HFW, Insurance | Chambers Global Profile

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Insurance - United Arab Emirates

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

HFW maintains a skilled contentious insurance practice in the UAE, with lawyers based in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The team is best known for its work on behalf of policyholders and its strong experience relating to aviation insurance. It also acts for a wide range of Middle East-based insurers. The firm has considerable abilities in marine and construction insurance, in addition to growing strengths in computer crime and cyber liability claims. Team members also advise on non-contentious issues.

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Work Highlights

Provided by HFW

HFW was counsel to Qatar Re in DIFC litigation proceedings relating to its reinsurance contact with Orient Insurance and involving allegations that this had been obtained under various misrepresentations by Orient.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

The HFW insurance team provides alternative formulations to complex structures to keep all parties satisfied and its client well protected.

Insurance respondent
Global

HFW look beyond the law to the commercial issues that underlie a transaction. In addition, they display outside-the-box thinking and really make an extra effort, displaying deep market knowledge.

Insurance respondent
Global

There is a great range of experts in the HFW insurance team. The department is always responsive.

Insurance respondent
Global

We find HFW very knowledgeable, with an understanding of the local legal framework as well as of the wider insurance industry in which we operate.

Insurance respondent
Global

The team in Dubai has strong partner-level expertise in insurance claims allied with excellent support in the ranks below. The team also leverages its deep capabilities in the UK where required.

Insurance respondent
Global

The HFW insurance team provides alternative formulations to complex structures to keep all parties satisfied and its client well protected.

Insurance respondent
Global

HFW look beyond the law to the commercial issues that underlie a transaction. In addition, they display outside-the-box thinking and really make an extra effort, displaying deep market knowledge.

Insurance respondent
Global

There is a great range of experts in the HFW insurance team. The department is always responsive.

Insurance respondent
Global

We find HFW very knowledgeable, with an understanding of the local legal framework as well as of the wider insurance industry in which we operate.

Insurance respondent
Global

The team in Dubai has strong partner-level expertise in insurance claims allied with excellent support in the ranks below. The team also leverages its deep capabilities in the UK where required.

Insurance respondent
Global

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Sam Wakerley

Band 1

Sam Wakerley heads the firm’s regional insurance and reinsurance department from his base in Dubai. He is a leading lawyer for contentious issues within the field, including under marine insurance and business interruption policies.

An excellent team leader and excellent lawyer. He is highly regarded, market wide.

Sam Wakerley is an amazing partner. He is always available and very responsive; a super person to work with.

His work and his interpretation of insurance matters is exceptional, and we can always rely on Sam to act with professional integrity when dealing with us.

Sam is a highly regarded insurance claims practitioner. His ability to advise clients on how to navigate complex issues and search for solutions is well known and much appreciated.

Sam is my go-to legal resource and has been for several years.

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John Barlow

Band 2

John Barlow heads the regional financial institutions and regulatory practice, dividing his time between Dubai and Riyadh. He frequently acts for banks and export credit agencies on insurance matters relating to their lending activities.

John Barlow's professional and astute interpretation of the law is always on-point. He provides excellent guidance, displaying excellent legal knowledge and industry experience.

John is an expert in financial and professional lines matters with a strong track record of helping clients to successful and pragmatic outcomes.

John demonstrates a deep knowledge of the commercial reality. He has a client-oriented approach combined with an ability to think outside the box and find novel solutions to non-standard problems.

John Barlow is amazing and is well known not just in the UAE but in the UK market as well. He has an incredible reputation and is good for when things need to get done quickly.

John manages the whole strategy from A to Z. He has a lot of hands-on experience.

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Justin Whelan

Band 3

Justin Whelan operates out of Abu Dhabi and has extensive experience assisting clients with business interruption cases. He is also noted for his handling of insurance and reinsurance litigation, with a particular focus on cybersecurity and data protection claims.

Justin is extremely professional, knowledgeable and responsive.

We have done some tough cases together, and I respect his opinion and support. He is ultra-responsive.

Justin Whelan is an excellent commercial lawyer, being both pragmatic and capable.

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Thomas Neighbour

Associates to watch

Thomas Neighbour has a growing profile within the insurance industry, having advised on a number of high-profile business interruption, construction and liability claims.

Thomas is knowledgeable and very detailed. He's good on contracts, agreements and advisory work.

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