Firms To Watch: Insurance litigation: for policyholders

Keystone Law‘s insurance policyholder expertise is led by Marie-Claire Di Mambro, experienced in Covid-19 business interruption claims, and Jane Harte-Lovelace who acts for smaller companies and individuals in matters including quantum disputes.

Nick Atkins  leads the insurance litigation team at Hogan Lovells International LLP, advising policyholder clients across a range of industry sectors including financial services, energy, hospitality and consumer goods.

Insurance litigation: for policyholders in London

Fenchurch Law

Fenchurch Law is ‘as good as it gets’ – a boutique policyholder insurance firm, it prioritises collaborative work with insurers – supported by a number of the team members who have experience working insurer-side, including Michael Robin who joined the team in December 2022 from DWF. David Pryce leads the team – a ‘razor sharp’ legal mind and ‘leader in the market’, he is the founder and managing partner of the firm, with notable expertise in construction cases, including those with an international element. Rob Goodship  is ‘one to watch’, with particular expertise advising on the Building Safety Act 2022; ‘brilliant litigator’ Joanna Grant has significant strengthin  Covid-19 claims, with expertise on high-profile business interruption claims.  Amy Lacey is experienced in alternative forms of dispute resolution; Jonathan Corman is ‘at the foremost of his field’, leading the firm’s financial and professional risks practice.

Practice head(s):

David Pryce


Other key lawyers:

Joanna Grant; Jonathan Corman; Amy Lacey; Rob Goodship; Michael Robin; Alexander Rosenfield; Anthony McGeough; Daniel Robin


Testimonials

‘Fenchurch is an astonishingly strong team. Each member is exceptional, from the senior partners all the way to the new starters. They are excellent lawyers, they really know their insurance law, and they fight hard for their clients. They are the Go-To firm for big policyholder disputes. As good as it gets.’

‘David Pryce is a leader in the market, knows everything there is to know about insurance law and an adept commercially minded savvy litigator.

‘Joanna Grant is a brilliant litigator. Tenacious, brilliant with the detail but never losing sight of the commercial objective. You would always want her on your team.’

‘Rob Goodship is smart and thoughtful. Excellent on the law. Always looking for an effective strategy. One to watch.’

‘Anthony McGeough is hard working, unflappable, clever, thorough. What more could you want?’

‘Alexander Rosenfield is amazing on the detail. Completely on top of all aspects of the case. An excellent lawyer.’

‘Jonathan Corman is at the foremost of his field and a pragmatic and realistic lawyer who quickly identifies the issues and ways to address them.’

‘David Pryce has a razor sharp legal and insurance law mind and cuts to the heart of matters to get the best outcome for policyholders. Jonathan Corman is also razor sharp and pulls no punches in achieving the best outcome for policyholders.’

Key clients

Stonegate Pub Company Limited


Hollywood Bowl Group Plc


Ground Rent Estates 5 Ltd (GRE5)


World Challenge Expeditions Limited


International Entertainment Holdings Limited


University of Exeter


Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd


Tughans Solicitors


Work highlights


  • Representing Stonegate Pub Company in the leading Covid-19 business interruption aggregation litigation. (Stonegate v MS Amlin, Zurich & Liberty, Commercial Court Case CL-2021-000161).
  • Representing Tughans Solicitors, a leading firm in Northern Ireland, in relation to a professionally indemnity coverage dispute with its insurers.
  • Representing Sir Robert McAlpine, a leading UK construction and civil engineering company, in relation to a complex CAR Insurance dispute, principally concerning aggregation issues arsing from damage to pre-fabricated bathroom pods.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP‘s insurance and professional risks team ‘works incredibly hard, is extremely knowledgeable and has the bravery to make the tough calls‘. An associate partner for the UK Association of Insurance and Risk Managers, the team works on a wide range of complex issues impacting policyholders, including energy claims, cyber insurance and warranty and indemnity insurance. The last of these is a particular area of expertise for the ‘fantasticSarah McNally. The team continues to be involved in advising high-profile clients on business interruption issues arising from the COVID-19 crisis, following its success in the 2020 FCA test case concerning such claims. Paul Lewis heads the team, head of the firm’s global contentious insurance and reinsurance practice. Praised for its ‘ability to give sound legal advice at each stage’ of a dispute, the team has expertise in alternative dispute resolution, with Alexander Oddy leading the firm’s practice in this area, as well as advising on policyholder claims in the energy and natural resources sector both in the UK and internationally.  Greig Anderson is particularly experienced working for financial institutions; Fiona Treanor combines energy claim experience with technical reinsurance work.

