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Essex Court Chambers

Insurance

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)

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Essex Court Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Insurance - London (Bar)

Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Essex Court Chambers offers impressive advocacy in the courtroom alongside considerable strengths handling international arbitrations. The set possesses enviable prowess in the Bermuda Form, counting published authors on the subject among its tenants. Capable of handling a breadth of insurance and reinsurance disputes involving the marine, construction, pharmaceutical and energy sectors, among others. Members of Essex Court Chambers have been involved in key insurance cases, such as Nord Stream AG v Lloyd's, a £400 million claim related to the widely reported pipeline explosions in the Baltic sea. Sources say: "Essex Court Chambers has exceptional bench strength for handling complex and sophisticated matters."

Joe Ferrigno is the senior clerk.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Clerks work seamlessly and are super responsive.

    Insurance respondentUK Bar

  • The clerking is fantastic. They are just really good and very collaborative. They are very helpful in managing the client relationship.

    Insurance respondentUK Bar

  • It is always a pleasure working the the Essex Court clerks. The team structure they operate works very well and assists in providing an excellent service.

    Insurance respondentUK Bar

  • They've got a great team for clerking. Senior Clerk Joe Ferrigno is excellent. Team Leader Ollie Butcher is also very accomplished.

    Insurance respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • David Scorey
    David Scorey

    David Scorey

    David Scorey KC is an impressive silk who maintains a strong reputation in Bermuda Form work. He also handles a wide range of other commercial insurance disputes, a number of which involve jurisdictional issues. He is experienced in insurance and reinsurance litigation involving the energy and financial services sectors.

    • David is tenacious and good with clients. He has a very good reputation. He is an impressive all-rounder who knows his reinsurance onions.

      Insurance respondentUK Bar

    • He is absolutely first rate. David is accessible, approachable and he knows the subject area better than anyone else.

      Insurance respondentUK Bar

    • He is analytically excellent.

      Insurance respondentUK Bar

    • David is very experienced in Bermuda Form matters. He is very intellectual and adept at seeking solutions around legal hurdles.

      Insurance respondentUK Bar

    • David is at the top of the market, especially for insurance.

      Insurance respondentUK Bar
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  • John Lockey
    John Lockey

    John Lockey

    John Lockey KC is known for the breadth of his international practice. He is particularly visible in Hong Kong, where he frequently handles insurance arbitrations. He is also noted for his strength in Bermuda Form matters. He receives instructions in high-value disputes arising in the financial and pharmaceutical sectors.

    • John is rightly seen as one of the preeminent silks in insurance. He gets results. He is both effective and fun to work with.

      Insurance respondentUK Bar

    • John is the best of the best when it comes to insurance disputes. He combines an easy, client-friendly manner with technical expertise and a laser focus on the points that actually matter.

      Insurance respondentUK Bar

    • He is a reinsurance and coverage expert, who is calm and unflustered.

      Insurance respondentUK Bar

    • John Lockey is a completely seasoned professional.

      Insurance respondentUK Bar
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  • Paul Stanley
    Paul Stanley

    Paul Stanley

    Paul Stanley KC is an experienced advocate who has an impressive track record of handling cases involving the Bermuda Form, a subject on which he is a published expert. He is renowned for his skills as both advocate and arbitrator.

    • As an insurance coverage silk he is fantastic. He is a very effective cross-examiner because his eye is always on the detail. He is not overly aggressive but very effective; he gets to the nub of it.

      Insurance respondentUK Bar

    • He is an outstanding technology insurance lawyer. He is a great at explaining the law.

      Insurance respondentUK Bar

    • Paul wrote the book on Bermuda Form arbitration. He is very knowledgeable in that space.

      Insurance respondentUK Bar

    • Paul is lightning fast at assimilating material. He is a very effective advocate and has excellent judgement.

      Insurance respondentUK Bar

    • Paul's technical expertise and intellectual brilliance is unmatched. When he speaks, the court listens.

      Insurance respondentUK Bar
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  • Jeffrey Gruder
    Jeffrey Gruder

    Jeffrey Gruder

    Jeffrey Gruder KC is noted for his abilities to represent policyholders in complex disputes. He is held in high regard for his skills in tackling large business interruption claims.

    • His knowledge in insurance law is unmatched and he provides the ultimate weapon in any solicitors' arsenal.

      Insurance respondentUK Bar

    • He has such a nice way about him; nothing is too much trouble. He is responsive and there is never any drama. He takes it all in his stride and is great with his clients.

      Insurance respondentUK Bar

    • He has a good rapport with judges, his judgement is always excellent and he knows issues inside out.

      Insurance respondentUK Bar

    • He is a champion of the business interruption world on the policy holder-side. His years of experience very much show in the way he speaks quietly but his voice carries great weight.

      Insurance respondentUK Bar

    • He rolls up his sleeves and is on top of the detail and market developments. He is truly brilliant.

      Insurance respondentUK Bar
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  • Philippa Hopkins
    Philippa Hopkins

    Philippa Hopkins

    Philippa Hopkins KC is a well-regarded advocate experienced in a wide array of commercial disputes. She demonstrates considerable expertise in marine insurance, reinsurance and international arbitration.

    • Philippa Hopkins is absolutely super. She is user-friendly and bright.

      Insurance respondentUK Bar

    • She is down to earth and clever, with vital common sense in problem-solving.

      Insurance respondentUK Bar

    • Philippa is an exceptionally talented advocate who never fails to provide comprehensive, clear and commercial advice.

      Insurance respondentUK Bar

    • She is very good on her feet. She is very quick in preparation but never misses any details.

      Insurance respondentUK Bar
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  • Mubarak Waseem
    Mubarak Waseem

    Mubarak Waseem

    Mubarak Waseem is a well regarded up and coming insurance junior with experience of acting in matters related to a variety of issues such as business interruption insurance, Bermuda Form and negligence, to name a few. Waseem is also well versed in appearing in cases with an international element.

    • His intellect and ability are phenomenal.

      Insurance respondentUK Bar

    • Mubarak is very organised and really helps us to get to grips in complicated matters involving huge amounts of information.

      Insurance respondentUK Bar
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  • David Walsh
    David Walsh

    David Walsh

    David Walsh KC is a well-regarded silk who receives praise for his insurance and reinsurance expertise. He offers particular strength in marine matters. He has also been sought out to act in disputes relating to property damage and political risk claims.

    • He is very good on his feet and he knows how to fight.

      Insurance respondentUK Bar

    • David is exceptionally bright and user-friendly. He is commercial in his approach with an excellent eye for detail.

      Insurance respondentUK Bar

    • He is very good at oral advocacy. Clients really like him because he is down-to-earth and is able to relate to everyone in the room.

      Insurance respondentUK Bar

    • David is exceptional to work with; he is super bright, super hard-working and super client-friendly.

      Insurance respondentUK Bar
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Ranked Barristers at Essex Court Chambers (7)

London (Bar)

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