Property Damage
Anna’s love of all matters technical means she is ideally suited to property damage cases where causation is in dispute, and in respect of the Insurance Act 2015 being able to grapple with the realistic effect and consequences of allegedly material non-disclosure. She acts regularly for insurers, in relation to both coverage disputes and the substantive policy claims. As the co-author of co-author of Construction Insurance and UK Construction Contracts she also provides opinions in respect of “KC Clauses” to assist in dispute resolution.
Fire – Luxury Home: 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.
Fire – Warehouse: 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.
Fire – Redevelopment of Mill Complex: 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 (adequate) supervision of works.
Fire – Luxury Hotel: Acting for insurer in relation to claim for £8million arising out of a fire at a hotel refurbishment that was nearing completion, where issues as to causation, business interruption, refurbishment costs and betterment.
Storm – Racecourse: Acting for insurer of contractor in relation to works to the roof of the Epsom Racecourse, which was damaged in the course of a storm. Issues of design responsibility, defective workmanship and whether force majeure arose given severity of climatic conditions. Raised issues concerning applicability of CPR Part 36 Rules where value of claim was difficult to ascertain prospectively.
Collapsed Façade Residential: £1.5million claim concerning a retained façade collapse, resulting in complete demolition and rebuilding of listed building in a conservation area. Acted for the sub-contractor (main contractor in liquidation) where no contractual nexus to Claimant, and contested issue of design responsibility. Claimants asserted that the sub-contractor was responsible, statutorily and tortiously, for the design of the demolition and associated works and therefore for the collapse of the façade.
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
Events
- Crown Office Chambers Construction and Arbitration team in the Middle East next week
- Dubai Arbitration Week 2024
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 is very good at explaining difficult nuances in the law and is brilliant at cross-examining.”…”Her ability to understand the most complex technical details with absolute ease is just unbelievable.”
Chambers & Partners, 2025
“Anna Laney is extremely personable.”…”She very quickly imbeds herself in the team and brings out the best in people.”
Chambers & Partners, 2025
“A well-deserved promotion to KC. A joy to work with – hugely commercial and able to engage well with construction clients.”…”One thing that makes Anna stand out is her ability to get most out of the team working through a case. She dives straight in and has a way of bringing out the best of experts and the team working behind a case.”
Legal 500, 2025
“Anna has an intuitive sense and a wealth of knowledge.”…”She is smart, robust, and super user-friendly. Clients love her tenacious approach.”
Legal 500, 2025
“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.”… “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.”…”Anna always gives clear and authoritative advice on case strategy. She has a calm and friendly demeanour.”
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
“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