Practice head(s):

Paul Lewis


Other key lawyers:

Alexander Oddy; Sarah McNally; Greig Anderson; Fiona Treanor


Testimonials

‘I find it important that the people I deal with are approachable and straight forward to work with. The HSF team certainly have these qualities.’

‘Their approach to tackling a problem and willingness to engage and get on with things.’

‘I have for several years worked closely with HSF and I continue to be impressed with their capabilities – pragmatic advice, international network – insurance litigation market leaders.’

Key clients

Aercap


Sky


JD Williams


Work highlights


  • Advising Aercap on claims under aviation insurance policies in excess of US$3.5 billion relating to the loss of aircraft and engines in Ukraine and Russia following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the imposition of international sanctions
  • Advising Sky on a significant insurance claim under a construction all risks project policy relating to the design and build of its new office headquarters in West London.
  • Advising J.D. Williams & Company Limited in their defence of a £64 million claim brought by the insurer Allianz concerning financial responsibility for PPI redress

Reed Smith LLP

‘An absolute go-to for policyholder disputes‘, Reed Smith LLP‘s insurance recovery group is under the ‘great leadership’ of Peter Hardy, who is experienced in a range of insurance coverage claims including Bermuda Form disputes and D&O liability as well as political risk work. The team’s global reach means that it carries out extensive international work, with notable collaboration with US colleagues. It also has expertise in professional indemnity; marine, energy and property insurance; and reinsurance. ‘Exceptional litigatorMargaret Campbell acts for a range of high profile clients in complex disputes from energy risks to marine cargo insurance. Counsel Laura-May Scott, is ‘extremely able’ and provides an ‘excellent all-round service‘ – alongside experience with complex claims, she advises on risk management and regulatory scrutiny. Mark Pring is also recommended.

Practice head(s):

Peter Hardy


Other key lawyers:

Margaret Campbell; Mark Pring; Laura-May Scott


Testimonials

‘An absolute go-to firm for policyholder disputes. They have real expertise and experience of policyholder claims, and combine a very slick offering with intelligent approaches to difficult disputes.’

‘The team has a wealth of experience in acting for policyholders against insurers and unrivalled knowledge of the market and applicable law. The team has great strength across all levels of seniority.’

‘Margaret Campbell is an exceptional litigator with first class knowledge of the law of insurance and awareness of the market. She thinks imaginatively, is proactive and brings outstanding thought and commitment to every case.’

Allen & Overy LLP

Joanna Page leads the litigation and investigations team at Allen & Overy LLP, an experienced team which represents companies in disputes against the Lloyd’s market, Bermuda market and international insurers. The firm’s wider financial sector expertise contributes to the team’s strong expertise in this market: acting in insurance disputes involving complex financial instruments and capital markets structures. It also has notable experience in the use of arbitration, with team members’ ‘excellent technical and commercial knowledge’ contributing to this form of dispute resolution. Russell Butland has particular experience regarding business interruption claims, as well as political risk policies.

Practice head(s):

Joanna Page


Other key lawyers:

Russell Butland; India Jordan


Testimonials

‘Excellent technical and commercial knowledge and a pleasure to work with. Very responsive even for relatively small matters.’

