Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 5
About
Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills
We have the leading global practice (outside the US) for policyholders with insurance coverage issues, and represent clients in the largest, most high profile and complex disputes in the London and international markets. We work extensively with insurance intermediaries and can also support insurance and reinsurance companies on strategically important disputes.
Most companies around the world use insurance as a means of effective risk transfer for their business. From traditional policies such as property damage and business interruption, directors and officers (D&O) liability, professional indemnity, public and product liability, to newer and more bespoke products including cyber, credit and political risk, warranty and indemnity (W&I) insurance and covers enabling the energy transition, we have the relevant expertise.
Assisting with major claims is our core expertise, including advice on coverage, claim project management, claims advocacy to secure appropriate settlement of the claim using the full range of dispute resolution procedures including litigation, arbitration and all forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution.
We also bring our experience of the claims arena to bear when advising clients on non-contentious aspects of insurance, including the preparation and review of policy wordings and risk allocation under contracts.
Chambers Review
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.
Work Highlights
- Herbert Smith Freehills acted for the operator of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline on an insurance claim relating to the damage to the pipeline in September 2022.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Herbert Smith Freehills have significant expertise in the area of policyholder W&I, including extremely complex technical and financial issues."
"Herbert Smith have a well-established and very strong team. They are always communicative and responsive."
"On the insurance side, Herbert Smith display a good market knowledge and they work very effectively with brokers."
"Herbert Smith Freehills have significant expertise in the area of policyholder W&I, including extremely complex technical and financial issues."
"Herbert Smith have a well-established and very strong team. They are always communicative and responsive."
"On the insurance side, Herbert Smith display a good market knowledge and they work very effectively with brokers."
Notable Practitioners
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.
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 is certainly experienced and is prominent in the market."
Alexander Oddy has vast experience in handling coverage disputes on behalf of policyholder clients, including leading energy companies and financial institutions.
"Alex has a strong technical depth, he is aware and is strategically excellent."
"Alex is very experienced and commercially aware. He's ahead of his time in his approach to litigation and ability to think outside the box strategically."
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.
"Sarah is a technically experienced and persuasive individual."
"Sarah really connects with her cases, so clients really feel that she is invested to get the best."
"Sarah is an impressive individual, combining the sharpest of intellects, deep experience in a range of areas and an awesome work ethic"
Greig Anderson is a well-regarded insurance practitioner with particular strength advising financial institutions on professional indemnity and financial lines matters.
"Greig is a commercially astute, fiercely intelligent practitioner who can be relied on for the most technical of matters."
"Greig is a very safe pair of hands for financial institutions."
"He has good market knowledge and is strong technically."
Ranked Lawyers at
Herbert Smith Freehills
UK-wide
Members
Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills
Head of Department
Fiona Treanor
