Department profile
DAC Beachcroft LLP

Professional Negligence

UK Guide 2026 : London (Firms)


DAC Beachcroft LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by DAC Beachcroft LLP

Acting for top tier clients (insurers and their most important insureds)
Legal: Jones Day, Browne Jacobson, Fladgate, Wragge Lawrence Graham, Eversheds and Shoosmiths
Construction: AMEC, MBS Contracting Limited
Technology: Eagle Eye
Financial: Brooks McDonald,  Deloitte and Deutsche Bank employees 
Insurance: Zurich, Markel, AVIVA, XL Catlin, and Towergate

Specific sector expertise
Our lawyers are not generalists. Instead, we have lawyers who are experts in their specific fields. By way of example, in construction we are able to differentiate ourselves from our competitors with our years of experience in acting directly for Design & Build contractors and draw upon our transactional construction expertise. In doing so, we are able to better advise our clients on the commercial risks of construction disputes.

Innovation and flexibility
We are proactive and think of the next issues before they arise.
Technology: We launched our cyber insurance practice in 2012, many years before the sector began to become popular. We have secured high profile instructions, because of our innovative approach and flexibility to develop bespoke cyber claims solutions.

Building teams and raising new talent
Our clients tell us that we have differentiated our junior lawyers. We put our junior lawyers at the heart of our client relationships. Our clients say they know more of our junior lawyers than any other firm they work with.

Clients (12)

  • Jones Day
  • Browne Jacobson
  • Fladgate
  • Wragge Lawrence Graham
  • Eversheds
  • Shoosmiths
  • AMEC
  • MBS Contracting Limited
  • Mclaren Construction Limited and Costain PLC
  • Talk Talk
  • Eagle Eye
  • Brooks McDonald

Industries (10)

  • Banks
  • Commercial & Professional Services
  • Construction & Materials
  • Financial Services
  • Insurance
  • Media
  • Retail
  • Software & Computer Services
  • Technology, Hardware & Electronics
  • Telecommunications

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Professional Negligence - London (Firms)

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For

DAC Beachcroft houses an experienced professional negligence team that offers sector-specific advice across a range of areas, including financial and insurance-related matters, as well as claims concerning the construction industry. Its impressive client list includes major insurers, along with leading law firms and organisations in the accountancy and pensions spaces. The team's capability extends regionally and internationally, through the firm's extensive network of offices.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • DAC Beachcroft was instructed by the Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund to defend two counsel against a claim arising out of a failed litigation in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. This case raised important considerations regarding the Limitation Act, continuing duty and the summary judgment test in loss of a chance cases.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • DAC Beachcroft has a large team that turns things round quickly. They're very industrious and respond consistently.

    Professional Negligence respondentUK
  • DAC Beachcroft is a lovely firm to work with. It has a great team who are highly knowledgeable.

    Professional Negligence respondentUK
  • DAC Beachcroft come across as very professional and they always go above and beyond.

    Professional Negligence respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 4Liam O'Connell
    Band 4Liam O'Connell

    Liam O'Connell

    Liam O'Connell is the head of the firm's global insurance group. He has strength handling cases stemming from the insurance and financial sectors. He is also noted for his experience advising leading law firms on breach of duty and confidentiality claims.
    • Liam O'Connell is a very sophisticated litigator, tough but professional.

      Professional Negligence respondentUK
    • Liam O'Connell takes tough points well and is very clever.

      Professional Negligence respondentUK
    • Liam O'Connell is a good lawyer.

      Professional Negligence respondentUK
  • Band 4Richard Highley
    Band 4Richard Highley

    Richard Highley

    Richard Highley is a well-regarded practitioner for professional negligence matters, especially where they relate to accountancy and financial services.

    • Richard has been doing such a good job. He has top-tier accountancy and regulatory expertise.

      Professional Negligence respondentUK
    • Richard Highley is experienced and has been around for a long time. He's very good at managing a large team because he is diplomatic and a good people person.

      Professional Negligence respondentUK
    • Richard Highley is an old hand in the field and is very on top of strategy.

      Professional Negligence respondentUK

Ranked Individuals at DAC Beachcroft LLP (2)

London (Firms)

Members

Provided by DAC Beachcroft LLP

DAC Beachcroft LLP has rankings in the following guides

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