‘Russell Butland has excellent technical and commercial knowledge and is very client-friendly.’

Clifford Chance LLP

The insurance team at Clifford Chance LLP sits within the wider litigation and dispute resolution offering, and is headed by Philip Hill, an expert in complex claims for high profile clients, including issues arising from the Ukraine crisis, and Covid-19 losses. The team has experience acting for banks, major corporates, private equity firms, aircraft leasing companies, with a number of particularly complex aviation claims led by Julian Acratopulo. It has additional expertise regarding the oil, gas, energy and construction sectors, drawing on the strength of Christopher Ingham. Dorian Drew specialises in investigations and regulatory enforcement action; Kate Scott has notable experience acting for financial sector clients. The team has significant experience acting for major sporting clients regarding Covid-19 business interruption.

Practice head(s):

Philip Hill


Other key lawyers:

Dorian Drew; Kate Scott; Christopher Ingham; Baljit Rai; Julian Acratopulo; Lindsay Bickerton; Terry O’Neill


Work highlights


  • Acting for ten aircraft lessors and financiers in relation to recovering losses (c. USD 4 bn) from their Insurers resulting from the detention of aircraft in Russia in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the implementation of sanctions.
  • Acting for a group of eight Premier League football clubs in proceedings to recover under their business interruption insurance policies for loss of ticket revenue (and other losses) they have suffered in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • Acted for in excess of 15 banking and other clients in the placement of credit insurance, including acting on novel structures and advising on capital relief, other regulatory issues and assisting with losses and restructurings.

Fladgate LLP

The ‘outstanding, unflappableGarbhan Shanks leads the team at Fladgate LLP, ‘known for the clarity of his advice and robustness of approach’. The team has experience advising on Covid-19 related claims for a range of industries, from retail and leisure to care homes and construction, an area in which senior associate Naomi Hall has particular strength. Additionally, it has expertise in coverage disputes including employers’ liability, political risk, corporate crime and cyber insurance. ‘Accomplished’ senior associate Harriet Chopra has notable expertise in the pharma industry, advising US policyholders on a issues including Bermuda Form arbitrations. The firm’s construction-related policyholder offering is headed by David Weare.

Practice head(s):

Garbhan Shanks


Other key lawyers:

David Weare; Harriet Chopra; Naomi Hall


Testimonials

‘Full time dedication to representing policyholders in insurance coverage disputes, a rarity in the London market.’

‘Garbhan Shanks is smart, savvy, thoughtful, creative, and dedicated to the profession.’

‘Harriet Chopra is accomplished, on top of all of the facts, and sharp.’

‘Garbhan Shanks is an outstanding, unflappable lawyer known for the clarity of his advice and robustness of approach when representing clients.’

‘The team work well as a unit and are responsive.’

‘Harriet Chopra is great. Her legal knowledge is good and her judgment on questions of strategy is excellent.’

‘Garbhan Shanks has built up an excellent team with real strength in depth. They have continued to grow and thrive following the move from Michelmores. Garbhan has particularly strong links in the litigation/arbitration funding sphere, which offers additional opportunities for work. Garbhan is very commercial and practical and has an easy manner with clients.’

Key clients

Specialised Vessel Services Ltd


Ecobat


Gupta Family Group Alliance


Wyelands Capital


Houlder Ltd


Ibérica Restaurants


Work highlights


  • Acting for Specialised Vessel Services Ltd as policyholder in the High Court broker professional negligence claim relating to H&M and P&I insurance in respect of a vessel which collided and sunk off the coast of Nigeria.

HFW

HFW‘s insurance and reinsurance group combines breadth of sector knowledge, from aviation and shipping to commodities and energy, with international reach – offices across the globe, including notable presence in Latin America, supported by Spanish-speaking London partners Jonathan Bruce and Christopher Cardona. It is experienced in complex international disputes including those involving onshore and offshore property, energy, mining and marine issues. Additionally, it has notable experience regarding renewable energy insurance. The team is co-headed by Christopher Foster, head of insurance for the firm; Jonathan Bruce, a specialist ion energy, property and marine insurance; and Nigel Wick, who has particular experience regarding market losses arising from Covid-19.

