Fenchurch Law has deep sector knowledge and experience, and specialises exclusively in representing policyholders in their insurance disputes and working collaboratively with insurers for the benefit of its clients. The practice is bolstered by its large team of specialist lawyers, including David Pryce, who spearheads the team and specialises in handling complex and high-value insurance coverage disputes, particularly those related to construction projects, with much of his work involving disputes arising under construction all-risks. Joanna Grant leads the construction and property risks team, advising on related disputes, including under contractors’ all risk, commercial property and building defect guarantee policies. Jonathan Corman leads the financial and professional risks practice, while Amy Lacey advises on coverage under a wide range of first-party and liability insurances.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP continues to act on some of the biggest insurance cases currently affecting the market, often with a cross-jurisdictional element, speaking to its strengths and capabilities. Alexander Oddy heads the team and is particularly focused on the energy and natural resources sector, with regular mandates for financial institutions and corporates in commercial disputes. Paul Lewis regularly acts on high-profile matters with particular expertise in professional negligence matters, while Sarah McNally has significant expertise in the political risks field, transactional insurance and particularly in warranty and indemnity insurance. Greig Anderson advises on cyber, directors and officers, professional indemnity and crime insurance policies, often working with financial institutions. Antonia Pegden advises on complex and high-value claims across a range of sectors with recent significant work, including co-leading with Fiona Treanor on the Aercap insurance matter regarding the loss of aircraft and engines following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Reed Smith LLP has extensive in-depth experience and skill across the entire spectrum of insurance work, and the team is often sought out for some of the most complex and high-value matters within the market. The team is particularly adept at handling matters that require cross-disciplinary skills. Peter Hardy leads the team with extensive experience across a full spectrum of insurance coverage claims and disputes, with a particular focus on multi-jurisdictional issues. Mark Pring’s practice covers major cross-border litigation, arbitrations and mediations for clients in a range of sectors, with a particular focus on handling disputed claims and providing commercial advice on risk management issues. Margaret Campbell represents an array of clients in highly complex disputes including directors’ and officers’ liability, energy risks and marine cargo insurance. Laura-May Scott frequently advises policyholders in relation to major disputes, and routinely advises large corporates on their insurance arrangements.

A&O Shearman acts for policyholders in a range of insurance disputes, including matters relating to business interruption claims resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. It has extensive experience representing companies in disputes regarding international insurance, including involving the Lloyd’s market and the Bermuda market. Calum Burnett and Arnondo Chakrabarti co-head the London litigation department. The team is bolstered by its deep bench of specialist insurance litigators, including Russell Butland, who has particular experience working on claims involving property damage and business interruption, crime, professional indemnity, and directors and officers. Charlie Weston-Simons acts on disputes arising from major classes of commercial insurance with recent experience on issues arising from Covid-19, Grenfell, ransomware, and private M&A transactions.

Clifford Chance LLP advises policyholders on a range of high-value, cross-border and complex insurance claims and disputes. The ‘experienced’ team regularly works with banks, major corporates, aircraft leasing companies and private equity firms, particularly within the oil and gas, energy and construction sectors. The team is headed by the ‘outstanding’ Philip Hill, who has extensive experience on a range of claims, including COVID-19-related business interruption claims and aviation claims. Christopher Ingham is known for his work on business interruption, liability, political risk and credit insurance, particularly within the energy sector. Balijit Rai is experienced in advising on policy wordings and coverage issues, including directors and officers, warranty and indemnity and political risk, with a current focus on aircraft litigation.

Fladgate LLP’s team advise across the insurance spectrum in a range of sectors, including pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, energy, and financial services. The team has particular strengths in COVID-19 business interruption claims as well as advising on construction all-risks, professional indemnity, credit risk and more. The head of the team, Garbhan Shanks, is known for his expertise in cyber, political risk, Bermuda form, and business interruption disputes. David Weare specialises in insurance disputes within the construction and engineering sectors. Naomi Hall provides coverage advice on a wide range of issues affecting various policies, including liability policies, property, construction all-risks and warranty and indemnity. Harriet Chopra is known for representing US policyholders in product liability disputes and Bermuda Form arbitrations.

HFW is an ‘experienced and well-led firm’ that takes a sector-based approach, drawing on its deep industry knowledge within the energy, power and mining sectors to provide advice in related insurance disputes of a complex and international nature. The firm has an expanding practice in Latin America, bolstering its international abilities. The team is co-headed by Jonathan Bruce and Nigel Wick. Bruce specialises in the energy, property and marine insurance sectors, advising on a range of work. Wick handles a wide range of insurance matters, including recent significant work relating to COVID-19, natural disasters and various major onshore and offshore energy losses.

K&L Gates LLP’s ‘highly specialist and extremely knowledgeable’ practice maintains a strong reputation for advising policyholders on a broad range of matters. The team has extensive international capabilities, particularly in Europe, the Middle East, the US and Australia. It’s particularly noted for its strength in its resolution of contentious coverage disputes. Sarah Turpin heads the team, with significant experience in a range of disputes including professional liability, credit risk, and business interruption. Matthew Smith has significant experience in insurance disputes involving the construction and oil and gas industries, while Ian Meredith is involved in Bermuda seated coverage arbitrations, with many arising under the Bermuda form.

