Herbert Smith Freehills LLP

Insurance & Professional Risks

Partner and global practice area lead for Insurance Disputes

Sarah advises clients on the biggest and most complex insurance matters with a focus on construction, business interruption, credit and political risk and warranty and indemnity insurance claims. She is also well known for her work advising professionals in relation to negligence claims arising from these practice areas.

Sarah was one of the lead partners in the successful test case brought by the FCA and decided in the Supreme Court in 2021 concerning COVID-19 business interruption claims. She continues to assist clients with all types of claim arising from the pandemic. Many of her construction cases are technically complex, and she routinely advises on claims concerning the range of DE and LEG clauses in construction policies. She has also acted in many claims concerning political risk, such as expropriation and selective discrimination, and advises on claims and wordings in relation to credit risk policies. Warranty and indemnity insurance claims and tax liability claims also form an increasing part of her practice and she has excellent cross-over expertise into M&A work.

She also has experience in relation to D&O (including in relation to class actions) and public liability, professional liability and property policies. Clients also call on her expertise in relation to non-contentious aspects of insurance, including risk allocation under contracts, M&A insurance issues and policy wordings.

Prior to joining Herbert Smith Freehills in 2005, Sarah practised as a barrister at Crown Office Chambers from 1999–2005. She has appeared in a range of tribunals including the QBD, TCC and Court of Appeal and retains full rights of audience. She is also an experienced mediation advocate.