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Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance

Global Guide 2026 : UK

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Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

The law firm maintains a strong global presence in insurance disputes with an excellent reputation for its representation of policyholders involved in complex, high value coverage claims.

The strong UK team is complemented by experienced practitioners across Europe and in Australia.

Members of the team handle a diverse range of disputes, notably those relating to property damage, energy and construction, financial services, cyber and W&I claims.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance - UK

Band 5

What the Team is Known For

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer expertly represents major clients from all corners of the insurance market, with a particular focus on policyholder and broker representation. The firm is regularly instructed on high-profile and complex mandates, including those involving professional indemnity, product liability and financial lines claims. Furthermore, it frequently assists with coverage disputes that arise out of highly sensitive situations, including fraud, cybercrime and environmental disasters. The team has notable expertise in claims arising in the energy and oil and gas sectors, and also provides a wide range of advice to clients on policy drafting and review.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer advised Sky before the Court of Appeal in a claim worth over £100 million relating to a construction all-risks policy and water damage to the roof of its headquarters.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • It's certainly a market leader. The lawyers are individually great to work with and they're very knowledgeable. If you need to go into battle on a claim, they are fully committed to your corner.

    Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance respondentGlobal

  • The team is stacked at every level with deep knowledge, huge practical experience and an intellectual rigour to critique every issue that arises. The team thrives on complexity.

    Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance respondentGlobal

  • The service is exceptional, and instructing them sends a clear signal to insurers that we are serious about our claim. The team are clearly separated from others with their depth of expertise.

    Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance respondentGlobal

  • The team have consistently exhibited exceptional leadership and teamwork skills in a number of very technical and complex cases across a variety of international jurisdictions.

    Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance respondentGlobal

  • The firm has a mastery of insurance law and a commercial focus on the policyholder position. Their range of experience is unparalleled.

    Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Paul Lewis
    Paul Lewis

    Paul Lewis

    Paul Lewis is the managing partner of the UK and EMEA disputes practice at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer. He is highly adept at handling complex disputes on behalf of policyholders, including financial lines, marine and environmental claims.

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  • Alexander Oddy
    Alexander Oddy

    Alexander Oddy

    Alexander Oddy has vast experience in handling coverage disputes on behalf of policyholder clients, including leading energy companies and financial institutions.

    • Alex is a trusted adviser on insurance matters and has long experience of complex insurance law issues. We really value his insights and judgement.

      Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance respondentGlobal

    • Alex is sharp, to the point and a pleasure to work with. He is able to handle the most difficult claims and the most difficult negotiations calmly and efficiently, never losing focus.

      Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance respondentGlobal

    • Alex has tremendous legal knowledge from his vast experience and is an intellectual powerhouse. He is very responsive and his work is first class.

      Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance respondentGlobal

    • Alex was instrumental in achieving a significant settlement with insurers. He is extremely knowledgeable and practical about insurance law and its processes.

      Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance respondentGlobal
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  • Sarah McNally
    Sarah McNally

    Sarah McNally

    Sarah McNally has considerable experience acting for policyholders in insurance claims and coverage disputes. Her expertise includes large property damage and construction claims as well as financial lines insurance.

    • Sarah is pure class and a lawyer of the highest calibre. She is commercially very aware across all of the most pressing current issues.

      Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance respondentGlobal

    • Sarah has extensive expertise in this type of matter. She is tenacious, but equally pragmatic.

      Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance respondentGlobal

    • Sarah has deep insurance technical knowledge. She is great on coverage issues and is a superb litigation strategist and adviser. She is top-notch all round.

      Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance respondentGlobal

    • Sarah is our first choice for insurance litigation and coverage claims. She is massively into the detail and incredibly committed to helping us win our cases.

      Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance respondentGlobal
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  • Greig Anderson
    Greig Anderson

    Greig Anderson

    Greig Anderson is a well-regarded insurance practitioner with particular strength advising financial institutions on professional indemnity and financial lines matters.

    • I really enjoy working with Greig. He is incredibly knowledgeable on the relevant legal points and it feels like he has thought about every question the client has before they ask it.

      Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance respondentGlobal

    • Greig knows his area incredibly well and is a trusted adviser on difficult claims.

      Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance respondentGlobal

    • Greig is commercially astute, technically excellent and a delight to deal with.

      Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance respondentGlobal
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  • Antonia Pegden
    Antonia Pegden

    Antonia Pegden

    Antonia Pegden is a solicitor advocate with a broad commercial disputes practice. She has experience advising policyholders across a broad range of claims.

    • We couldn’t be more pleased with the depth of knowledge and attention to detail Antonia has consistently displayed, as well as the speed and efficiency with which she always responds to our requests.

      Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance respondentGlobal

    • Antonia is an up-and-coming lawyer who puts in a tremendous amount of work. Her attention to detail is extremely impressive.

      Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance respondentGlobal

    • Antonia is an expert in this space and is very open in terms of communications.

      Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance respondentGlobal
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  • Fiona Treanor
    Fiona Treanor

    Fiona Treanor

    Fiona Treanor advises policyholders on a range of insurance disputes. She regularly works on cases relating to business interruption and professional indemnity.

    • Fiona is very hard-working, smart and good to deal with.

      Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance respondentGlobal

    • Fiona is technically adept and pragmatic. She is exemplary of excellent client service and team management.

      Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance respondentGlobal

    • Fiona is an excellent lawyer. She is very smart, very savvy and provides clear advice.

      Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance respondentGlobal

    • Fiona Treanor is very diligent and timely in providing constructive advice.

      Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance respondentGlobal
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Ranked Individuals at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP (6)

UK

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