Insurance & Reinsurance
David has had a wide experience of insurance-related matters, in particular, coverage disputes arising out of non-disclosure or alleged breaches of conditions precedent under the policy. He has experience of claims which pre-date the Insurance Act 2015 (although such claims are increasingly rare) as well as claims arising since that act came into force. He is also experienced in claims involving consumers under the Consumer Insurance Disclosure and Representations (CIDRA) Act 2012.
Selected Cases
David’s experience includes:
- He is currently instructed in respect of a number of claims on behalf of insurers whereby there is a dispute concerning the insured’s right to an indemnity under a policy of insurance. David’s expertise covers most types of policy, but he is currently instructed in a number of disputes under property or contents cover and which involve:
- Arguments concerning misrepresentation or non-disclosure and an insurer’s right to avoid the policy, including claims involving fraud.
- Arguments regarding the construction of policy terms (both in respect of the extent of what the insurer has agreed to insure, or the amount of cover available).
- Acted at mediation on behalf of an insurer who was the victim of a fraudulent claim under a policy, which resulted in the insured agreeing to pay a portion of the insurer’s costs.
- Acted for the insurer in connection with a claim concerning misrepresentation as to the purpose to which a property was used when a policy was taken out, and which was discovered following a fire.
- Acted as junior counsel to Andrew Rigney KC on behalf of insurers in relation to a claim in the TCC pleaded at in excess of £6m. The claim arose out of a fire during renovation works, and involved issues of non-disclosure, misrepresentation and breach of condition precedent under an insurance policy to which it was alleged the Consumer Insurance Disclosure and Representations (CIDRA) Act 2012 applied.
- Settled the Defence on behalf of a major insurer and acted at mediation in a claim involving non-disclosure, misrepresentation and breach of condition precedent in relation to commercial premises damaged by flooding.
- Acted (led by Daniel Shapiro KC) in a leading case relating to the limits and proper interpretation of an alleged aggregation clause at first instance and in the Court of Appeal: Spire Healthcare Limited v Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Limited[2022] EWCA Civ 17.
- Acted (led by Ben Quiney KC) in a claim in the Commercial Court relating to the proper interpretation and effect of a Hot Works exclusion clause.
- Acting for insurers in relation to a claim arising out of a failure to comply with conditions precedent in relation to the heating of warehouse premises which were damaged by an escape of water from a sprinkler system. The case involved a number of issues of insurance law, as well as several procedural issues, and the claim was discontinued shortly after service of the Defence drafted by David.
- Advising on the application of the Construction Plant-Hire model conditions in cases involving the alleged negligence of a crane operator and construction machinery destroyed by fire.
- Settling the pleadings in a relation to a claim involving material non-disclosure and breach of warranty in relation to losses to neighbouring property arising out of a fire at industrial premises.
News
- Crown Office Chambers feature in three of The Lawyer’s Top 20 cases of 2025
- Members of Crown Office Chambers recognised as Market Leaders in Who’s Who Legal
Articles
- Artificial Intelligence: a move towards EU legislation
- McCulloch: the meaning of “reasonable alternative treatment”
Events
Qualifications
- BA (Hons) (Cantab)
- Bar Vocational Course: Outstanding
- Lord Hardwicke Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn
- Lord Denning Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn
Publications & Seminars
David regularly gives talks and seminars. Recent topics have included:
- The law of informed consent after McCulloch.
- Practical issues arising under the Consumer Protection Act.
- The impact of the decisions in Wilkes and Gee v DePuy.
- Updates on limitation and procedural issues arising in multi-party claims and claims for contribution.
- Qualified One Way Costs Shifting: how the rules are working. The road to an effective Counter-Schedule.
- The law on consent after Montgomery: changes for Claimants and Defendants.
In addition, David is an Associate Editor of Emden’s Construction Law and edits chapters concerning Termination of contracts (Ch 16) and a Contractor’s obligations as to completion (Ch 9).
Memberships
- TECBAR
- LCLCBA
- PNBA
Recommendations
“David is outstanding, very user-friendly and he has phenomenal attention to detail.” He” is incredible junior counsel who delves into every issue of a case.”…”David is a great opponent who is highly courteous.”
Chambers & Partners, 2025
“David is a very efficient and detailed barrister.”…”He is very approachable and manages experts and clients very well to achieve the best possible outcomes.”…”Clients trust his judgement entirely.”
Chambers & Partners, 2025
“David is a very impressive advocate. Always thoroughly prepared, fantastic dealing with liability or quantum. Excellent knowledge of the law and gives sound advice considering all the risks.”…”Brilliant in providing very clear advice and cutting through to the central issues. An expert in product liability claims and clearly a KC in the making.”
Legal 500, 2025
“His level of detail is truly exceptional. David is a fabulously safe pair of hands for all cases with all clients.”
Chambers & Partners, 2024
“Brilliant in providing very clear advice and cutting through to the central issues. An expert in product liability claims and clearly a KC in the making.”
Legal 500, 2024
“Expert in preparing suites of documents and works very hard to deliver what the client needs.”…”David is an incredibly capable barrister with an enviable command of the law.”
Legal 500, 2024
“A brilliant advocate who is extremely personable, very easy to get along with, super intelligent and super sharp.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
“David is incredibly intelligent, and instills confidence in clients with his manner and reasoned, coherent advice.”
Legal 500, 2022
“He is incredibly good on his feet and his technical knowledge of the law is really good.”; “He is loved by his clients and has an excellent bedside manner.”; “He’s very, very bright, incredibly thorough and has great attention to detail.”
Chambers & Partners, 2021
“He has that stellar combination of determination, focus and drive balanced with a calm and reassuring approach.”… “An ideal choice for mastering the evidence in tricky cases and testing witnesses in a fair and personable manner.”
Legal 500, 2021
“An excellent barrister who is very detail-oriented and will always go the extra mile to help the client.”
Chambers & Partners, 2020
“He is absolutely brilliant in court. He really knows his stuff.”
Chambers & Partners, 2019
“Among the most impressive barristers in the field”
Legal 500, 2019 (Product Liability)