About

Provided by DAC Beachcroft LLP

With the expected tailing off in lender claims against surveyors and solicitors, the professional risk market, both nationally and locally, is extremely competitive. In Bristol we are the largest and most established professional negligence team, acting for most of the leading insurers, as well as large professional services firms themselves, across all disciplines (including property consultancies, where a number of the leading global practices are clients).

This scale allows us to differentiate ourselves from our competitors, by delivering our services through specialist service lines covering all the key professions, including in the legal, surveying, financial services and construction sectors. This approach also facilitates service delivery for our clients across our other regional offices, as well as working seamlessly with our London Global team.

Another key differentiator from our local competitors remains the scale and reputation of our claims handling team, DAC Beachcroft Specialist Claims Services, which provides outsourced claims handling to leading professional indemnity insurers and receives consistently excellent feedback (on audit).

The team also has considerable expertise in insurance coverage, including Directors' and Officers' (D&O) risks and cases involving fraud on the part of professionals. The team has also developed a niche in handling claims under title indemnity policies and advises a number of the leading insurers in this area.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Professional Negligence: Mainly Defendant - South West

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

DAC Beachcroft has an excellent defendant-focused practice representing leading insurers in claims involving a range of professions, including those relating to the legal and construction sectors. The practice is aided by the firm's Specialist Claims Services, which provides outsourced claims-handling support to indemnity insurers.

Work Highlights

  • DAC Beachcroft defended a law firm and its insurers against claims seeking to recoup significant investment losses and lost tax relief following the liquidation of Park Regis Birmingham LLP.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

S
Marcus Campbell
S
Senior Statespeople
Marcus Campbell specialises in defending professional negligence claims on behalf of insurance brokers. He also advises clients on issues relating to D&O insurance.

Marcus is very experienced and senior. He's productive to deal with and got the case moving.

Marcus Campbell is an excellent technical lawyer and remains a favourite for complex coverage matters.

Marcus Campbell is really good and a key name in the market.

2
Giles Tagg
2
Band 2
Giles Tagg specialises in claims relating to construction, including those arising from design and engineering defects.

Giles Tagg is strong and is on high-end work.

3
Rebecca Smith
3
Band 3

Rebecca Smith has a broad professional negligence practice. She is well regarded for her work relating to pension funds and frequently represents insurers, accountancy firms and solicitors.

Rebecca does good work in pensions. She is really knowledgeable and specialist, which adds to the quality of her practice.

Rebecca Smith is really good.

Rebecca Smith is technically brilliant.

Sophie Ruffles
Associates to watch

Sophie Ruffles is a legal director at DAC Beachcroft who is particularly experienced in defending claims against solicitors and law firms.

Sophie is fantastic, an associate who can handle cases independently. She handles complex and difficult cases with no fuss.

She deals with my most difficult clients and she is very calm, professional and commercially minded. Sophie will look to settle things at an early stage rather than spending money in defence costs.

Ranked Lawyers at
DAC Beachcroft LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

South West

Professional Negligence: Mainly Claimant

Sophie Ruffles
Associates to watch
Professional Negligence: Mainly Defendant

S
Marcus Campbell
S
Senior Statespeople
2
Giles Tagg
2
Band 2
3
Rebecca Smith
3
Band 3
Sophie Ruffles
Associates to watch

Members

Provided by DAC Beachcroft LLP

Clients

Provided by DAC Beachcroft LLP

Amtrust

Aviva

Axis

IGI

Liberty

Libra

Markel

QBE

Travelers

XL Catlin

Zurich

Industries

Provided by DAC Beachcroft LLP

Commercial & Professional Services

Insurance

Real Estate