ADNEC in the Commercial Court proceedings relating to the enforcement of an UAE arbitration award against various layers of London market insurers under the Third Party (Rights Against Insurers) Act 1930. Also of note, Cultural Foundation and Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company v Beazley Furlonge. Aldridge & others v Liberty Mutual Insurance and Arch Insurance was a key case for Aidan Christie QC in which he acted for the insurers.

With 'very good quality counsel at a range of levels' and a 'flexible and user-friendly approach', Crown Office Chambers is 'well regarded for its insurance expertise'. Members are noted for their experience across construction and property claims, professional liability, product, employers, and public liability insurance disputes. Ben Quiney QC, leading Caroline McColgan, is acting for the BBC in 2 Entertain Video, BBC Worldwide and Demon Music Group Ltd v Sony DADC Europe, a high-value claim arising from the damage caused during the 2011 London riots. In another highlight, Quiney QC successfully represented a recycling company seeking to recover insurance monies due to a fire in Wheeldon v Millennium Insurance. Also of note, Michael Kent QC appeared in RSA Insurance v Assicurazioni Generali, an employers' liability dispute.

Quadrant Chambers' provides an 'excellent service' for insurance work and its expertise spans marine and non-marine cases.  Luke Parsons QC represented Lloyd's Syndicate 1221 in Englehart CTP (US) v Lloyd's Syndicate 1221, a US$10m commodities insurance dispute, and Guy Blackwood QC sucessfully represented the underwriters in Supreme Court case The B Atlantic. Tim Marland represents a number of reinsurers in Kapital Insurance v Various Reinsurers, a claim by a Russian insurer to enforce judgment against reinsurers arising out of the fatal crash of a Sukhoi Superjet.

Devereux has an 'excellent reputation for insurance and reinsurance disputes' and is home to 'several leading experts'. Colin Edelman QC led Richard Harrison in UKI Insurance Limited v R&S Pilling, a high-profile dispute which examines the UK’s compulsory motor insurance regime and whether this is enlarged by virtue of EU law. Allianz Insurance Plc v Tonicstar was a notable matter for Andrew Burns QC.

Hardwicke is 'extremely easy to deal with' and it handles a range of disputes involving insurers and insurance cover, with expertise across construction, property damage, professional liability, clinical negligence, personal injury, public liability, consumer, employer’s liability, and health and safety disputes. Paul Reed QC and David Pliener are involved in the long-running case, Volkerfitzpatrick & Keller v Stewart & Harris. Members are also experienced in insolvency matters relating to insurance disputes; Nigel Jones QC and Sarah McCann are involved in various high-value and high-profile claims relating to the insolvency of Enterprise Insurance.

Twenty Essex is 'excellent' and regularly engaged in complex insurance and reinsurance disputes; Michael Ashcroft QC  is representing the insurers in The Swedish Club v Connect Shipping (MV Renos), a high-profile claim for constructive total loss. Christopher Hancock QC is instructed by the claimant in M/T Prestige, a case relating to one of the largest oil spills in history.