Mishcon de Reya LLP continues to attract high-profile instructions in business interruption claims alongside a range of other insurance matters such as professional liability, construction and power generation losses and political risk. The team is often sought out by corporates to advise on business-critical insurance claims. Richard Leedham leads the practice, acting predominantly for corporate policyholders across a range of industries. Ralph Fearnhead is undertaking extensive international work, which has included political risk, property damage and business interruption claims. Chris Neilson is experienced in advising businesses on construction, property, and business interruption matters, amongst others. Sophie Fairclough acts for a range of clients, including corporate and high-net-worth individuals, on a variety of coverage disputes.

Stewarts Law LLP’s litigation-only policyholder disputes practice focuses solely on high-value and complex coverage disputes for policyholders, combining ‘true deep technical expertise and commercial understanding’ to achieve its reputation as heavyweight policyholder advocates, particularly in the COVID-19-related business interruption sphere. The practice is bolstered by its experienced and dedicated team of insurance coverage experts led by ‘outstanding’ Aaron Le Marquer, who, alongside extensive COVID-19-related business interruption work, is experienced in all lines of commercial insurance, with a particular focus on high-value and complex disputes, often with a cross-border element. Chloe Derrick has a wealth of experience in a broad range of insurance coverage disputes, with strong multi-jurisdiction experience. The practice benefits from the recent promotion of James Breese to partner, who has acted on a number of business interruption cases and significant political risk insurance disputes.

Addleshaw Goddard‘s experienced and highly specialist team is able to advise on all aspects of insurance coverage and related disputes. The team has particular aptitude in international disputes, bolstered by its strong links to its US team. The team is led by Richard Wise, who has experience with Bermuda Form and other cross-border disputes. Victoria Pool acts in disputes primarily involving directors and officers, warranty and indemnity, trade credit, professional indemnity, and all-risks cover. Natasha Winter acts on a full range of complex, high-value disputes, including insurance claims supported by urgent injunctive relief. Laura Payne has extensive experience acting for major national and multinational policyholders in arbitration and court proceedings, particularly in international Bermuda Form arbitration.

Burges Salmon LLP has extensive experience acting for insurers, bolstering its understanding of the sector and related disputes, to the benefit of its policyholder clients. The team leverages its firm-wide expertise in the construction, infrastructure, and financial service sectors to provide expertise in insurance disputes in these sectors. The team is headed by Matthew Kaltsas-Walker, based in Bristol and London, who has particular expertise in construction insurance, financial services-related disputes, and public liability claims.

Edwin Coe LLP advises on a range of insurance matters, with a recent focus on COVID-19-related business interruption claims and advising several policyholder groups regarding the FCA test case. The team is led by Roger Franklin, who acts on a variety of non-marine, commercial insurance matters including professional negligence, directors and officers, shareholder claims and general liability and coverage disputes, as well as being at the forefront of business interruption claims. Nicola Maher acts across numerous sectors with particular expertise in relation to substantial property damage and business interruption claims arising from fire, flooding, design defects, cyber losses and COVID-19.

Wordley Partnership continues to establish itself, operating at the forefront of some of the most significant matters affecting the insurance market, including a number of COVID-19 business interruption matters. The team is bolstered by its ability to handle significant cross-border mandates. The team is jointly led by Paul Wordley, Graham Denny, Alison Proctor, Costas Frangeskides and Simon Schindler, who all have extensive experience and expertise across a number of sectors covering a range of insurance advisory work and disputes.

Wynterhill LLP is recognised for its work in the construction and financial sectors, handling complex insurance coverage disputes, particularly in professional indemnity, property, and business interruption claims. The team has developed a strong practice in professional indemnity, especially for architects, engineers, and design and build contractors, while also covering contractors all risks, public liability, and product liability. Disputes through arbitration and expert determination are also key workstreams. The team is co-led by Daniel Brooks and Daniel Brooks. Hill, a founding partner, is noted for his work in financial institutions and directors & officers (FI/D&O) claims. Brooks specialises in professional indemnity and property damage, with a focus on construction-related disputes.

Keystone Law’s insurance policyholder team is recognised for its expertise in business interruption claims, particularly those linked to COVID-19. The practice is strengthened by the presence of seasoned insurance specialists Jane Harte-Lovelace and Marie-Claire Di Mambro. Harte-Lovelace is noted for her comprehensive insurance knowledge, particularly in representing smaller companies and individuals in complex coverage disputes and quantum arguments. Di Mambro, drawing on her extensive experience representing insurers, offers a unique advantage to clients and is highly regarded for her work on business interruption claims.

Michelmores LLP has extensive experience across different policy types and sectors. With a strong corporate and commercial client base, the team’s work often covers professional indemnity, directors and officers coverage, and public liability coverage disputes, as well as COVID-19 business interruption claims. The team is led by Jonathan Kitchin, who has particular expertise in the financial sector and is strong on matters with international aspects.