Lawyers

Garbhan Shanks

Garbhan Shanks

Fladgate LLP, London

Work Department

Dispute Resolution

Position

Partner and Head of Insurance

Career

I have over 25 years' experience of litigation, arbitration and mediation in commercial disputes, often with international and civil fraud elements, with a particular focus in insurance and group actions.

My job is to successfully navigate clients to the end of a dispute process as efficiently and effectively as possible.

I primarily act for policyholders in the financial services, pharmaceutical, energy, retail, manufacturing, construction, utilities and transport sectors to recover insurance indemnities properly due under construction all-risks, product liability / recall, professional indemnity, property, business interruption, D&O, employers' liability, public liability, political risk / political violence / credit risk, corporate crime (1st and 3rd party) and cyber / privacy insurance policies.

I also specialise in reinsurance coverage disputes and have acted in leading cases Wasa v Lexington (House of Lords judgment concerning US pollution losses) and Aioi v Heraldglen (arising from the 9/11 World Trade Centre losses) and have recently represented reinsurers in a $500 million LCIA political risk expropriation coverage arbitration, and a $100 million political risk coverage dispute relating to the 2021 Zuma riots in South Africa.

My commercial disputes practice involves both defendant and claimant work, such as miss-selling, professional negligence and breach of contract / warranty claims, and I have an established expertise in funded claims, group actions, asset recovery and civil fraud matters.

I have acted in numerous ad hoc and institutional arbitrations, particularly those governed by the LCIA, ICC and SCC Rules, which has become an increasingly popular option for my clients, especially with enforcement to mind.

Languages

English, French

Leisure

Outside of work, I have now firmly hung up my rugby boots, but still love watching rugby and currently coach junior players. I am a passionate free-diver and spear-fisherman, fly fisherman and beekeeper. When my kids allow me time off, I also get involved in various field sports!

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