RPC
RPC is a defendant-focused firm which covers all areas of professional negligence. The firm has a strong profile in the financial sector, with instructions from numerous major insurers and accountancy firms. Construction is a key area of strength for the firm, with a client list which includes a significant number of major consultants and contractors. Nick Bird acts for leading domestic and multinational insurance clients. Alan Stone has more than twenty years of experience in construction, and currently acts on behalf of the architect of Grenfell Tower. James Wickes specialises in defending complex, high value claims against financial professionals and institutions. Richard Breavington leads the cyber and tech insurance team and regularly advises on cyber breach incidents. Other individuals to note include Tim Bull, Felicity Strong, and Tom Green.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The teams are run extremely well by the partners and there is evidently good support and development because even junior lawyers are confident in their views and know that their opinions are valid.'
- ‘Alan Stone must have learned to clone himself because he is "everywhere" on his cases. Brings on teams of young lawyers who very quickly progress to senior associate and partner level. A great cultivator of legal talent.’
- ‘The professional negligence team is strong. The partner I know and work with most regularly is Nick Bird. Nick and his associates are always technically strong and combine technical excellence with good litigation instincts in order to achieve the best solution.’
- ‘Nick Bird is intellectually excellent and thoughtful in his approach.’
- ‘RPC have been my “go to” choice for external advice for 30 years. Their personal qualities along with their professional skills make them easy to deal with on what can be highly sensitive matters’
- ‘Alexandra Anderson has encyclopedic knowledge of insurance, PI law, surveyors, architects, solicitors and engineers' negligence. She is a leader in joined up thinking between claims, law and the impact on insurers and the market.'
- 'The team has huge experience and knowledge of the law and practice.'
- 'Tom Green - excellent sector knowledge, commercial approach.'
Key clients
- Kingsley Napley
- AXIS
- Hiscox
- AIG
- QBE
- Sompo
- Arch
- CBRE
- HDI
- CNAH
- Amtrust
- AXA XL
- Folgate
- Markel
- Liberty
Work highlights
- Appointed to act for Studio E Architects Limited, the architect appointed in relation to the refurbishment works at Grenfell Tower. The case concerns potentially systemic issues with Building Regulations and the regulations of building products.
- Acting for architect, Broadway Malyan, in a claim brought by Balfour Beatty in relation to fire safety and allegedly defective cladding, alleged defective ventilation and roofing and windows defects at a mixed-use development of student residences in Bethnal Green, London.
- Appointed jointly by Zurich and the defendant directors against an allegation that the directors of ESMS Global had personal liability to the employees of the company to ensure that 20% of the company's shares were put into an Employee Benefit Trust (EBT).
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Leading individuals
Partner. Alan is an insurance lawyer specialising in construction disputes and professional indemnity claims acting on behalf of a variety of Lloyd’s syndicates, insurance companies and construction professionals, including architects, engineers, surveyors and contractors. Alan's practice has involved him handling many high-value complex disputes, both in the UK and worldwide and across a variety of different forum, through litigation arbitration and adjudication. He is a contributor to Hogarth’s Insurance Law for the Construction Industry.
Next Generation Partners
Partner. Tom typically defends construction professionals, with a particular emphasis on architects, engineers and design and build contractors. This has included advising on claims in Qatar and Europe, as well as in the UK. Tom also acts for the wider construction industry in a range of disputes from defects claims, payment notices and final account disputes. Tom is experienced in all forms of dispute resolution, including litigation, arbitration, adjudication and ADR. Contributing author to Insurance Law for the Construction Industry.
Partner specialising in defending claims against leading law firms and other professionals in relation to complex and high-value claims. She has particular expertise in defending solicitors claims concerning a wide range of underlying areas of law, including corporate transactions, trusts, commercial property transactions, litigation and employment. Laura also acts for insurers in relation to coverage issues arising out of professional indemnity policies.
Felicity Strong is a Partner in the Construction team. Felicity specialises in defending high value, complex construction claims and in advising on policy coverage. She defends claims against all classes of construction professional, with a particular focus on architects, engineers and surveyors. Felicity is experienced in all forms of dispute resolution, including litigation, arbitration, adjudication and mediation.
Partner in RPC's insurance group; specialising in financial risks. Advises London market non-marine insurers/reinsurers on complex coverage disputes, in particular involving financial and professional lines policies, including PI, D&O, W&I and crime insurance. Also acts in the defence of claims against financial professionals, including directors, insurance brokers, IFAs, trustees, tax advisers, wealth managers and investment/asset/fund managers.Recognised in The Lawyer Magazine's Hot 100 2016.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Nick Bird, Alan Stone, James Wickes, Richard Breavington