Property Damage
UK Bar Guide 2025 : London (Bar)
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(020) 7842 5555Chambers Review
4 Pump Court serves an impressive client base spanning property owners, insurers and contractors, and provides an impressive range of specialist expertise in major property damage disputes. Members of the set excel in matters involving technical complexity and challenging issues of liability and quantum. The set's strength in the area is complemented by its stature in construction and professional negligence matters. Barristers at 4 Pump Court have acted for one of the defendants in Avantage Limited v GB Building Solutions and others, a £40 million claim arising from a fire which destroyed a retirement village. Sources note that "they consistently advise on high-value complex property damage cases confidently" and that 4 Pump Court "has a wide range of expertise within the set."
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The clerks are very responsive and will always manage expectations with enquiries."
"The clerking team understand the commercial realities and context of instructions. Sam Penny, practice manager, is excellent."
"The clerks are very responsive and will always manage expectations with enquiries."
"The clerking team understand the commercial realities and context of instructions. Sam Penny, practice manager, is excellent."
Notable Practitioners
Rachel Ansell KC is recognised in the market for her admirable property damage practice, and also has strength in professional negligence and construction matters, as well as a robust understanding of insurance cases. She is noted for her experience handling subrogated claims as well as fire damage cases and is an expert at dealing with matters of an international nature.
"Rachel is a real go-to barrister in the space and works hard."
"Rachel's fantastic. Her cross-examination builds and builds to a crescendo and is she highly forensic."
Benjamin Pilling KC is noted for his expert handling of property damage cases relating to fire and water damage. He is also regularly instructed in matters involving landslips and structural collapse. His property damage practice is bolstered by his expertise in construction and professional negligence matters.
"Benjamin is very calm with his advocacy, providing succinct advice from complex concepts, and he can distil this information down into a workable format."
Kate Livesey leverages her enviable expertise in construction and professional negligence to handle a variety of disputes arising from property damage. She acts for contractors and insurers and regularly appears in multiparty disputes before the TCC.
"Kate is excellent in the trifecta of insurance, professional negligence and construction. These skills make her good in property damage claims."
Michael Davie KC acts for insurers and property developers in complex property damage disputes. He is sought after for his ability to defend claims resulting from fires.
"Michael's response times are phenomenal. We receive detailed emails within the hour or even less."