Insurance

Our experienced insurance lawyers deliver specialist advice on aviation insurance, combining technical expertise with commercial insight. We handle coverage disputes, liability claims, and complex issues. By understanding aviation’s unique risks and regulatory demands, we provide solutions that safeguard clients’ interests and keep operations secure. 

• Acted for international and domestic airlines, general aviation aircraft owners and operators, aircraft manufacturers, ground handlers, general sales agents, aviation trade associations, aircraft engine maintenance businesses, travel agents, aircraft spares providers, aviation (re)insurers and brokers, and experience in relation to both fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft.   
• Acted for Sabena and its insurers against Airbus and Messier Dowty in relation to a heavy landing at Brussels airport in which the main landing gear failed to open. Proceedings brought in Paris. Claim value US$70 million.    
• Acted for Royal Jordanian Falcons’ insurers in relation to claims by dependants of deceased persons arising from the crash of an aircraft at an airshow in Ostende, Belgium, in 1997.    
• Acted for Virgin Atlantic Airways and its insurers in relation to a product liability claim arising from a landing gear failure for an Airbus A340 whilst landing at Heathrow Airport in 1998.    
• Acted for Royal Jordanian Airlines’ insurers in respect of passenger claims arising from the detonation of a grenade following a hijacking shortly after having departed from Amman, Jordan, in 2000.    
• Acted for the reinsurers of Makalu Air Private airline in respect of coverage issues pertaining to the accident at Simikot Airport, Nepal, in 2010.    
• Acted for the reinsurers of Tara Air in respect of coverage issues pertaining to the accident of a Twin Otter aircraft at Lamidanda Airport, Nepal, in 2010.    
• Acted for the reinsurers of Air Kasthamandap in respect of coverage issues pertaining to the accident at Talcha Airport, Nepal, in 2011.    
• Acted for a Middle Eastern cargo airline against its insurers and broker arising from damage caused to two CF6 engines whilst being transported for maintenance in 2018. Claim against insurer under the policy and the broker for negligence in failing to ensure appropriate cover.    
• Acted for families and aviation insurers in more than 1,000 mediations (USA/UK/EU/Asia/Australia) since 1992.   
• Resolved claims for aviation insurers arising from the 9/11 2001 US Terrorist Attacks in New York and Washington DC.    
• Advised on international acquisition of American Aviation Underwriters by Global Aerospace Underwriting Managers.    
• Acted for families and aviation insurers in more than 1,000 mediations in the following jurisdictions (USA/UK/EU/Asia/Australia).    
• Acted for parties in relation to disputes relating to aircraft leasing, charter, maintenance (Forms 1), operating, general sales agent, airport conditions of use, in-flight entertainment systems, and sale and purchase agreements, as well as professional negligence claims involving brokers, maintenance companies and insolvency practitioners.    

Our insurance experts advise on building guarantee insurance with a focus on resolving complex technical disputes efficiently. We act for lessees and property owners in multi-million-pound claims under building guarantee policies, ensuring coverage is upheld and challenging insurers on liability and compliance issues.  

• Acted for a large group of lessees in successfully bringing a multi-million-pound claim under a building guarantee insurance policy involving highly technical construction issues.  

Our expert lawyers advise on catastrophic injury claims under insurance policies. We advise on high-value, complex disputes, ensuring robust representation for insurers and policyholders in sensitive, high-stakes cases. 

• Defended a manufacturer of recycling equipment in a catastrophic injury claim.   
• Acted for numerous ex-service personnel in the security business in bringing claims for permanent total disablement pursuant to group personal accident policies.   
• Advised insurers and brokers on potential product liability claims and/or medical negligence claims arising from personal injury resulting from pelvic mesh and textured breast implants.   
• Use of all forms of ADR for maximum severity claims including settlement for circa £30m. 

Our lawyers advise on complex Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance matters, including coverage disputes, exclusions, and compliance issues. We assist directors, officers, and insurers with claims arising from allegations of breach of duty, misfeasance, and regulatory investigations. Our expertise ensures robust protection for leadership teams in high-stakes situations. 

