Property Damage
Anna is instructed regularly by insurers in relation to property damage claims, and she has particular experience in relation to fire and flood claims. She is co-author of Construction Insurance and UK Construction Contracts with Roger ter Haar KC and Marshall Levine, the 3rd Edition.
Examples of recent work include:
- Acting on behalf of floor cleaning specialist, in relation to a devastating fire at a property in Little Venice that caused £2 million worth of damage, the cause of which was in dispute. It was alleged that Anna’s client negligently permitted water to escape from his floor cleaning activities into the switch panels below, which resulted in a resistive failure some seven days later. The claim was dismissed.
- Acting for insurer in relation to avoidance of insurance policy in consequence of insured’s non-disclosure of a previous fire. Dispute concerns the interpretation and application of an insured’s disclosure obligations under the Insurance Act 2015.
- Acting for an insurer on behalf of developer against novated architect where it is alleged the defective roof design resulted in water ingress necessitating wholesale replacement of the roofs to four office blocks.
- Acting for an insurer in relation to a claim arising out of a fire, where policy issues concerning the insured’s intent as regards redevelopment of the site as at the date of the fire, where issues of fraud arise.
- Acting for insurer in relation to the successful defence of claim against service engineer whose acts / omissions were alleged to have caused fire. Led by Andrew Bartlett KC.
- Acting for insurer in relation to fire at a converted mill complex, which devastated entire building within hours of propagation. Claim in excess of £8million. Allegations of professional negligence against architect in relation to design (engineered fire solution, and detailing) and against architect and employer’s agent in relation to supervision of works (settled at mediation).
- Acting for insurer in relation to claim for £8million arising out of a fire at a hotel refurbishment that was nearing completion.
- Acting for insurer in relation to claim for £600,000 where damage alleged to have been caused by the negligent design, manufacture and fitting of gas fires in a private London property. Arguments about causation and foreseeability of loss.
- Acting for insurer in relation to flooding of a hotel due to the failure of a push-fit plumbing fitting which resulted in losses in excess of £500,000.
Selected Cases
- Hiscox Insurance Company v Mr Ismail Oral (t/a Precious Marble) & TPN Electrical [2018] EWHC 3585 (TCC) – concerned cause of fire originating in switch panels that resulted in losses of £2m.
- Amsprop Ltd v ITW Ltd [2009] EWHC 2689 (TCC) – Concerned proof of cause of fire at Hard Rock Café, where competing causes alleged.
- Landfast (Anglia) Ltd v Cameron Taylor One Ltd [2008] EWHC 343 (TCC); 117 Con LR 53 – Concerns recoverability of damages where loss suffered by assignee rather than assignor.
Awards
News
- Crown Office Chambers recognised by Legal 500 EMEA 2024 for construction expertise in the Middle East
- New Silk – Anna Laney
Events
- Dubai Arbitration Week, 14-18 November 2022
- Anna Laney to speak at the Young Bar Annual Workshop – The 21st Century Advocate
Articles
- Anna Laney writes article for ICES Construction Law Review 2014 entitled ‘Adjudication: Quick & Filthy’
- Adjudication: a Pioneering decision – by Anna Laney October 2013
Memberships
- COMBAR
- LCLCBA
- TECBAR
Recommendations
“Anna Laney is the real deal: her ability to grasp the nuances of a technical issue and then to deliver in cross-examination is second to none. She is also a pleasure to work with.”… “She’s wonderful – very strong on her feet, tough to beat, she really gets into the cases, and clients and lawyers love working with her.”
Chambers & Partners, 2024
“Anna is extremely talented. She is the most inclusive and team-focused barrister: her manner with everyone ranging from the client to the most junior member of the team, is excellent, and a skill that is vastly overlooked. To boot, her legal ability really is second to none: her advocacy, both complex in its approach, but succinct and to the point, really is her strength.”
Legal 500, 2024
“Highly experienced and knowledgeable. A formidable advocate and negotiator. Excellent at explaining to instructing solicitors and clients in a clear, accessible way.”
Legal 500, 2024
“Anna is an exceptional construction barrister. She is highly responsive, pragmatic and commercial.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
“Highly competent, capable, dependable and fantastic to work with. KC quality work and knowledge. Tougher than the rest.”
Legal 500, 2022
“Extremely thorough and knowledgeable, wholly committed to the case at hand. Very impressive delivery in court and personable when dealing with instructing solicitors and clients”
Legal 500, 2021
“Anna is an exceptional construction barrister. She is highly responsive, pragmatic and commercial.”; “She is extremely knowledgeable regarding construction and insurance issues, and also great to deal with.”
Chambers & Partners, 2021
“Anna always gives clear and authoritative advice on case strategy. She has a calm and friendly demeanour.”
Legal 500, 2021
“She is incredibly knowledgeable in construction disputes. I have been very impressed with both Anna’s technical knowledge and legal advice.”; “She is outstanding with clients and really puts them at their ease, giving a firm impression that she is on their side.”
Chambers & Partners, 2020
“A highly regarded junior.”
Legal 500, 2020
“In court she was superb: in control and very attentive to the judge’s requirements.”
Chambers & Partners, 2019
“Enthusiastic, hard-working and a tremendous team player. She rolls up her sleeves and gets involved. She’s a very effective advocate…Proactive, commercial, clever and resourceful.”
Chambers & Partners, 2018
