Henk maintains a broad commercial practice, with a particular focus on Construction & Engineering, Insurance, Product Liability, Professional Liability and Property Damage. He also has experience of group litigation and claims involving jurisdictional or conflict of law issues.
Henk is ranked as a “Leading Junior” in Construction and a “Rising Star” in Professional Negligence (Legal500, 2026). In previous editions, he has been described as “very knowledgeable and helpful”; showing “great attention to detail”; “very good on cross-examination”; and “very clever” with a “knack of being able to simplify difficult and complex concepts”.
Examples of his work include:
- Acting as sole counsel for an architectural services provider in its successful defence of a multi-party negligence claim (c. £900k) arising from design and construction works relating to a residential care home: Firdous v ED & Ors[2025] EWHC 90 (TCC).
- Acting as sole counsel for the owner and developer of five residential blocks (c. 150 flats) in multi-party TCC proceedings (c. £10m+) which includes a Part 20 claim against an insulation manufacturer under s.149 of the BSA 2022.
- Acting for and advising subrogated insurers in group actions (aggregate value £10m+) relating to the cancellation of school trips during the covid-19 pandemic.
- Acting as sole counsel for groups of leaseholders in claims arising from fire safety defects at major residential developments, including under s. 123 of the BSA 2022.
- Acting in a jurisdiction dispute concerning the test for “domicile” in the context of Reg. (EC) No. 1215/2012: Stait v Cosmos Insurance Ltd [2022] EWCA Civ 1429.
Henk maintains an academic interest in the law: he is currently editing Chapter 11 (Liability for Design) of Emden’s Construction Law and is also writing a book on the BSA 2022.
Commercial
Henk has experience of a range of commercial disputes, including those arising from the sale of goods and services (b2b and b2c), agency agreements, indemnity agreements, force majeure, unjust enrichment and contribution claims. He also has experience relating to the enforcement of debts, including where there are issues of insolvency. Henk is very familiar with the conflict of laws (including jurisdictional and applicable law issues) and he is well-equipped to act in claims which have an international dimension. Henk authored chapter 1 (“regulated travel arrangements”) and chapter 11 (“security and insolvency”) of Saggerson on Travel Law and Litigation (7th Ed) and he is often instructed in cases which have a travel regulatory angle.
Selected Cases
- Acting for the defendant in a claim for deceit relating to allegedly fraudulent valuations of payment applications across various construction projects.
- Acting for a well-known luxury travel business in a contractual dispute (c. $850k) relating to the Titanic submersible expedition operated by OceanGate Inc.
- Acting for a national airline in a dispute (c. €300k) with an online booking agent relating to unpaid commissions allegedly owing under an incentive agreement.
- Acting for the defendant in a claim involving an alleged assumption of responsibility for a valuable consignment of branded sportswear and an allegedly negligent failure to safeguard those goods following the arrest of the freight forwarder’s agent (claim dismissed following a seven-day trial, led by Laura Johnson KC).
- Acting for an aircraft charterer in a contractual dispute with an airline operator (c.$300k) arising from non-performance of commercial flights and force majeure.
- Acting for the claimant in arbitral proceedings (c. €360k) relating to the proper construction of an agency agreement.
- Acting for a tour operator in a claim for an indemnity (c. £8m) under an agency agreement entered with a foreign supplier of accommodation services.
- Acting for the defendant in a group action relating to alleged service failures at a resort developed by entities associated with David Ames.
- Acting for an insurer in a group action (c. £10m) relating to the termination of holiday contracts during the covid-19 pandemic (led by Sarah Prager KC).
- Acting for a judgment creditor in the enforcement of an adjudication award (c.£800k) (full recovery achieved shortly before the hearing of a freezing order).
- Acting for a boiler manufacturer in proceedings relating to the enforcement of an arbitration award under the Arbitration Act 1996 and whether the order for recovery should be set aside.