• Acted for an Isle of Man-based trust and corporate services provider in a complex multi-million-pound coverage dispute under their D&O and PI covers. The dispute was settled favourably via negotiation, followed by a successful negligence claim against their brokers.   
• Advised director of Guernsey financial institution on claims under D&O and PI policies and related claims for misconduct and breach of duty and obtained coverage previously denied.   
• Advised a director of a company involved in unfair prejudice proceedings. D&O insurers denied coverage. Arbitration proceedings were commenced and were successful with coverage allowed. The insurers’ S69 application was successfully opposed. There have been ongoing disputes with insurers as to the quantum of the defence costs payable.   
• Advised London Market and US reinsurers on high-profile and complex D&O coverage issues in Brazil in connection with a class action brought in the US and an insured v insured claim in Brazil.   
• Advised on the successful resolution of claims for psychiatric loss pursued through the Employment Tribunal, bringing together the employer, D&O insurers and liability insurers.   

Our experienced insurance lawyers advise on employer’s liability insurance disputes, including claims for workplace injuries, stress, bullying, and harassment. We act for insurers and policyholders in complex, sensitive cases, ensuring clarity on coverage and compliance. 

• Struck out on a claim against a local authority where it was alleged a social services carer had knocked an elderly service user to the ground, causing injury.   
• Successfully defended at trial a local authority social services department where a social worker was assaulted in a respite centre by a service user who had learning difficulties.   
• Successfully defended at trial a claim under the Manual Handling (Operations) Regulations 1992 by a refuse worker who was required to lift a large load on to a refuse truck. The case was of importance to the Defendant as a large number of allegedly unmeritorious claims had been brought by operatives at this particular depot and the Council was keen to maintain a robust stance to these claims.    
• Strategic advice to employers on the management of workforce sick absences and long-term sick leave issues.   
• Drafted a combined insurance policy aimed at self-employed surgeons, encompassing clinical negligence indemnity, legal expenses insurance, public liability cover and cyber cover.   
• Drafted a combined insurance policy aimed at pharmacists, encompassing clinical negligence indemnity, public liability, criminal and professional discipline proceedings legal expenses cover and employment disputes.    
• Mason v Satelcom Ltd & London Borough of Redbridge & others [2007] EWHC 2540: successful defence of claim looking at the ambit of statutory duty upon non-employers and the extent of their “control” under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957.   

Our lawyers advise on complex energy-related insurance matters, including coverage disputes and compliance issues for high-value projects. We assist insurers, reinsurers, and energy companies with claims arising from property damage, business interruption, and operational risks.  

• Advised a global reinsurer on offshore energy claims relating to drilling operations off the coast of Nigeria.   
• Advised a major global reinsurer on issues arising under a facultative retrocession contract and recovery of an offshore energy claim made thereunder.   
• Advised a European energy group on insurance policy terms relevant to an insurance claim arising from damage sustained at a power plant.   
• Advised on more than 30 trades for a well-known investment banking company in the insurance-linked securities sector, for all risk categories including mortality, longevity, catastrophe and energy sectors.   
• Represented London reinsurers in multiple claims in Argentina, including class actions and major energy losses.   
• Represented London market and European insurers on power plant disputes involving turbine failures and fires in West Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America.    
• Advised on various Caribbean claims involving failed turbines and coverage under operational policies for damage and business interruption claims, including issues of applicability of foreign law and competing jurisdictional provisions, c. US$50m in value.    
• Advised reinsurers under a CAR/EAR cover in relation to a series of losses to an extension of an existing oil refinery which included a water canal diversion project forming part of preparatory works in Colombia.    
• Advised US and Canadian insurers in relation to coverage issues under an all risk policy arising out of physical damage to a drilling rig owned by a Canadian corporation during operations in Brazil.    
• Advised reinsurers under an EAR cover including Delay in Startup in relation to damage to an electrical generator which was to be used in a project for the conversion of two existing gas turbines in Bolivia.    
• Advised reinsurers under a CAR cover in respect of damage due to water leakage to a sulphur combustion furnace boiler in a sulphuric acid plant in Chile. 

