2 Temple Gardens

ADR, Commercial Dispute Resolution, Insurance & Reinsurance, Life & Health, Private International Law, Product Liability, Professional Negligence, Property Damage

Barrister who specialises in commercial law, in particular insurance and reinsurance law, professional negligence and private international law. Accredited ARIAS mediator and sits as an arbitrator and court examiner. Experience of commercial law in major contractual disputes, including points on international law and jurisdictional matters. Appeared for and advised major insurance and reinsurance companies, Lloyd’s underwriters, the Corporation of Lloyd’s, insurance brokers and insureds on a variety of insurance and reinsurance covers. Instructed by Lloyd’s to provide independent expert evidence on the formation of insurance contracts at Lloyd’s for the purposes of an appeal in the Court of Appeal, Sao Paulo, Brazil arising out of Lloyd’s contingency insurance. Acts in professional negligence claims with particular expertise in claims involving insurance brokers and insurance intermediaries.  Instructed recently on high value commercial property insurance matters. Significant reported cases: Novus Aviation Ltd v Oman Air [2009] EWCA Civ 122 (foreign jurisdiction dispute). Barber v Lloyd’s Underwriters [1987] QB 103 (videotape evidence for US courts); Denby v The Hellenic Mediterranean Lines Co Ltd [1994] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 320 (marine insurance, jurisdiction); Lonrho Exports Ltd v ECGD [1996] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 649 (subrogation, holding insurance recoveries on trust); James Budgett Ltd v Norwich Union [2003] Lloyd’s Rep IR 110 (insurance coverage under commercial insurance in respect of contaminated sugar); Bestquest Ltd v Regency Care Homes Plc and The Ecclesiastical Insurance Company Plc [2003] Lloyd’s Rep IR 392 (failure to note interest on property and business interruption insurance).

Called to the Bar 1974 Middle Temple. Practising barrister. Former lecturer at University of Surrey, former tutor at Queen Mary College and at University College, London. Vice President of the British Insurance Law Association (BILA) and Chair of BILA’s Charitable Trustees. Appointed part-time Examiner of the High Court for conducting depositions. Part-time Upper Tribunal Judge (Administrative Appeals Chamber).

Scholarships and Awards Robert Garaway Rice Pupillage Award. Belgian Government scholarship to study Belgian and European Community Law at University of Louvain.

Publications Author of chapter in ‘Consumer Insurance Law: Disclosure, Representations and Basis of the Contract clauses’, edited by Peter Tyldesley (2013); author of chapter on insurance terms ‘Insurance Law: An Introduction’ by Professor Merkin (2007); editorial adviser ‘Insurance Contract Law’ (now Colinvaux & Merkin’s Insurance Contract Law); UK news correspondent for ‘International Insurance Law Review’ 1995-98; has written numerous articles on insurance and reinsurance law. Regularly presents webinars and chairs and speaks at professional conferences on insurance and reinsurance law.

French, German.

British Insurance Law Association (vice president, former chair); Bar Law Reform Committee (vice chair); Chair of the British Insurance Law Association Charitable Trust.

Bromley High School; University College London (1972 LLB; 1973 LLM); Belgian Government Scholarship; certificate from University of Louvain (1975); Trained mediator by Nottingham Law School (2004).

Tennis, music and ballet. Member Hurlingham Club.