Insurance & Reinsurance
Recommended in Legal 500
Crispin’s experience includes coverage disputes, non-disclosure, misrepresentation, notification, aggregation, co-insurance, fraudulent claims, brokers’ duties and the recovery of brokers’ commission. He has particular expertise in policies covering CAR/EAR (and the effect of DE/LEG exclusion clauses), professional indemnity, public, product and employer’s liability. He is regularly instructed in claims involving defective design, workmanship and/or products and fire and water damage.
Crispin is the author of the chapter on Insurance in Emden’s Construction Law.
Selected Cases
- Sky & Mace v Riverstone (CA) [2024] EWCA Civ 1567; [2024] TCLR T1; [2025] Lloyd’s Rep IR 157 and Sky & Mace v Riverstone (Comm Ct) [2023] EWHC 1207 (Comm); [2024] Lloyd’s Rep IR 225 – acting for the policyholder in a 5-week Commercial Court trial and a 4-day appeal to the Court of Appeal in a complex and high value (£150m+) claim under a CAR policy for the cost of remedial works to Europe’s largest flat timber roof at Sky’s global headquarters in West London (and successfully resisting an application to the Supreme Court for permission to appeal). Leading decision on the meaning of ‘damage’, cover for post-expiry deterioration/development of insured damage, investigation costs, and ‘any one event’ aggregation/deductible provisions.
- Party appointed arbitrator in LCIA arbitration concerning the proper interpretation of a cladding exclusion in a PI policy. London seat and English substantive law. 2 day evidential hearing.
- Advising insurers and reinsurers on coverage issues in respect of a £30m fire claim.
- Aspen & Liberty Mutual v Sangster & Annand [2019] Lloyd’s Rep IR 217; 35 Const LJ 200 – obtaining a declaration that insurers had no liability to indemnify the insured contractor in respect of a £9m claim following a fire at a hotel in Scotland said to have been caused by hot works (and successfully resisting an application to the Court of Appeal for permission to appeal).
- Liberty Syndicate Management v Campagna [2011] EWHC 209 (TCC); 27 Const LJ 275 – acting in a multi-million Euro dispute arising from a latent defects insurance scheme for the construction of new houses across Ireland.
- Advising a joint venture contractor in relation to a 20m Euro claim under a project PI policy.
- Acting for the policyholder in a $130m international arbitration concerning a claim under a project all risks policy following hurricane damage to a hotel and condominium development during construction. London seat and substantive law of the Cayman Islands. 2 month evidential hearing.
News
- Chambers & Partners Global Guide 2026 rankings
- Crispin Winser KC to speak at The Society of Construction Law Leeds Annual Conference on 6th March
Articles
- An Exercise in Utility: Liquidators Adjudicating Construction Disputes
- “When Insolvency Trumps Rough Justice: Injunctions and Stays of Execution of Adjudication Proceedings”, The Society of Construction Law
Events
- Crispin Winser KC to speak at The Society of Construction Law Leeds Annual Conference on 6th March
- Crispin Winser KC to speak at Vinson & Elkins Middle East Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure Conference
Qualifications
- Appointed QC (now KC) – 2021
- Registered practitioner in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts – 2013
- Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators – 2007
- MSc Construction Law & Dispute Resolution, King’s College London – 2007
- Called to the Bar, Inner Temple – 2003
- Bar Vocational Course, Inns of Court School of Law – 2003 (Inner Temple Major Scholarship)
- Diploma in Law, City University – 2002 (City University Scholarship)
- BA English & Philosophy, Bristol University – 2000
Memberships
- British Japanese Law Association
- Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb)
- Commercial Bar Association
- LCIA European Users Council
- London Bar Association
- Society of Construction Law (UK & Gulf)
- Technology & Construction Bar Association
Rankings
- Legal 500 2026 London Bar: recommended for Construction, Energy, Insurance & Reinsurance, International Arbitration and Professional Negligence
- Legal 500 2025 Middle East: the English Bar: recommended for Construction
- Chambers UK 2026: recommended for Construction, Construction: Professional Negligence, Energy & Natural Resources and International Arbitration: Construction/Engineering
- Chambers Global 2026: recommended for Construction and Energy & Natural Resources
- Lexology Index 2026: recommended for Construction and Professional Negligence
Recommendations
“Crispin is a stand-out advocate with in-depth knowledge of complicated construction mandates. He sees through the noise to target the key issues in the matter with panache.”…”His cross-examination is so effective, he’s very commercially astute and imposing and he explains complex analysis in a great way.”