Our experienced insurance lawyers advise on insurance disputes involving allegations of fraud, ensuring clarity on coverage and compliance. We act for insurers and policyholders in complex, high-stakes cases, challenging fraudulent claims and defending clients against unfounded accusations.  

• Defended a suspected fraudulent claim where the Claimant alleged he had slipped due to residue left by cleaners performing their cleaning duties. The claim was defended after liability had been admitted at the pre-litigation stage. This was successfully withdrawn once proceedings were issued and the claim successfully defended at trial.   
• Struck out a suspected fraudulent claim brought by a claimant who tripped on a highway defect.    
• Advised a director and shareholder of a reinsurance consultancy company in relation to his claims against his co-director/shareholder in relation to a claim pertaining to allegations of breach of fiduciary duty and fraudulent conduct.   
• Advised on insurers’ obligations and underlying litigation concerning a major metals fraud scandal involving trader global freezing orders over alleged fraudster property following discoveries that its related companies were selling inferior metals as top-grade nickel.   
• Acted in a £2.4m claim against accountants following an audit that failed to report fraud by a managing director.   
• Acted in a £650,000 claim against auditors who failed to discover theft and cheque fraud committed by a dishonest accounts clerk.  

Our lawyers advise on health and safety matters within insurance law, focusing on reducing accident risks and ensuring compliance. We assist clients with policy interpretation, coverage disputes, and claims arising from workplace incidents.  

• Drafting and reviewing health and safety policies and risk assessments.   
• Acted in a £1m claim against health & safety consultants following the mortality of a minor at prestigious office premises.   
• Defended the manufacturer of a lift control valve following a fatal accident.   
• Defended manufacturers of playground equipment in claims arising from playground accidents.    
• Advised worldwide insurers in connection with a multiple-fatality accident at a Barrick Gold Corporation mine in Chile in 2000.   

Our specialist insurance lawyers advise on household insurance disputes, ensuring clarity on coverage and compliance. We assist policyholders and insurers with claims arising from property damage, fire, and defective works, challenging denials and exclusions where necessary. Our technical expertise and commercial insight deliver robust outcomes for clients facing complex household insurance issues. 

• Acted for homeowners in a landslip claim causing partial house collapse. After complex negotiations with multiple insurers and the local council, a satisfactory settlement was reached, and the home was reinstated.   
• Acted for joint landlords under a landlords’ insurance policy in relation to a large fire claim on their rental property. The insurer sought to avoid the policy due to alleged non-disclosure regarding timber framing, but a full reversal of that decision was secured following complex technical argument.   
• Acting for an individual policyholder regarding a substantial water damage claim under their home insurance policy following a burst water pipe. The insurer argued there had been breaches of several unoccupancy conditions but backed down following our intervention.   
• Acted for a homeowner on a complex subsidence insurance claim successfully concluded via the Financial Ombudsman Service.   
• Acted for a global loss adjusting company and a multinational insurer advising on a range of claims including policy coverage, product liability, property damage and subrogated recoveries. 

Our expert team advise on life insurance matters, ensuring clarity on coverage, exclusions, and compliance. We assist insurers, trustees, and beneficiaries with policy interpretation, claims management, and disputes over notification or disclosure requirements. 

• Advised insurers on payment of monies following the death of the insured, to include policy issues relating to timing of disclosure of medical condition and whether a Free Cover Limit should be paid.   
• Advised insurers on whether a senior individual is a “Key-Person” and issues of ambiguity relating to when the policy could be triggered.    
• Advised a life insurance company on potential exposure under a contractual indemnity clause in a sale and purchase agreement relating to disposal of a Canadian life insurance company. 

Our expert lawyers advise on marine insurance matters, ensuring clarity on coverage, exclusions, and compliance. We assist shipowners, insurers, and brokers with disputes arising from cargo damage, vessel loss, and liability claims.  

