Crown Office Chambers

Suzanne specialises in insurance, professional negligence, property damage and personal injury as well as dealing with general commercial disputes. Her insurance work involves all types of policy dispute (non-marine). Issues have included policy wording, subrogation, non-disclosure, conditions precedent and proximate cause. She handles a wide range of claims for and against professionals, particularly solicitors and barristers, construction professionals and insurance brokers. She regularly deals with high-value property damage claims arising out of fire, flood or subsidence and has particular expertise in cases involving allegations of fraud. Suzanne has extensive experience in the field of personal injury, acting for both claimants and defendants. She is frequently instructed in cases of the utmost severity, involving brain damage or severe spinal injury, and in cases involving difficult causation issues, such as the occurrence of epilepsy, stroke, psychiatric injury or pain disorder. Cases include: Joyce v O’Brien [2014] 1 WLR 70; [2012] PIQR P18 (QBD) – application of the doctrine of ex turpi causa in cases of joint criminal enterprise; Lindesay v Lamb & Tatner [2008] EWCA Civ 1143 – scope of the duty of care owed by drivers involved in a multiple vehicle pile up; Shinedean Ltd v Alldown Demolition Ltd [2006] 1 WLR 2696 (CA); [2005] EWHC 2391 (TCC) – meaning and operation of claims co-operation conditions; England v Guardian Insurance [2000] Lloyd’s Rep IR 404 – policy claim following subsidence of property involving issues of subrogation and the extent of insurers’ rights over recoveries.

Called 1995, Gray’s Inn; Recorder 2009.

COMBAR; LCLCBA; PNBA; TECBAR; PIBA.

Kent College, Canterbury; Magdalen College, Oxford (1994 MA Hons).