Chambers & Partners, 2026
“Crispin is a true gentleman which works in his favour during cross-examination as it catches witnesses off-guard.”…”calm, does well in court, is a good advocate and is definitely someone I will be using in the future.”
Chambers & Partners, 2026
“A brilliant advocate who has the ear of the Court, Crispin is measured but persuasive, and not afraid to take positions when advising.” … “Crispin is the go-to barrister for complex claims, in particular complex coverage claims. His advice is clear, concise, and he cuts through complex issues with ease.” … “meticulous attention to detail…stealth like cross-examination with polite assassination of opposing experts”.
Legal 500, 2026
“Crispin’s cross-examination is very impressive. He is super-cool, calm and collected, and is someone you want on your side.”… He “demonstrates exceptional expertise and a solution-focused approach. He displays a deep understanding of any complexities involved. He’s a valuable asset to any team in an arbitration.” … “Crispin is extremely user-friendly and he really gets involved, being willing to roll up his sleeves and go through the issues.”
Chambers & Partners, 2025
“Crispin is an incredibly talented advocate who is persuasive, calm, and comprehensive, and who delivers oral submissions in a thorough and thoughtful way.”…”One of the best in the game. He has a no-nonsense style which gets the job [done] very effectively but without unnecessary drama.”
Legal 500, 2025
“Crispin Winser is an exceptionally hard-working and brilliant barrister” … “His expertise in international construction arbitrations is exceptional and he is clear, concise and extremely convincing.”
Chambers & Partners, 2024
“Crispin is clever, works hard and fast, has clarity of thought and a pleasant demeanour. He is a spectacular advocate.”…”Crispin can dissect complex legal issues and identify key arguments and strategies, and his extensive knowledge and meticulous ensure he can build a strong case.”
Legal 500, 2024
“Crispin is an excellent advocate, balancing a willingness to investigate matters fully to gain a mastery of the details, with a firm eye on the core matters in dispute to provide practical, commercial advice and incisive cross-examination.”…”Extremely knowledgeable and pragmatic, explains clearly and concisely. Not just the law itself but strategically how to reach the desired objective.”
Legal 500, 2024
“He’s just always composed, really, really smart and very measured. He delivers beautiful advocacy which is a pleasure to listen to.” … “Crispin is an excellent and approachable leader.” … “Crispin raises the game because he will think of every possible argument, which makes him a challenging opponent.” … “His written work is extremely good and he has shown himself to be a very adept advocate.”
Chambers & Partners, 2023
“He is extremely intelligent, quick and efficient, and his advocacy style is calm, measured but forceful when necessary.” … “Crispin is excellent” … “Crispin is an extremely bright barrister who solicitors would highly recommend in international arbitration. He is able to process and distill large volumes of information which he is able to assess quickly to get to the nub of the matter. He retains information at his fingertips and when asked for his views he is very quick to provide sound, reasoned and practical advice.”
Legal 500, 2023
“He is a good sounding board for strategies and excellent on his feet where he is very calm and assured.” … “A very clinical and really compelling advocate.” … “His strengths lie in quickly grasping the matter of the dispute and delivering fast, reliable advice.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
“Crispin is frighteningly bright. He has a forensic mind which allows him to see through the chaff and get to the nub of any issue quickly. His advocacy style is calm, measured but insistent. Very effective.” … “Simply superb. Very responsive, helpful and suitably aggressive when he needs to be. A dedicated expert in his field. Richly deserved elevation to silk.” … “An excellent and polished advocate who works exceptionally hard to master the papers and be fully on top of the brief.”
Legal 500, 2022
“Reasonable, on top of the detail, commercial and an amazing advocate – particularly at cross-examination.”
Legal 500 EMEA, 2021
“A highly recommended dispute resolution practitioner who excels at assisting construction and energy sector clients in complex proceedings.”
Who's Who Legal 2021