• Advised on an insurance claim when a marina damaged a yacht during lifting.   
• Acted for a yacht owner on a hull damage claim following a grounding incident under a yacht hull & property insurance policy. The insurer alleged late notification and other breaches but backed down and agreed to pay the claim.   
• Garnat Trading & Shipping (Singapore) v Baominh Insurance – Court of Appeal decision on whether marine insurance policy was void for material non-disclosure and whether the implied warranty of seaworthiness was breached (representing Baominh Insurance).   

Our shipping and trade insurance lawyers provide expert advice on complex coverage issues, liability disputes, and compliance challenges. We assist shipowners, brokers, and insurers with claims arising from cargo damage, vessel loss, and sanctions-related risks, to safeguard commercial interests across global maritime and trading operations. 

• Advised insurers under shipbuilding contracts connection with force majeure events in Bulgaria.   
• Represented numerous shipowners and their insurers in charter party disputes.   
• Advised on a complex sanction, insurance, shipping, and commodities trading matter concerning the arrest of a vessel for sanctions-related issues.   
• Advised P&I club members on the ability to call at Iranian ports to load crude oil cargoes in light of existing UN and EU sanctions.   

Our motor insurance lawyers advise on motor insurance disputes, including complex claims involving first-party and third-party liabilities. We assist policyholders and insurers in challenging denials based on alleged breaches of policy conditions, ensuring clarity on coverage and compliance.  

• Advised a major European insurance group on contractual, regulatory and strategic issues relating to an extended warranty motor insurance programme.   
• Defended a vehicle manufacturer in a claim arising from fire damage to a property.   
• Advised reinsurers on TPL claims under a product liability programme for engineering fleet vehicles, with parallel proceedings in the UK and Switzerland, involving English, Swiss, German and US law issues.

Our experienced team advise on insurance disputes involving product liability, assisting insurers and policyholders with coverage issues, exclusions, and complex claims arising from defective products, property damage, and personal injury.  

• Successfully obtained a discontinuance on a product liability claim involving allegedly defective bicycle brakes on behalf of a UK retailer and its Taiwanese supplier/insurers.    
• Defended a £2m product liability claim on behalf of a fertiliser mixing company following loss of crops from 20 farms in the UK due to boron toxicity in compost.    
• Defended manufacturers of playground equipment in claims arising from playground accidents.    
• Advised a major food ingredients supplier on a potential claims and regulatory matters arising out of a food recall.   
• Defended a manufacturer of high-intensity discharge bulbs in a claim arising from fire damage to a property.    
• Advised reinsurers on TPL claims under a product liability programme for engineering fleet vehicles, with parallel proceedings in the UK and Switzerland.   
• Acted for a fertiliser manufacturer and its insurer in defending a claim for over £2m compensation from a compost manufacturer following damage to strawberry crops affecting 20 farms.   
• Successfully facilitated recoveries from a Chinese manufacturer and their insurers on behalf of a large builder’s merchant following property damage to new-build houses caused by defective stopcocks.   
• Acted for one of the UK’s leading home and general merchandise retailers in property damage-related multi-party product liability claims and recoveries.   
• Advised insurers and brokers on potential product liability claims and/or medical negligence claims arising from personal injury resulting from pelvic mesh and textured breast implants.    
• Acted for a medical device supplier and their insurers defending group litigation involving hundreds of product liability claims resulting from personal injury caused by PIP breast implants.    
• Provided advice and representation in inquest arising from death during clinical trial.    
• Acted for Virgin Atlantic Airways and its insurers in relation to a product liability claim arising from a landing gear failure for an Airbus A340 whilst landing at Heathrow Airport in 1998.   
• Represented London market and European reinsurers in proceedings in Turkey, both in property/engineering disputes involving the application of sub-limits and first-loss reinsurance arguments, and in product liability disputes involving defective building materials allegations and arguments on financial law and efficacy exclusions.   
• Represented various excess insurers in a coverage dispute related to the withdrawal of metal-on-metal hip implants, and monitoring of underlying tort litigation in various US and European jurisdictions to advise insurers on potential exposure.   
• Advised excess insurers in coverage dispute related to the withdrawal of allegedly defective knee implants.    

