Our market-leading team have specialised in legal services for 40 years. The team acts for local, national and international law firms, defending all sizes and types of claim.

Our team has a deep understanding of the commercial reputation and regulatory issues facing legal professionals. We have a long standing reputation in the market for providing insurers and their insureds with international and focused risk management advice, and have handled some of the largest claims in this area over the last four decades.

We are experienced in navigating high profile and reputationally sensitive claims. We work closely from the outset with risk and management teams and communications specialists to preserve confidentiality and to minimise the fall-out that can arise from disputes.

Our experience is global in scope and we assist firms and their insurers with their cross-border operations and issues. We have worked across multiple jurisdictions, including those where we are not based, and maintain a strong reputation for achieving positive results for clients.

The size of our practice means we are also able to provide volume claims support, locally and internationally.

Our Lawyers Work

  • All
  • UK & Europe
  • Advising against a claim of breach of duty and breach of fiduciary duty

    Advising on a claim against a solicitor for breach of duty and breach of fiduciary duty. The claim raised significant issues regarding scope of duty, conflict of interest and causation in addition to  a number of policy issues which also arose

    Advising brokers in a negligence claim

    Advising brokers on a substantial negligence claim for failing to advise correctly on cover required

    Advising on breach of breach of duty and scope of duty

    Advising a solicitors firm on breach of breach of duty and scope of duty. The firm allegedly failed to carry our adequate due diligence around transactions which led to the client being defrauded by a substantial amount

    Advising on professional negligence in relation to legal property advice

    Advising a London law firm on  a claim  related to advice given on a high value property acquisition

    Complex cross-border professional negligence advice

    Advising a top tier, international law firm against a complex professional negligence case relating to legal opinions provided to their client. This matter included cross-border disputes and multi-jurisdictional advice

    Defending a UK office of an international law firm

    Defending a claim again a UK office of an international firm relating to advice involving a corporate transaction

    Multi-million pound trust dispute between the settlor and beneficiaries

    Acting in a multi-million claim brought against a Jersey-based firm of solicitors acting as trustee in a family trust which was the subject of a dispute between settlor and beneficiaries

    Negligence in restructuring a pan-European motor distribution network

    Acting for a magic circle law firm in relation to a complex negligence claim (EUR 60 million) arising out of the restructuring of a pan-European motor distribution network

    Professional negligence advice in relation to contract law

    Acting for an international law firm in a professional negligence claim relating to contract advice they had provided

    Professional negligence advice in relation to defence litigation

    Representing a law firm in a claim relating to allegations of negligence around the handling of litigation defence work

  • Fraudulent claims result in custodial sentences

    We successfully applied for the committal of three Defendants for contempt of court. The application was made following their attempts to bring a fraudulent insurance claim, in relation to a staged road traffic accident. The first and third Defendants filed witness statements refuting our client’s allegations of fraudulent behaviour. All Defendants received custodial sentences, this ruling has important ramifications for those involved in fraudulent claims. 

    United Kingdom

    Fraud screening processes uncovers large motor fraud ring

    We acted for an insurer on a large motor fraud operation. The operation focused on 367 third parties claiming against 136 fraudulently incepted policies and was complex given it involved suspected staged accidents where often individuals did not exist. The strategies resulted in savings of 3.4 million for the insurer client. Additionally, following over 500 individuals being under investigation; payments were made on just 4 claims in total (97.55% success rate).

    United Kingdom

    Own goal by non-league footballer as TV appearance defeats dishonest claim

    The claimant, attempted to claim over £55,000 for injury in a road traffic accident, he claimed that injuries to his foot meant he could neither stand nor walk for long periods. His appearance on Sky TV’s Soccer AM for scoring a goal from the halfway line, was one of the pieces of evidence we presented to the Court to prove the claimant was exaggerating the extent of his injuries. He agreed to a court order to withdraw his insurance claim and pay £5,000 costs.

    United Kingdom

    Employee-led fraud ring

    Representing a large local authority on a sensitive employee-led fraud ring. We ensured that reputational damage was avoided whilst achieving maximum repudiation and an IFED referral.

    United Kingdom

    First industry-wide EL/PL fraud ring

    Acting for several large clients in the Preston area dealing with, what was deemed to be, the first industry-wide EL/PL fraud ring. We assisted our client by liaising with the IFB and delivered a 100% repudiation rate for all intimated claims.

    United Kingdom

    Motor Fraudsters jailed for contempt of court

    We pursued contempt of court actions against three individuals who had brought claims against a top 10 UK motor insurer following a staged road traffic accident, part of a larger fraud ring investigation. While the claims had not proceeded to trial meaning the three individuals hadn't lied under oath, we pursued contempt proceedings and they each received prison sentences of between 4 and 6 months.

    United Kingdom

    Exaggerated claim undone by investigation

    We acted for a large public liability insurer following a genuine accident. The claimant alleged serious physical and psychological injuries, with his claim for damages and costs in excess of GBP 40,000. Our investigation uncovered that he was lifting heavy weights and we obtained video of him on one of the world’s highest waterslides. At trial, the claim was dismissed and the claimant was ordered to pay GBP 14,000 in costs.

    United Kingdom

    Exaggeration costs claimant dearly

    Following a genuine accident at work, our insurer client contacted us as they were concerned about the extent and impact of the injuries. This claim was handled using our Project Martello strategy for exaggerated claims. Our investigation uncovered that the Claimant was much more active than he was admitting. The Court ordered that the GBP 260,000 claim be discontinued and the claimant to pay GBP 5,000 to the Defendant.

    United Kingdom

    First private prosecution for public liability claim

    Acting on behalf of a global insurer defending a staged tripping claim brought against a supermarket. After defending the original GBP 60,000 claim to a successful conclusion at trial, we then pursued a private prosecution against the claimant - who received a 21 month suspended jail sentence for her part in the scam.

    United Kingdom

Our Lawyers team

Richard Harrison
Richard Harrison

Partner

Sarah Clover
Sarah Clover

Partner

Fergal Cathie
Fergal Cathie

Partner

Helen Rowlands
Helen Rowlands

Partner

Andrew Blair
Andrew Blair

Consultant

Jane Williams
Jane Williams

Partner

James Preece
James Preece

Partner

Jim Taylor
Jim Taylor

Partner

Anthony Brown
Anthony Brown

Partner

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