Practice head(s):

Christopher Foster; Jonathan Bruce; Nigel Wick


Other key lawyers:

Christopher Cardona; Simon Banner


Testimonials

‘Well known and very respected admiralty law firm, covering the whole range of legal services for the marine and aviation commercial and insurance sectors.’

‘Jonathan Bruce, partner, is someone I have dealt with on various occasions, handling often complex marine claims matters. He is extremely knowledgeable and astute, very quickly grasps the issues regarding a case, and is efficient at finding sensible solutions to difficult problems.’

K&L Gates LLP

The insurance recovery and counselling team at K&L Gates LLP is led by Sarah Turpin, who navigates ‘the greatest issues with a steady hand’. It has experience assisting policyholders not only in dispute resolution but also with non-contentious advice including policy wording. The firm’s international reach supports its cross-border work in this area, including expertise regarding Bermuda Form claims, an area in which Ian Meredith specialises. The team also has experience in D&O liability, professional liability, cyber risk and property and business interruption – including claims arising from the Covid-19 lockdown. Matthew Smith has particular expertise regarding the construction industry.

Practice head(s):

Sarah Turpin


Other key lawyers:

Matthew Smith; Ian Meredith; Matthew Walker; Andrew Connelly; Bilal Khattab


Testimonials

‘Sarah Turpin has the class, expertise and leadership to navigate the greatest issues with a steady hand.’

Key clients

Hyve Group plc


Republic of France


Far East Façades (UK) Limited


Work highlights


  • Advising Hyve Group plc on insurance claims under an Event Cancellation insurance policy following the postponement/cancellation of a number of market leading exhibitions and events and as a result of government imposed restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Representing the Republic of France in a series of court and arbitral proceedings that arise out of the loss of the oil tanker the M/T Prestige in Nov 2002 and the resulting major oil spill.
  • Representing FEFUK in two proceedings issued urgently out of the High Court’s Technology and Construction Court and Insolvency and Companies List.

Mishcon de Reya LLP

Mishcon de Reya LLP’s ‘market-leading’ insurance disputes team ‘combines broad commercial awareness with targeted knowledge’, from expertise in Bermuda Form disputes to recent experience participating in the FCA Business Interruption test case and involvement in one of three ongoing test cases regarding Covid-19 aggregation issues. The growing team is led by ‘stand out partnerSonia Campbell, a specialist in life science work with and high-profile directors and officers coverage issues, and Richard Leedham – ‘one of the very best around’ – who has extensive experience acting for corporate policyholders across a range of industries. Ralph Fearnhead and senior associate Sophie Fairclough are also recommended.

Practice head(s):

Richard Leedham; Sonia Campbell


Other key lawyers:

Ralph Fearnhead; Sophie Fairclough


Testimonials

‘Unrivalled expertise acting for insureds against insurers and brokers in high-value, complex disputes provides the team with a unique and compelling offering to clients. Beyond this, there is real strength in depth and outstanding partner engagement.’

‘Sonia Campbell is a stand-out partner who leads from the front. She is amazingly dedicated to her clients and goes the extra mile in pushing their cases forward. She has detailed knowledge of the market and relevant law combined with a sure strategic touch.’

‘Sonia Campbell puts all her efforts in providing the best services for the client, choosing the right legal team including barristers. She gets involved in all aspects: the merits, evidence, the entire process.’

‘Sophie Fairclough is an excellent lawyer, very efficient, very good to work with.’

‘Mishcon de Reya’s policyholder insurance offering is market-leading and combines broad commercial awareness with targeted knowledge and access to some of the best barristers at the drop of a hat.’

‘One of the very best claimant insurance law firms in the world.’

