Simmons & Simmons

Insurance & Construction

Ingrid has worked continuously with reinsurers, insurers and their insureds (corporate entities and professionals in a broad range of jurisdictions) for over 30 years.

She has built up a wealth of experience advising on complex, often sensitive and high-value disputes involving reinsurance contracts (both facultative and treaty); insurance contracts including Excess of Loss and Global/Master programs; Bermuda form policies covering product liability and property risks; and intra-market disputes involving issues of allocation, attachment and aggregation of claims across both occurrence and claims made wordings.

Ingrid has a deep understanding of insurance and its importance in managing risk and facilitating global business. An accomplished communicator and seasoned litigator, Ingrid has dealt with all forms of dispute resolution including international arbitration, mediation and proceedings in a range of courts and jurisdictions. Collaborative by nature, Ingrid is experienced in working with and leading teams comprising of clients, barristers, expert witnesses and other professionals to achieve best possible outcomes.

Ranked repeatedly in the legal directories for her skills in handling (i)Contentious Insurance/Reinsurance matters, (ii) Product Liability disputes and (iii) sensitive Professional Indemnity claims, Ingrid’s experience includes advising on all aspects of (re)insurance contracts (Bermuda form language, aggregation clauses, exclusion clauses, non-disclosure/misrepresentation pre-inception and on renewal, and the impact of mass toxic tort claims across subscription market insurers participating on various layers across consecutive years); advising on product recalls (particularly those concerning the food & drink, automotive and agrochemicals sectors); and representing off-shore professionals in trustee disputes (involving dishonest assistance allegations).

Recent examples of Ingrid’s work include:

Excess liability and Reinsurance/Retrocession claims arising out of product liability litigation concerning various agrochemicals in the United States, France and Israel. Advising on reinsurance claims arising out of mass lead paint litigation in the United States. Advising on facultative reinsurance claims brought by a local government mutual insurer in New Zealand. Advising on liabilities exceeding USD1billion arising from a construction dispute in Latin America , including complex insolvency considerations. Advising Product Recall and Liability insurers in respect of first party and third party claims concerning contaminated food and drink , working with subject matter experts (scientists and medics) to consider potential for personal injury following consumption/use. Advising on a range of claims involving allegedly defective building materials with liabilities quantified in excess of £300million. Advising in relation to toxic heavy metals multi-district litigation in the United States concerning baby foods. Advising in relation to multi-district litigation concerning breathing devices and coordinating multi-party settlement meetings involving numerous parties. Advising trade credit insurers in respect of a potentially fraudulent claim with quantum in excess of $400M.

Ingrid has mentored many colleagues in recent years and is committed to nurturing talented individuals, building diverse and high-performing teams and collaborating with clients to develop strong relationships based on mutual trust and respect.