Practice Areas
Patrick is a partner in Kennedys’ London office with over 30 years’ experience specialising in insurance and reinsurance law.
His practice is primarily focused on coverage and disputes work in marine, offshore and onshore energy, political violence/terrorism, trade credit and political risk. Patrick handles litigation before the Commercial Court in London, arbitration mandates and has mediated a significant number of disputes to a successful conclusion. He regularly acts as monitoring counsel for insurers/reinsurers in respect of international claims.
Predominantly acting for global insurers and Lloyd’s syndicates, a significant proportion of Patrick’s practice sees him advise clients in respect of claims under construction and operational policies, advising on many substantial energy losses worldwide – both offshore and onshore. He is increasingly advising on renewables claims in particular concerning offshore wind.
His experience of handling marine matters includes handling claims under hull and machinery, mortgagee's interest, war, loss of hire, cargo, charterers' liability, ports and terminals, general liability and protection and indemnity (P&I) policies. Patrick also represents insurers and owners, charterers and terminal operators on shipping disputes and casualties and third party recoveries. Patrick has handled political violence/risk claims for insurers in jurisdictions including the UK, US, Libya, Algeria, Syria, Thailand, Bahrain, India, Pakistan, Kenya, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Afghanistan and Nepal.
Patrick is a regular speaker at many of the leading international marine and energy conferences and co-wrote the first three editions of Good Faith and Insurance Contracts (published by Informa). He is recommended in Chambers Legal Directory in Insurance (band 1) and Shipping (band 2) and is in the Legal 500 hall of fame for shipping.
Work Highlights
Representing construction all risks insurers on claims arising out of the alleged total loss of the Yme platform, one of the largest insurance claims brought in the English courts.
Advising marine liability insurers following the sinking of the vessel Sewol in April 2014 with the loss of 304 passengers and crew.
Advising hull insurers on a constructive total loss claim arising out of the alleged detention of a vessel in Venezuela.
Advising energy liability insurers in relation to claims arising from significant property damage caused by onshore drilling.
Representing hull insurers in proceedings concerning the total loss of the vessel Kapitan Veselkov.
Advising construction all risks insurers on significant claims arising out of onshore and offshore pipeline damage in Asia.
Advising political violence insurers on a number of claims arising from physical damage and business interruption due to the conflict in Syria.