‘Richard Leedham continues to be one of the very best around. Tough, clever, insightful and highly experienced and determined.’

‘Richard Leedham is a very safe pair of hands and a brilliant, commercial operator who knows how to manage and settle the most complex of disputes.’

Key clients

Various Eateries Trading Limited


Prosus Limited


Apache Capital Partners Limited


Al Mana Group


Covid-19 Business Interruption – Allianz Group Action Claim


Work highlights


  • Advised Various Eateries Trading Limited on COVID-19 aggregation issues in proceedings that were heard in July 2022.
  • Advised Prosus on a review of their global D&O insurance cover programme and on their parent company Cyber insurance cover.
  • Acted for 21 companies within the Al Mana Group (“AMG”) in relation to insurance coverage issues concerning multiple multi-jurisdictional operations across a variety of sectors in a number of GCC countries and Ireland.

Addleshaw Goddard

Richard Wise leads the insurance disputes team at Addleshaw Goddard, recommended for his ‘superb grasp of technical issues, coupled with a plain-speaking style’. The team is particularly experienced in international insurance disputes, Wise and associate Laura Payne specialise in the Bermuda Form, with warranty and indemnity coverage an additional area of expertise; ‘first classNatasha Winter has notable experience regarding claims supported by urgent injunctive relief.

Practice head(s):

Richard Wise


Other key lawyers:

Natasha Winter; Laura Payne


Testimonials

‘Addleshaw Goddard stands out for me by its relentless focus on the client’s commercial objectives. For all the team’s technical abilities, they never lose sight that the legal position is a means to an end: to ensure the client’s business is protected and able to develop.’

‘Richard Wise has a superb grasp of technical issues, coupled with a plain-speaking style so that clients are given advice in a succinct, highly digestible way. Richard has an encyclopaedic knowledge of insurance law. He is also a great team-leader.’

‘A wonderfully personable and switched on team of lawyers, delivering a first-class service to their clients.’

‘Just excellent to work with. Legal expertise and knowledge of the market is a given, but the whole team at AG is a joy to work with. Richard Wise is making a real name for himself in the field. Bright and amazing attention to detail, yet able to cut through the rubbish to focus on the issues that really matter. Natasha Winter is also first class.’

‘Laura Payne is exceptional in her work rate and product, but also so good to work with.’

‘Really outstanding for heavyweight insurance litigation.’

‘Laura Payne is tenacious, hardworking and very bright.’

‘Natasha Winter is brilliant at handling clients and making everyone feel at ease.’

Key clients

White Oak Europe Acquisition Limited


Project Angel Bidco Limited


Dassault Aviation SA


Alsford Page & Gems Ltd


Work highlights


  • Acted for White Oak in obtaining summary judgment on liability in a £19m warranty and indemnity insurance claim in the Commercial Court.
  • Represented Dassault Aviation (France) against Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co (Japan) in Dassault’s successful challenge under section 67 of the Arbitration Act before the Commercial Court in London relating to a partial award on jurisdiction issued by an eminent ICC arbitral tribunal.
  • Acting for a Fortune 500 company in arbitrations with excess liability insurers concerning losses in excess of $300m arising from one of its products.

Burges Salmon LLP

The ‘excellent‘ team at Burges Salmon LLP combines experience in a range of coverage disputes with firmwide strength in the construction, transport, energy and financial services sectors. Matthew Walker leads the team from Bristol ‘with his great experience and commercial sensibility’, and is particularly experienced regarding construction insurance claims.  The team has notable experience in the financial services industry, working with the UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

Practice head(s):

Matthew Walker


Other key lawyers:

Christopher Wenn


Testimonials

‘The insurance litigation team at Burger Salmon are formidable – bright, hard-working, and capable of managing long and complex matters without a hitch.’

‘Matthew Walker leads the team with his great experience and commercial sensibility.’

‘Senior Associate Christopher Wenn is a very clever, very capable litigator, always thinking about the next strategic step.’

