Insurance & Reinsurance
Crispin’s experience includes coverage disputes, non-disclosure, misrepresentation, late / non-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 co-author (with Sir Antony Edwards-Stuart) of the chapter on Insurance in Emden’s Construction Law.
Selected Cases
- Sky & Mace v Riverstone Managing Agency & ors [2023] EWHC 1207 (Comm); [2024] Lloyd’s Rep IR 225 – acting for the policyholder in a complex and high value 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.
- Party appointed arbitrator in LCIA arbitration concerning the proper interpretation of a cladding exclusion in a PI policy.
- 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 – acting for insurers in the Commercial Court obtaining a declaration of 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).
- Acting for insurers in the Mercantile Court in relation to the disputed avoidance of a property policy for misrepresentation and breach of warranty and the alleged negligence of the brokers.
- Acting for a policyholder in a coverage dispute under a Public and Products Liability policy.
- Acting for insurers in the Mercantile Court in relation to the disputed avoidance of a policy for arson.
- 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.
- Acting for a local authority policyholder in relation to its insurer’s refusal to indemnify a £1m public liability claim.
- 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 in the Caribbean.
- Advising insurers in relation to their potential exposure under historic PL policies to indemnify claims made by victims of alleged child abuse.
- Advising insurers in relation to apparently fraudulent claims under a buildings policy.
News
- Crown Office Chambers recognised by Legal 500 EMEA 2024 for construction expertise in the Middle East
- Adjudicator’s decisions unenforceable as they did not relate to “construction operations”
Events
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
Qualifications
- Registered practitioner in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
- Major Scholar, Inner Temple
- MSc Construction Law & Dispute Resolution, King’s College London
- Dip Law, City University
- BA, Bristol University
Memberships
- British Japanese Law Association
- Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb)
- Commercial Bar Association
- LCIA European Users Council
- London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association
- Society of Construction Law (UK & Gulf)
- Technology & Construction Bar Association
Rankings
- Legal 500 2024 London Bar: recommended for Construction, Energy, International Arbitration and Professional Negligence
- Legal 500 2024 Middle East: the English Bar: recommended for Construction
- Chambers UK 2024: recommended for Construction, International Arbitration: Construction/Engineering and Professional Negligence: Technology & Construction
- Chambers Global 2024: recommended for Construction
- Who’s Who Legal 2024: national leader and global leader for Construction
Recommendations
“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.”
Legal 500, 2024
“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.”
Legal 500, 2024
“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
“One of the standout performers among senior juniors at the Construction Bar. He is thorough, well prepared, and an effective advocate.” … “He’s considered, calm under pressure and able to get up to speed quickly.”
Chambers & Partners, 2021
