Insurance & Reinsurance
Alex advises on and litigates all insurance-related disputes, including avoidance of cover (non-disclosure, fair presentation, notification, moral hazard etc); subrogated recovery claims; and issues of scope of cover.
He is currently instructed on coverage disputes involving variously: a catastrophic flood at a West London property, an arson attack on mobile plant, the negligent design of building cladding, and a fire caused to a fast food outlet.
In 2018 Alex was instructed (led by Paul Reed KC) to advise the owner of a substantial property in Lancashire which had suffered a catastrophic fire causing losses of £5m. The claim against the property insurers was compromised in 2019 following the issue of TCC proceedings and a mediation.
Selected Cases
Civil/Insurance Fraud
Alex has extensive experience of defending fraudulent and exaggerated claims. He is well versed in the tactical considerations relating to the deployment of surveillance and social media evidence. He has a particular interest in chronic pain conditions, and the potential interplay with malingering which such cases can involve.
Alex is frequently instructed on questions of fundamental dishonesty for the purpose of disapplying QOCS, striking out under s.57 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 and / or seeking indemnity costs. He has recently successfully appealed a failure by a trial judge to disapply QOCS when the court concluded that the defendant had not run over the claimant’s foot as had been claimed.
Alex’s civil/insurance fraud practice includes:
- Employer’s liability fraud
- Public liability fraud
- Motor Fraud (both injury & non-injury)
- Occupational disease fraud
Selected Cases
- Curling v Olver (2019) – Maidstone CC (HHJ Backhouse): successful appeal from a refusal by a first instance judge to make a finding of fundamental dishonesty.
- Ormandy v MDS (2022) – Southend CC (HHJ Duddridge): court found that the claimant had been fundamentally dishonest in exaggerating his vibrating tool use in a HAVS claim.
News
- Success for Alexander Macpherson in High Court mesothelioma trial
- Success for Alexander Macpherson in £2m infectious disease claim
Articles
- Success for Alexander Macpherson in High Court mesothelioma trial
- Alexander Macpherson represents insurers in tranche of claims considering underpayment of issue fees in NIHL claims
Events
Qualifications
- Astbury Scholar, Middle Temple
- Diploma in Law, City University
- English Literature, Oriel College, Oxford
Memberships
- PIBA
- PNBA
- TECBAR
Recommendations
“He has an incisive ability to get straight to the heart of an issue and is calmly authoritative in conference and in court.”
Chambers & Partners, 2024
“Alexander is forensic and an excellent communicator of complex issues – he is superb at unpicking difficult liability and causation issues.”
Legal 500, 2024
“Alexander is an excellent advocate. His advice is balanced, clear and concise.” “He is a pleasure to work with.” “Alexander has excellent technical knowledge in occupational disease cases.” “He remains calm under pressure and is personable with clients.”
Chambers & Partners, 2023
“Alexander is exceptionally good with complex and novel procedural issues.”
Legal 500, 2023
“He is thorough, robust and can turn around defences and advice very quickly. He is very impressive.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
“He is able to identify and navigate through challenging causation issues in an effective and pragmatic way.”
Legal 500, 2022
“He is a skilful and thorough cross-examiner.”; “A phenomenally talented individual.”
Chambers & Partners, 2021
“Able to navigate through difficult issues in an effective and pragmatic way.”
Legal 500, 2021
“He’s really good – the quality of his drafting is excellent.”
Chambers & Partners, 2020
“He’s a very, very good advocate.”
Chambers & Partners, 2020
“He has an impressively deep understanding of areas stretching beyond asbestos diseases, offering enviable expertise in cases involving noise-induced hearing loss and hand-arm vibration syndrome.”
Chambers & Partners, 2020
“He excels in cases involving challenging quantum issues and contested expert evidence.“
Legal 500, 2020
