Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance

Herbert Smith Freehills expertly represents major clients from all corners of the insurance market, with a particular focus on policyholder and broker representation. The firm is regularly instructed on high-profile and complex mandates, including those involving professional indemnity, product liability and financial lines claims. Furthermore, it frequently assists with coverage disputes that arise out of highly sensitive situations, including fraud, cybercrime and environmental disasters. The team has notable expertise in claims arising in the energy and oil and gas sectors and also provides a wide range of advice to clients on policy drafting and review.

"Herbert Smith Freehills has exceptional lawyers."

"The team takes an extremely thorough approach. They prioritise and strategise; Their lawyers see the big picture but nothing slips through the cracks. They are across all the detail and think about issues in a broad and open way."

"The firm possesses high technical knowledge on complex coverage concerns."

"They are an experienced team who listen to client needs and translate these into strategies."

"The team is made up of a number of high-calibre individuals who are all expert in their particular fields of insurance law."

Herbert Smith Freehills acted for AerCap in claims under its aviation insurance policies relating to the loss of aircraft and engines in Ukraine and Russia following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the imposition of international sanctions.

David Reston is a consultant who has a wealth of experience advising insurers on complex claims and coverage disputes. He offers particular strengths in employers' liability and professional indemnity matters. "David is a great lawyer and a true pleasure to work with."

Alexander Oddy has vast experience in handling coverage disputes on behalf of policyholder clients, including leading energy companies and financial institutions. "Alexander Oddy is regarded as the best policyholder lawyer in the UK." "He is an impressive technical lawyer who knows his stuff." "He is without doubt one of the best solicitors I've ever worked with."

Paul Lewis is the joint managing partner of the global disputes practice at Herbert Smith Freehills. He is highly adept at handling complex disputes on behalf of policyholders, including financial lines, marine and environmental claims. "Paul Lewis is an incredibly good negotiator who is very experienced and is a safe pair of hands. He is a standout in this area." "Paul Lewis is a very clever litigator."

Greig Anderson is a well-regarded insurance practitioner with particular strength advising financial institutions on professional indemnity and financial lines matters. "Greig is a highly astute and commercial operator, who is very responsive and user-friendly." "He gives extremely good advice, he's very thorough and he's technically good." "Greig is a safe pair of hands and has strong experience. He is knowledgeable and is very easy to work alongside."

Sarah McNally has considerable experience acting for policyholders on insurance claims and coverage disputes. Her expertise includes large property damage and construction claims as well as financial lines insurance. "She has significant expertise in a number of highly specialist areas of insurance. Her experience in both contentious and non-contentious work enhances her advice. She is very hard-working and her responsiveness is exemplary." "She is incredibly intelligent and experienced. She knows all the details and knows what matters to us as a client."