‘Specialist in construction insurance with a good knowledge of the area.’

‘The team at Burges Salmon are really excellent – very bright, extremely personable, down ot earth and approachable, and excellent lawyers.’

‘Matthew Walker is extremely bright, a quite outstanding lawyer, a brilliant strategist with great commercial acumen – and a great pleasure to work with.’ 

Key clients

Costain Group plc


Jaguar Energy Guatemala LLC


Financial Services Compensation Scheme Limited


FirstGroup plc


Andrew Brownsword Hotels Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised Financial Services Compensation Scheme on a portfolio of claims against defaulted SIPP Operators and their PI Insurers via the Third Party (Rights Against Insurers) Act 2010.

Edwin Coe LLP

The insurance litigation team at Edwin Coe LLP is led by the ‘absolutely first classRoger Franklin, a specialist in cases involving allegations of fraud and under-insurance in business interruption claims. The team has developed a strong expertise in Covid-19 business interruption claims, including advising policyholder groups in regards to the FCA test case, and carrying out further test cases themselves. Alongside this expertise in BI claims, the team is also has notable experience dealing with complex quantum issues. ‘Excellent strategist’ Nicola Maher is recommended for her ‘tenacious’ approach, specialising in substantial property damage and resolving disputes through mediation; Michael Whitton is ‘hugely experienced’.

Practice head(s):

Roger Franklin


Other key lawyers:

Michael Whitton; Nicola Maher; Oliver Pannell; Kate Dwyer


Testimonials

‘Edwin Coe is one of the few insurance litigation practices specialising in assisting policyholders. They appreciate the sensitivity of the relationship between their policyholder client and the insurer with whom the client is in dispute; conscious that the relationship may extend beyond that issue and may have to continue post settlement. Always courteous and respectful to their client and others, Edwin Coe is a winning team.’

‘Nicola Maher is an excellent strategist exercising sound judgement, and closely attentive to detail. Nicola is always calm and unflappable, but tenacious in prosecuting her clients’ cases. Always responsive and a delight to deal with, Nicola is conscious of cost-proportionality.’

‘Nicola Maher was fantastic. Professional and concise in everything she did. I would highly recommend her.’

‘Michael Whitton is clearly knowledgeable, hugely experienced, firm manner but delivered with complete courtesy.’

‘A special and rare knowledge and understanding of the standards of practice expected of companies and practitioners in the insurance world.’

‘I have worked closely with Roger Franklin for many years and I particularly value his understanding of the adversarial process and his ability to put the clients interests first when considering the matter of settlement or not. Roger and his team have developed meaningful relationships with the top insurance negligence sets.’

‘Roger Franklin is absolutely first class.’

‘Roger Franklin is very professional and always goes the extra mile to support our situation.’

Key clients

Corbin & King Ltd


DC Bars Ltd


Fuller, Smith & Turner PLC


Gatwick Investment Ltd T/A Crowne Plaza London Gatwick Airport


Thornton Manor Estate Ltd


Oaxaca Ltd. T/A Wahaca


Starboard Hotels Ltd


Stewarts Law LLP

Aaron Le Marquer leads the policyholder disputes team at Stewarts Law LLP, joining from Fenchurch Law in September 2022, with a focus on high value, complex disputes arising out of geopolitical issues. It has extensive experience regarding Covid-19 business interruption claims, and sits within the frims’ larger team with access to tax, insolvency and sanctions specialists. ‘Aaron Le Marquer is genuinely outstanding’, with notable expertise in cross-border claims. ‘Excellent’ associate James Breese also moved alongside Le Marquer in 2022, a specialist in financial lines of insurance.

Practice head(s):

Aaron Le Marquer


Other key lawyers:

Elaina Bailes; James Breese


Testimonials

‘A great new insurance team under Aaron Le Marquer, who came in with one of the very leading COVID business interruption practices.’

