Hesketh Henry's insurance practice advises on a wide range of matters, including coverage, business interruption, cyber, professional indemnity, health and safety, and regulatory issues, and has experience working with UK and US law firms on cross-border cases. The practice is co-led by Helen Macfarlane, a litigation partner with experience in property, construction, and insurance disputes, including international cases; Christina Bryant, who has nearly 30 years’ experience of acting for clients such as public hospitals and regulatory authorities, and previously practised in London; and Melissa Russell, who joined the firm from Kennedys in 2024, drawing on past experience of practising in London, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Very personable and easy to deal with.’

  • ‘Melissa Russell, Charlotte Robertson and Alan Sherlock are all very personable and easy to deal with. Great feedback from our clients.’

  • ‘Insurance is a specialist field which the Hesketh Henry team understands brilliantly.

  • 'They are an excellent team that will obtain results for their clients. They are an excellent team that will obtain results for their clients.'
  • ‘They are extremely knowledgeable and have excellent ways to look at problems to get results.’

  • 'The company is small and niche - which allows the partners and team as a whole to specialise. Its team members are friendly and enjoy getting to know you as a person. The team is extremely experienced and knowledgeable. They run an extremely good construction seminar series during the year.'

Key clients

  • Suncorp Group New Zealand Ltd
  • Vero Insurance
  • AA Insurance
  • AIG Insurance
  • Chubb Insurance
  • Underwriting Agencies of New Zealand Ltd / Underwriting Agencies of Australia Pty Ltd
  • Charterers P & I Club
  • Dual New Zealand Ltd
  • AmTrust International
  • The New India Assurance Co Ltd
  • Ando Insurance
  • Compagnie Française D’Assurance Pour Le Commerce Extérieur (Coface)

Work highlights

Acting for Vero and its insured in a subrogated recovery action against a third party.
Representing Zespri in recovering insurance proceeds for a large loss.

Practice head

Christina Bryant; Helen Macfarlane; Melissa Russell

Other key lawyers

Charlotte Robertson; Alan Sherlock