Recent News
Real-time updates on the issues impacting your coverage. From landmark case decisions to firm announcements and media commentary, we keep policyholders informed on what is happening right now.
Browse our latest news, press releases, and firm updates below.
Slowly but surely: policyholders make progress in their fight to recover Covid-19 BI losses from insurers
Gatwick Investment Ltd & Ors v Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe SE [2024] EWHC 83 (Comm) Introduction Judgment has now been handed down following an eight-day preliminary issues hearing in October/November 2023 at which a number of different businesses, from a variety of industries, including bowling alleys, theatres, hotels, pubs, retail stores and a race course, […]
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Fenchurch Law bolsters insurance disputes team in London with new hires
Fenchurch Law has announced the expansion of its coverage disputes team in London with two new hires; Jessica Chappell and Isabel Becker. Jessica Chappell joins as a Senior Associate, bringing with her over eight years’ experience working across complex and high-value commercial litigation matters, including contractual and shareholder disputes, professional negligence claims, coverage disputes and […]
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Various Eateries -v- Allianz – Court of Appeal prevents access to a different outcome
Background The Court of Appeal has handed down judgment in Various Eateries v Allianz, one of the trio of cases along with Stonegate Pub Co v MS Amlin & Ors and Greggs v Zurich heard before Mr Justice Butcher in June 2022. This group of cases, which considered issues arising out of the Marsh Resilience […]
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Condonation and Aggregation – Decision by the Court of Appeal in Axis Specialty Europe S.E v Discovery Land [2024] EWCA Civ 7
This is the first Court of Appeal decision as to the meaning of “condoning” dishonest acts under the SRA Minimum Terms. As a reminder, solicitors’ professional indemnity policies must comply with the Minimum Terms. Under those terms insurers can decline to cover a claim which arises from dishonesty only if it had been committed or […]
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Too Hot to Handle: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Hot Works Conditions (But Were Afraid to Ask)
Introduction Hot Works Conditions are a staple of contractors’ public liability policies. They require certain precautions to be taken before, during and after the carrying out of Hot Work activities, each of which are designed to reduce the risk of a fire breaking out. The language and requirements of Hot Works Conditions vary across the […]
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Broker Negligence on BI Policy Advice
A recent ruling of the Commercial Court held brokers Heath Crawford Ltd (“HC”) liable to pay a former client £2.3 million in damages, for uninsured loss resulting from negligent advice on placement of a business interruption (“BI”) insurance policy. Infinity Reliance Ltd v Heath Crawford Ltd [2023] EWHC 3022 (Comm) The Claim Following a fire […]
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SDV Southeast Attorneys Named as 2023 Top Lawyer Honorees by Naples Illustrated
SDV’s Southeast Office was bestowed a great local honor recently. Gregory Podolak, Kelly Johnson, Holly Rice, and Stephanie Giagnorio were named as 2023 Top Lawyers in Southwest Florida by Naples Illustrated. They were nominated in the insurance law category and were featured in the magazine’s September 2023 edition. We are proud of your accomplishments and dedication to representing […]
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Terrorism Law Reform: Compliance and Coverage for Property Owners
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill was confirmed by the King’s Speech on 7 November 2023 for the legislative agenda in the year ahead. Also known as ‘Martyn’s Law’ in tribute to Martyn Hett, who was tragically killed in the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017, the proposals are aimed at enhancing security and mitigating risks […]
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Rome wasn’t built in a day – first thoughts on the Bletchley Park AI Safety Summit
The dust is beginning to settle on the much hyped (albeit nebulously orientated) Bletchley Park Artificial Intelligence Summit. Although it will take time for meaningful directives to filter out of the sleekly edited videos and beaming group photos of world leaders, some high-level observations can be made. The first thing to note is the inherent […]
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