Department profile
Deans Court Chambers

Motor Insurance Fraud

UK Bar Guide 2026 : All Circuits


Deans Court Chambers

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About

Provided by Deans Court Chambers

Members of the Fraud team are acutely alive to the greater focus that insurers place on tackling on fraudulent claims, as well as the long-term significant increase in the volume of claims. Working as a team with insurers, solicitors, investigators, experts and lay clients is even more important in this area of work than in others, and we recognise that.

At Deans Court Chambers, we like to fully integrate with those handling claims, and take our share of the responsibility for presenting the best possible defence to the bogus claim, whilst keeping the commercial considerations at the forefront of our minds.

Since we like to work closely with our clients, we are aware of their policies and procedures. We also invest in training our barristers so that we keep up with technological advancements (analytics, social network analysis and anomaly detection, for example) and market developments.

The team is comfortable to work across all lines of business including Motor claims. We also represent local authorities and large self-insured companies when they are faced with fraudulent claims.

In Motor work, we have the technical skills to deal with policy coverage disputes, Road Traffic Act 1998 points and MIB claims, whilst also being able to offer vast experience of handling fraud rings, staged accidents and LVI cases.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Motor Insurance Fraud - All Circuits

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For

Deans Court Chambers contains "a wide range of competent practitioners," acting for both claimants and defendants across the breadth of motor fraud cases. Members are frequently sought out to handle matters involving complex factual and legal questions and arguments of fundamental dishonesty. The set offers further capabilities in contempt of court proceedings. Members acted for the defendant in Blades v LMS, where the £1 million claim was found to be fundamentally dishonest.

Matthew Gibbons is the senior clerk.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerks are very efficient and on top of instructions and replies.

    Motor Insurance Fraud respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are always quick to reply.

    Motor Insurance Fraud respondentUK Bar
  • The clerking is very good. They offer direct dials on their website and clerks will often pick up the phone directly. All the clerks are genuine and friendly.

    Motor Insurance Fraud respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 2James Hogg
    Band 2James Hogg

    James Hogg

    James Hogg's civil litigation practice covers cases involving alleged fundamental dishonesty. He acts for insurers defending claims arising from road traffic collisions.

    • James is on the ball. He is very knowledgeable and knows cases inside-out. He is very well prepared.

      Motor Insurance Fraud respondentUK Bar
    • James is very intellectual and smart and a great barrister.

      Motor Insurance Fraud respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2James Paterson
    Band 2James Paterson

    James Paterson

    James Paterson boasts an impressive track record of achieving findings of fundamental dishonesty in a broad range of motor insurance fraud cases. He is routinely instructed by insurers for the defence of claims involving exaggerated injury, phantom passengers and staged accidents.

    • James is very good at what he does. He is an 'all guns blazing' type of lawyer.

      Motor Insurance Fraud respondentUK Bar
    • An exceptional barrister with very good cross examination skills and advocacy is second to none.

      Motor Insurance Fraud respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Simon McCann
    Band 2Simon McCann

    Simon McCann

    Simon McCann is an experienced junior specialising in motor insurance fraud claims. He has advised on all aspects of fraud, including contempt proceedings, and is also deeply involved in assisting insurers and local authorities on how best to investigate and uncover fraud rings. He has notable trial experience.

    • Simon is extremely approachable, so he is good with clients. He is very quick to the point, very commercially aware and an aggressive barrister when he needs to be on his feet.

      Motor Insurance Fraud respondentUK Bar
    • Simon is a fixture in this space and has a good following with insurers.

      Motor Insurance Fraud respondentUK Bar
    • He is very strong in trial work.

      Motor Insurance Fraud respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Deans Court Chambers (3)

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Members

Provided by Deans Court Chambers

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