Our property insurance lawyers advise on property insurance disputes, including claims for fire damage, business interruption, and defective works. We assist policyholders and insurers with complex coverage issues, exclusions, and liability challenges.  

• Acted for an industrial gas supplier in negotiating the settlement of a substantial property insurance damage claim following an explosion at their premises.   
• Acted for joint landlords under a landlords’ insurance policy in relation to a large fire claim on their rental property. The insurer sought to avoid the policy due to alleged non-disclosure regarding timber framing, but a full reversal of that decision was secured following complex technical argument.   
• Advised property owner on very large insurance claim following fire and the mismanagement of the rebuild by insurers’ appointed loss adjusters, and recovered a sum considerably in excess of policy limit.   
• Acted for a global loss adjusting company and a multinational insurer advising on a range of claims including policy coverage, product liability, property damage and subrogated recoveries.   
• Successfully facilitated recoveries from a Chinese manufacturer and their insurers on behalf of a large builder’s merchant following property damage to new-build houses caused by defective stopcocks.   
• Defended a vehicle manufacturer in a claim arising from fire damage to a property.   
• Advised reinsurer of worldwide property catastrophe risks on terms of collateralised reinsurance contract exposed to major earthquake losses.   
• Represented a mining group in relation to the recovery of a substantial property damage and business interruption claim arising from the collapse of an open pit at a Zambian copper mine.   
• Advised property owner on very large insurance claim following fire and the mismanagement of the rebuild by insurers’ appointed loss adjusters, and recovered a sum considerably in excess of policy limit.   
• Advised major property manager on coverage issues arising from leakage in shopping centre.   
• Advising insured in claim against insurers for defective works to his property which had led to significant damp issues. Following mediation this was resolved with insurers paying a multiple of the limit of insurance.   
• Advised on a major reinsurance dispute involving a mining operation disrupted due to flooding with multiple claims following property damage and business interruption, as well as on issues of recoverability of expenses and alleged obligations of reinsurers to indemnify non-contractual and other punitive losses, c. £300m in value.   
• Acted in a £3m claim against structural engineers following the demolition of property after a gas explosion and fire.

Our experienced team advise on professional indemnity insurance disputes, including coverage issues, exclusions, and compliance challenges. We assist professionals, businesses, and insurers with claims arising from negligence, misrepresentation, and regulatory investigations.  

• Acted for a wealth management company in relation to a professional indemnity insurance policy dispute concerning UCIS sales claims. The multi-million-pound claim was successfully settled at a tripartite mediation.   
• Represented an international bank in a dispute concerning the recovery of a bankers’ professional indemnity claim originating from a bond offering in New York.   
• Represented a law firm on multiple insurance coverage disputes, arbitrations and mediations with different insurers in respect of hundreds of claims by investors in failed development schemes valued at between £50m and £150m.   
• Advised insurers on investigations by the Law Society relating to professional obligations and duties when undertaking relevant Know Your Client checks.   
• Advised on coverage issues including doctors and dentists refused indemnity by their MDOs or insurers.   
• Advised a dental clinic on the non-delegable duty of care to patients for independent contractor dentists.    
• Advised an insurer on costs following the settlement of group litigation involving almost 100 patients.    
• Drafted a combined insurance policy aimed at pharmacists, encompassing clinical negligence indemnity, public liability, criminal and professional discipline proceedings legal expenses cover and employment disputes.   
• Acted in a £2.4m claim against accountants following an audit that failed to report fraud by a managing director.   
• Acted in a £2.1m claim against insurance brokers following a hotel fire and the declining of insurance cover.    
• Acted in a £10.4m claim against project managers following the redevelopment of an exclusive country house hotel.    
• Acted in a £3m claim against structural engineers following the demolition of property after a gas explosion and fire.    
• Acted in a £1.5m claim against financial advisers, solicitors and accountants in relation to erroneous pension advice about the Lifetime Allowance.    
• Acted in a £1.85m claim against conveyancing solicitors where legal difficulties arose following the purchase of development land.    
• Acted in a £50,000 claim against insurance brokers who failed to disclose material information about the policyholder’s commercial operations.    
• Acted in a £10.5m professional negligence claim against accountants and solicitors in connection with the loss of tax relief available on an investment made under the Enterprise Investment Scheme.    
• Acted in a £650,000 professional negligence claim against insurance brokers arising from the misrepresentation of material facts about commercial laundry premises damaged by fire.    
• Acted in a £250,000 professional negligence claim against a financial adviser (in administration) and its professional indemnity insurers under the Third Parties (Rights against Insurers) Act 2010, in connection with erroneous pension investment advice.    

