Property damage and energy disputes
Daniel has extensive experience of acting in property damage claims arising out of explosions, fires and floods. He acts for both claimants and defendants, but often in subrogated claims. Daniel was heavily involved in the litigation arising out of the explosion at the Buncefield Oil Terminal in Hertfordshire, representing Hertfordshire Oil Storage, Chevron and latterly Total and was instructed to defend many of the larger or trickier property damage claims. His property damage practice has developed from there, clients appreciating his hands-on approach and willingness to think around problems. Daniel recognises that property damage claims are typically about achieving a recovery efficiently. He is committed to getting the best commercial result for the client.
Selected Cases
- Cory/ Riverside v Hitachi Zosen – damage to an electrical turbine as a result of a failure in design and operation of safe electrical islanding
- Valero Energy Limited v B&A Contracts Limited [2020] EWHC 3070 (TCC) – Daniel defended an oil storage tank cleaning contractor against a claim for a contractual indemnity following an explosion at a refinery in Pembrokeshire.
- Hiscox v Precious Marble and TPN Electrical [2018] EWHC 3585 (TCC) – Daniel defended electrical contractors in respect of a claim for property damage arising out of an escape of water followed by a fire.
- Endeavour drilling – Daniel acted for a drilling company in a claim arising out of damage to electricity cables.
- Prezzo v High Point Estates [2018] EWHC 1851 (TCC) – Daniel acted for Prezzo in this dispute as to the application and scope of the principle in Berni Inns.
- SFS Fire Services v Ashworth Frazer Ltd – Daniel acted for the defendant in respect of a claim relating to flooding of the archive of the Motor Manufacturers.
- Hufford v Samsung Electronics (UK) Ltd [2014] EWHC 2956 (TCC); [2014] 1 BLR 634 – Daniel acted for the defendant in respect of an allegedly defective fridge-freezer which it was determined had not caused a fire.
- Triumph Motorcycles – Daniel was instructed on behalf of Triumph Motorcycles to recover losses sustained in a factory fire caused by a petrol fuelling system.
- The Buncefield Incident: Keystone v Total; NPIA v Total; West London Oil Pipelines & United Kingdom Oil Pipelines v Total; A group of 124 different claimants v Total UK Ltd – Between May 2006 and February 2011 Daniel was heavily involved in the litigation arising out of the explosion at the Buncefield Oil Terminal in Hertfordshire. He defended Hertfordshire Oil Storage Ltd and, later, Total in respect of claims for property damage brought by a large number of claimants from individual homeowners through substantial commercial landlords and tenants, through to oil pipeline operators and oil majors.
Awards
Articles
- W&I: an Obvious Buy for a Buyer, as affirmed by Finsbury Foods
- Defending W&I claims: strategic themes illustrated in Finsbury Foods v Axis & Ors
News
- Daniel Shapiro KC and Hamish Fraser act for the successful Defendant in a Commercial Court trial brought against a firm of insurance brokers.
- Daniel Shapiro KC, Michael Harper and Alethea Redfern acted for World Challenge Expeditions Ltd in its successful claim against Zurich Insurance Company Ltd
Events
- Daniel Shapiro KC to speak at the British Insurance Law Association Virtual Lecture
- Daniel Shapiro KC to discuss coverage issues in cyber insurance at Lloyd’s Market Association
Qualifications
- CPE / Diploma in Law (Distinction – Inner Temple Bursary 1997), City University (1997 – 1998)
- BA Hons, Merton College, University of Oxford (1994 – 1997)
- George Webb Medley Prize in Economics, Oxford University (1996)
- Merton College Exhibition (1995 & 1996)
Memberships
- COMBAR
- PNBA
- TECBAR
Rankings
- Daniel is recommended by Chambers & Partners as a leading silk for Professional Negligence, Insurance, and Property Damage.
- Daniel is recommended by Legal 500 as a leading silk for Professional Negligence and Insurance & Reinsurance.
- Daniel is a recommended silk in Who’s Who Legal, for both Professional Negligence and Insurance and Reinsurance.
- Winner: Insurance Junior of the Year, Chambers & Partners Bar Awards 2016.
- Shortlisted: Professional Negligence Junior of the Year, Chambers & Partners Bar Awards 2018 and 2012.
Recommendations
“”Daniel Shapiro is impressive across the board.”… “Daniel Shapiro’s legal knowledge and technical skills are excellent. We can always trust him to provide an educated, realistic and honest opinion on merits and strategy and deliver the message well to the client.”
Chambers & Partners, 2024
‘Danny is bright, exercises good judgement, is approachable, pragmatic and practical where necessary, knows his law and is very easy to deal with. He is liked by clients and his solicitors team and is a fearsome opponent.’
Legal 500, 2024
“Danny is a rising star in this area – he is bright, exercises good judgement, is approachable, pragmatic and practical where necessary, knows his law and is very easy to deal with. He is liked by clients and his solicitors team and is a fearsome opponent.”
Legal 500, 2024
“Daniel is very user-friendly, bright and commercially minded. He gains a detailed understanding of large volumes of documentation quickly. He is always practical and to the point.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
“An extremely impressive all-rounder. Intellectually very strong, he writes thorough and detailed advice, but in a writing style that is nevertheless engaging and accessible. When advising in conference, his ability to set out complex legal arguments and strategy for clients is a particular strength and one that sets him apart from his contemporaries.”
Legal 500, 2022
“A very impressive and persuasive advocate who is completely dedicated to getting the right result for his clients. He is very proactive and user-friendly.” “He’s very popular, effective and produces learned opinions.”
Chambers & Partners, 2021
“Daniel has a very sharp intelligence. His drafting is thorough, and he is very robust in putting forward the best case/defence possible.”
Legal 500, 2021
“He is extremely knowledgeable and is not afraid to make a call and stand behind it.”
Legal 500, 2021
“He is working far beyond his call and seniority.”
Chambers & Partners, 2020
“Good on his feet, good with clients and able to turn things round efficiently.”
Chambers & Partners, 2020
“He is really sharp-witted and excellent in conference; he’s great on the black letter law but has an excellent balance of strategic legal advice and commercial advice.”
Chambers & Partners, 2020
“He is very down to earth and sensible in how he approaches cases, and is persistent in court, in a good way.”
Chambers & Partners, 2020
