Barrister Profile

Profile

Principal areas of practice are insurance and reinsurance, professional negligence (relating in particular to insurance and reinsurance brokers). Has specialised in these areas for over 20 years and developed a detailed understanding of the practices of the London and international insurance and reinsurance markets.   Has also been involved in other types of commercial cases, including in particular those relating to energy disputes (covering the supply of gas, oil and electricity).

Colin was shortlisted for Insurance Silk of the Year at the Chambers Bar Awards 2009, an Award which he won in 2007.  He has been shortlisted for this Award in each of the five years since the Chambers Bar Awards began.

Arbitration/Mediation

Has acted as both advocate and arbitrator in insurance, reinsurance and other commercial arbitrations.  Has advised and assisted solicitors in the mediation of cases.  Has acted as a mediator in insurance and professional negligence disputes and has a good record of achieving a settlement between the parties through the use of innovative approaches to the mediation process.  Has acted as a neutral evaluator.

Recommendations

"Fantastically clever and incisive", his skill lies in his ability to master a very complicated brief and present it in a common-sense manner which is entirely understandable to the court"
- Insurance, Chambers and Partners  

"One of the market's high-flyers. He wins plaudits for his excellent judgement and for his knack of predicting outcomes"
- Insurance, Chambers & Partners

"Receives more solicitor recommendations than any other barrister in this field. His advice is said to be 'first-rate: always to the point and never unnecessarily complicated'"
- Insurance & Reinsurance, Legal 500

Appointments

2008
Authorised to sit as Deputy High Court Judge (QBD)

2007
Re-elected Head of Chambers
Appointed Director of Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund Ltd

2003
Elected Bencher of Middle Temple

2002
Elected Head of Chambers

1996
Appointed Recorder

1995
Appointed Queen's Counsel

1993
Appointed Assistant Recorder

1979
Tenant of Devereux Chambers

1977
Called to the Bar

Publications

Editor of "The Law of Reinsurance" (OUP, 2005) and is a contributor to "Insurance Disputes" (LLP, 2003). Has frequently presented papers at seminars on insurance, reinsurance and professional negligence topics.

Professional Membership

Member of Commercial Bar Association, London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association, Midland Circuit and Middle Temple.

For Middle Temple, has engaged in Advocacy Training programmes which have encompassed training students, pupils, new practitioners and new trainers during residential and non-residential weekend programmes and evening workshops.

Recent Reported Cases

These include:

• Bedfordshire Police Authority v Constable [2009] Lloyd's Rep IR 39, [2009] EWCA Civ 64
• Brit v Grant Thornton [2006] Lloyd's Rep IR 487, [2007] Lloyd's Rep IR 343, [2008] Lloyd's Rep IR 601
• CGU International Insurance v Astrazeneca [2007] 1 Lloyd's Rep 142
• Durham v BAI (Run Off) Ltd; Edwards v Excess Insurance Co Ltd; (1) Akzo Nobel UK Ltd (2) Amec Plc v Excess Insurance Co Ltd [2009] 2 All ER 26
• Gater v NAK Naftogaz [2007] 1 Lloyd's Rep 522, [2008] 2 Lloyd's Rep. 295, [2008] 1 Lloyd's Rep 479
• Hewden Tower Cranes v Wolffkran [2007] 2 Lloyd's Rep 138
• ING v R+V Versicherung [2006] Lloyd's Rep IR 653
• King v Brandywine [2005] Lloyd's Rep IR 509
• Mopani Copper Mines plc v Millennium Underwriting Ltd [2009] Lloyd's Rep IR 158
• Pearson Education v CPL [2007] BLR 324
• R+V Versicherung v Risk Insurance & Reinsurance Solutions [2005] EWHC 2586 (Comm), [2006] Lloyd's Rep IR 253, [2006] EWHC (Comm) 42, 1458, 1705, [2006] EWCA 314, 1234, [2007] EWHC 79 (Comm)
• Outokumpu Stainless Steel v Axa Global Risks (UK) [2008] Lloyd's Rep IR 147
• Rendall v Combined Insurance [2006] Lloyd's Rep IR 732

• Tesco Stores Ltd v David Constable [2008] Lloyd's Rep IR 302, 636

Education

1973-1976 Clare College, Cambridge. Law Tripos 1 - 2:1, Law Tripos 2 - First