Stephenson Harwood is renowned for its marine insurance expertise, having received notable instructions in relation to mortgagee interest policies, constructive total losses, notices of abandonment and increased value policies, war risk, in addition to complex cargo and commodity fraud and multiple shipment losses. Practice co-head Alex Davis is a go-to for international insurance markets handling casualties, collisions, salvage, and wreck removals. Seasoned litigator Richard Hugg focuses on yacht insurance disputes, advising on coverage issues that include design issues, paint damage, engine damage and total losses.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team's high level of collaboration provides flexibility to their clients.'

  • ‘Alex Davis' approach is always commercial and imaginative.'

  • 'Ivan Valkov's dedication to a case is excellent. He is incredibly knowledgeable and a trusted contact.’

  • ‘Joe O'Keeffe has been involved in the marine insurance market for a long time has a great reputation here.'

  • I was very impressed with the thoughtfulness, responsiveness and practical understanding of Mateusz Bek.'

Key clients

  • Royal & Sun Alliance plc
  • Brit Insurance
  • Talbot Underwriting
  • Hiscox Insurance
  • QBE
  • Liberty Mutual Insurance
  • AXA Corporate Solutions Assurance
  • Torus
  • The Hartford
  • India International Insurance
  • Canopius
  • Lancashire Insurance Group (UK) Ltd
  • Antares Managing Agency Limited
  • The Channel Syndicate
  • North of England
  • Sunderland Marine
  • British Marine
  • GAREX
  • AXA XL
  • Allianz Global Corporate Solution
  • Generali

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Hall of fameStephenson Harwood
Alex is the practice leader for insurance and has extensive expertise in marine insurance. Alex has acted for major London Lloyd’s and company market insurers as well as Continental insurers on a wide range of marine insurance based matters. He regularly advises his clients on complex coverage issues on hull, cargo, war, port risk, shipyard liability, general liability and mortgagee interest policies. He has significant experience of acting primarily for International Insurance markets handling major casualties, collisions, salvage, and wreck removals. He regularly contributes to major publications such as Lloyd’s List on relevant issues and has recently co-presented a paper on marine cyber risk at the IMCC with Rod Johnson. He has particular expertise in relation to NOAs, CTLs and issues arising thereafter having led one of the main cases resulting in the development of the law in this area. He is also a recognised as leading practitioner on mortgagee interest coverage issues. He has advised geo-seismic operators and their insurers on risk management issues and advises the London market on pre-inception risk issues. He is listed as a leading individual in marine insurance in the major legal directories.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Alex Davis, Joe O'Keeffe

Other key lawyers

Richard Hugg, Ivan Valkov, Mateusz Bek