‘Aaron Le Marquer is one of the top for business interruption insurance, with knowledge of all cases and developments in the area and good client management. James Breese is an excellent associate working for him.’

‘Focused on high value and complex insurance litigation for policyholders: the team is immensely experienced, agile, well resourced, and tenacious. Particular expertise in heavy COVID-19 business interruption insurance disputes.’

‘Aaron Le Marquer is the complete package: deep knowledge of both the law and the market, brilliant on strategy, great team leader.’

‘James Breese is a senior associate going places fast: responsive, energetic, and superb with clients.’

‘Good overall knowledge of the sector combined with the ability to pick out relevant themes and threads from other ongoing cases.’

‘Aaron Le Marquer is genuinely outstanding. Completely unflappable. Brilliant on the law and with clients. A standout name in the market.’

‘The team are very focused on the policyholders best interests. They go the extra mile to ensure that all possible angles are considered and discussed with the client. They are highly knowledgeable and I have no hesitation in recommending them to our clients’

Key clients

London International Exhibition Centre plc


Liberty Retail


Glyndebourne Opera


Arena Racing


Work highlights


  • Acting for the London International Exhibition Centre in its Covid-19 BI test case claim on causation in ‘at the premises’ disease clauses.
  • Representing Liberty Retail in Covid-19 BI dispute over whether coverage is triggered at all under the Prevention of Access clause.
  • Representing a group of 22 UK racecourses in their Covid-19 BI claim against Liberty Mutual, Allianz and Aviva.

Wynterhill LLP

Stuart Hill and Dan Brooks lead the ‘standout’ team at Wynterhill LLP, ‘an ambitious young team with real experience in coverage matters‘. A number of team members have previously worked insurer-side, allowing for insight into a range of coverage issues. The team is particularly experienced in advising on professional indemnity matters in construction contexts.

Practice head(s):

Stuart Hill; Dan Brooks


Other key lawyers:

Roger Jones


Testimonials

‘Dan Brooks, Stuart Hill and Roger Jones all have a great passion for their area of expertise which is helping policyholders against insurers. They all have firsthand experience previously working for insurers which gives them an edge over other solicitors who don’t have that experience.’

‘Wynterhill are an ambitious young firm with real expertise in coverage matters. All of their team have come from the insurance side, having trained/qualified/practised in leading panel law firms. They are therefore the archetypal gamekeepers turned poachers.’

‘Dan Brooks is a standout. He is very measured and sensible in his approach, and does not take ‘silly’ points. That way, the points he does make are hard-hitting and he gets good results. He is well known and respected in the London insurance market, which is an accolade given that he routinely acts against insurers.’

‘Very approachable, give clear advice, and don’t try and complicate the issues.’

‘There are very few law firms who specialise in acting for the insured as opposed to insurers. Wynterhill are the standout practice specialising in this area. They have focused on recruiting staff and consultants who are leaders in their field and cover all the various aspects of insurance law.’

‘Dan Brooks stands out as without doubt one of the leading policyholder insurance lawyers in the UK with an impeccable record on insurance disputes. There is no one better to have in your corner.’

‘Roger Jones has a keen eye for detail and thinking outside the box to come up with answers that others miss.’

‘Stuart Hill is our key partner contact and has been a huge help on many things, from client disputes with insurers to internal technical training requirements and advice on our own D&O/PI queries’

Work highlights


  • Represented a cladding contractor in ad-hoc arbitration arising from “block notification” dispute under a professional indemnity policy.
  • Advised a building contractor on various public liability and professional indemnity coverage issues arising from claims related to the redevelopment of the Twickenham Stadium.
  • Represented a waste recycling business in a LCIA dispute following allegations of breach of fair presentation where 5 years of PDBI polices were avoided.

