Expertise

Dealing initially with all contentious civil disputes for a small number of important clients my career specialised to deal with the issues that arise from casualty issues and broadened to include the wider policy context of litigation. I, with a small group of two plaintiff (now claimant) lawyers and two insurer clients, wrote the UK's first pre-action protocol. This document has evolved and developed but the structure remains to this day and has been used as the basis for most of the pre-action protocols in use today.

I have continued to be extensively involved in legal and policy development.

I became a managing partner in 2000 and senior partner in 2006. This  provided an overview of client interests, experience of handling mergers and acquisitions, supplier relationships, project and personnel and partner management. 

Latterly I was a consultant and brought to that role the wealth of litigation, commercial and practical experience to bear to help parties resolve disputes through mediation.

I maintained close contact with clients not only directly but also with a formal responsibility as consultant to manage the firm's relationship with client member organisations such as Airmic and the Managing General Agents Association. I am pleased to have been invited to continue that support and presently assist the Conduct and Ethics Committee of the MGAA

Externally I was first ranked in Chambers and Partners in 2002. Without ever soliciting the legal guides I find that I have been variously described as a "guru"  and since 2014 as a “senior statesman”.

I am a Panel Mediator for CEDR for civil and commercial disputes and for clinical negligence. I also assist as a conciliator on a number of schemes for consumers.

I am, since 2017, a Civil Mediation Council Registered Mediator and since 2020 a Director of that organisation. I am pleased to support the development of mediation through that charity.

I undertake Community Mediations with Mediation Surrey.

I am a Trustee of the Education and Training Trust of the Chartered Insurance Institute.

Between 2018 and 2022 I assisted the Managing General Agents Association as a member of its Conduct and Ethics Committee.