Our insurance specialists advise on complex reinsurance matters, including coverage disputes, compliance issues, and multi-jurisdictional claims. We assist reinsurers and insurers with treaty and facultative arrangements, aggregation questions, and liability challenges. Our technical expertise and global market insight ensure robust protection for clients facing high-value, cross-border reinsurance disputes. 

• Advised a reinsurer of worldwide property catastrophe risks on terms of collateralised reinsurance contract exposed to major earthquake losses.    
• Advised a global reinsurer on offshore energy claims relating to drilling operations off the coast of Nigeria.    
• Represented reinsurers in a multimillion-dollar coverage arbitration relating to business interruption losses caused by the Covid-19 lockdown.   
• Advised an offshore reinsurance company on various reinsurance coverage matters, relating to whether business interruption insurance claims arising from the COVID-19 pandemic can be aggregated as a single reinsurance claim   
• Advised major international insurance group on issues relating to the recoverability of a reinsurance claim arising from damage sustained to equipment at a project site for the construction of a hydro-electric dam in Ecuador.    
• Successfully represented a German reinsurance company in the recovery of reinsurance claims paid by mistake (with recovery achieved without need for proceedings).   
• Advised a major European insurance and reinsurance company on the terms and conditions of an intra-group quota share reinsurance agreement and set-off rights in the event of the insolvency of the reinsured, for the purposes of meeting regulatory requirements.    
• Represented a French reinsurance company in the defence of claims derived from the Cuban sugar trade and the gas transportation sector in Argentina.    
• Successfully defended a German reinsurance company in arbitration proceedings relating to a pharmaceutical liability claim presented under excess of loss reinsurance contract.    
• Advised and provided professional training workshops across Europe to major insurers and reinsurers on the various political violence/societal risk wordings and war and terrorism exclusions, including on the operation and efficacy of riots, strikes and malicious damage sub-limit.   
• Advised reinsurers under an EAR cover including Delay in Start-up in relation to damage to an electrical generator which was to be used in a project for the conversion of two existing gas turbines in Bolivia.   
• Successfully acted for Lloyd’s names’ agency in an arbitration that concerned denial of cover on whole account excess of loss reinsurance policy.   

Our lawyers advise on insurance matters relating to sports, including coverage disputes, liability claims, and injury-related issues. We assist insurers, clubs, and individuals with complex claims arising from accidents, occupational disease, and catastrophic injuries.  

• Acted for various sports clubs and their insurers in defending County Court Equality Act claims.   
• Advising an insurer on medical issues relating to the management of claims from international football, rugby and cricket players.   
• Acted for a golf club in bringing a claim following damage to its course caused by an escape of animals from a neighbouring farm. 

Our insurance lawyers advise on travel insurance issues, assisting policyholders and insurers with claims arising from medical emergencies, cancellations, and complex liability issues, such as high-value disputes over exclusion clauses.

• Acted for a high-profile individual in a substantial travel insurance dispute in which the insurer alleged that an exclusion clause was engaged entitling them to decline the claim. The insurer backed down and agreed to pay the claim in full.   
• Acted for international and domestic airlines, general aviation aircraft owners and operators, aircraft manufacturers, ground handlers, general sales agents, aviation trade associations, aircraft engine maintenance businesses, travel agents, aircraft spares providers, aviation (re)insurers and brokers, and experience in relation to both fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft.   
• Advised a major luxury hotel chain on earthquake losses and recoveries under local and global policies and issues under its DIL/DIC multinational programme.