Indemnity Legal

James Morris leads the team at specialist policyholder insurance practice Indemnity Legal, a team which is praised as  ‘fantastic’ and ‘very knowledgeable and pragmatic‘. It focuses on complex, high value and high stakes work, and has notable experience dealing with Covid-19 business interuption claims. John Curran is ‘an excellent technical lawyer’, and is qualified in both England & Wales and Hong Kong.

Practice head(s):

James Morris


Other key lawyers:

John Curran; Rachel Auld; Nick Colman


Testimonials

‘Indemnity Legal has a unique practice dealing only in claims against insurers, particularly D&O insurance. They are fantastic at what they do, very knowledgeable and pragmatic.’

‘Both James Morris and John Curran are first rate insurance lawyers with a vast amount of experience acting for policyholders’

‘John Curran is excellent and provides practical and commercially sensible advice.’

‘James Morris is excellent both in terms of his technical knowledge but also his commercial approach to cases.’

‘The team as a whole, without exception are incredibly approachable and commercial. Above all they know our industry inside out.’

‘James Morris is one of the most dynamic, business-minded lawyers I’ve come across. He various experiences in-house and in private practice means he really gets insurance and how to resolve disputes.’

‘John Curran is an excellent technical lawyer and is a wonderful addition to the firm.’

‘James Morris is our principal contact and go to person. His knowledge of the insurance market is incomparable and yet he is very down to earth in his advice. He is a stand out practitioner in the field.’

Work highlights


  • Advising an action group of 25 independent schools in respect of a complex coverage dispute with their business interruption insurer (a large US insurer) arising from COVID-19 losses.
  • Advising the administrator of a large UK SIPP administrator on the pursuit of professional indemnity coverage for negligence claims of c.£80m.
  • Advising the employee of a UK listed entity on the recovery of multi-million pounds of defence costs under his employer’s D&O policy following his prosecution for fraud by the Serious Fraud Office.

Michelmores LLP

Michelmores LLP‘s insurance and reinsurance litigation team draws on the firm’s wider commercial and corporate experience to provide support to clients across a range of policy types and sectors, including professional indemnity, D&O and public liability coverage, along with marine insurance. The ‘approachable, knowledgeable’ Jonathan Kitchin leads the team across Exeter and London.

Practice head(s):

Jonathan Kitchin


Other key lawyers:

Marie-Louise King; Abigail Brown


Testimonials

‘Forward thinking, environmentally friendly, Michelmores are pushing things forward in the legal sector.’

‘Jonathan Kitchin is approachable, knowledgeable, practical and fun to work with. Commercially savvy.’

Work highlights


  • Advising clients who have suffered losses as a consequence of Covid-19, principally within the hospitality and constructions sectors. Michelmores is currently for clients with Liberty Mutual policies and with largely identical issues as those due to be heard by the Commercial Court in October 2023.
  • Advising on insurance coverage issues as part of the holistic management of business critical commercial disputes or regulatory investigations flowing from a catastrophic event.
  • Advising clients with professional indemnity or D&O coverage flowing from allegations of negligence against professionals including insolvency practitioners, financial planning firms following past business reviews and claims against directors for damages – many of whom are long standing clients or professional referrer relationships.

Wordley Partnership

The insurance for policyholders team at Wordley Partnership is co-led by Paul Wordley; Graham Denny; Alison Proctor; Costas Frangeskides; and Simon Schindler. Wordley has notable experience in international arbitration, Proctor advises on regulatory issues across a range of jurisdictions. The team is experienced in a range of complex and cross-border Covid-19 business interruption claims, and also has expertise in the aviation, energy, financial services, construction and sports sectors.

Practice head(s):

Paul Wordley; Graham Denny; Alison Proctor; Costas Frangeskides; Simon Schindler


Other key lawyers:

Joseph Leonard


Testimonials

‘This is a true boutique insurance firm, with an ability to focus on client’s needs and vast experience of handling complex litigation, particularly in insurance and reinsurance.’

‘Costas Frangeskides and Paul Wordley are both excellent and steeped in experience.’