Construction & Engineering
Henk is ranked as a “Leading Junior” in Construction (Legal500, 2026) and as a “Rising Star” in Professional Negligence (Legal500, 2025-2026). He is regularly instructed to act in a wide range of construction disputes. His practice includes disputes relating to payment, delay, building safety defects and various other forms of defective performance. Henk is currently editing Chapter 11 (Liability for Design) of Emden’s Construction Law and he is also writing a book on the DPA 1972 and BSA 2022. He is frequently instructed in claims relating to, or arising out of, building safety defects, including, in particular, fire safety related defects.
Selected Cases
- Acting for the defendant building contractor in TCC proceedings (c. £3.5m) relating to alleged defects in the design and construction of a bespoke and high-value residential premises (JCT Intermediate Building Contract with Contractor’s Design).
- Acting for an architectural services provider in its successful defence of a multi-party negligence claim (c. £900k) arising from design and construction works relating to a residential care home: Firdous v ED & Ors[2025] EWHC 90 (TCC).
- Acting for a resident management company in an application for a remediation order arising from fire safety and structural defects in a large residential development
- Acting for and advising the owner and developer of five residential blocks (c. 150 flats) in multi-party TCC proceedings (c. £10m+) which includes a P20 claim against a major insulation manufacturer under section 149 of the BSA 2022.
- Acting for and advising the owner and developer of two residential blocks (c. 50 flats) in a fire safety defect claim in the TCC (c.£8m) brought under the DPA 1972.
- Acting for the main contractor in adjudication proceedings (£1m+) against an architectural subcontractor relating to defective works and significant water ingress at a well-known sports venue.
- Acting for a local council in adjudication proceedings relating to alleged non-compliance with the instruction and valuation procedures under a NEC4 Term Service Contract and alleged misrepresentations during tender period (suggested value £1m+).
- Acting for the freehold owner of a residential apartment block in a claim (c. £2m) brought under a collateral warranty for failure to identify patent defects (including fire safety defects) during development works.
- Acting for a façade subcontractor in TCC proceedings (c. £800k) relating to alleged cracking in the rendered façade of a major commercial office building.
- Acting for groups of leaseholders in various claims arising from fire safety defects in residential developments across the country, including in FTT proceedings.
- Acting for a developer in adjudication proceedings (c. £7m) relating to fire safety defects at a large residential development.
- Acting for a building owner in adjudication proceedings (c. £2m) relating to defective waterproofing works and flooding damage at a major commercial office building.
Insurance & Reinsurance
The vast majority of Henk’s work involves insurers. He is instructed by or on behalf of insurers in relation to policy coverage and indemnity issues, as well as in subrogated recovery actions arising out of property damage, product defects or construction and development works.
Selected Cases
- Advising on a potential coverage defence to a claim (£multi-million) notified following a major fire at a large residential development.
- Advising on a range of possible coverage defences to cladding-related claims notified under PI policies, including, inter alia, defences relating to material non-disclosure, prior event exclusions, block notifications, strict liability exclusions and scope of cover.
- Advising an insurer on various issues arising out of a portfolio of claims relating to covid-19 and school trip cancellations (aggregate value of +£10m).
- Acting for a developer in a coverage dispute (+£5m) under a Building Defects Insurance Policy (the underlying defects relating to alleged deficiencies in the external wall system of a residential development).
- Advising on the proper interpretation of a Contractors All Risk policy and the availability of a coverage defence in the context of a claim brought directly by a third-party under the Third Parties (Rights Against Insurers) Act 2010.
- Acting for insurers in a coverage dispute arising under a Breach of Planning & Lack of Building Regulations Consent Insurance Policy.
- Acting for an individual in a claim arising from a housefire, which involved, inter alia, a coverage dispute and (after acceptance of coverage) an alleged failure by the insurer to perform its obligations under the policy.
Product Liability
Henk has experience of claims brought pursuant to the CPA Act 1987, in contract and in tort. His practice in this area is complimented by his experience in Construction, Insurance, and Property damage. He frequently acts in cases where defective products are alleged to have caused fire or flooding damage to residential and commercial premises. He is also well-equipped to advise in product liability disputes involving complex personal injury; he has been recognised in the directories as a “Rising Star” in Personal Injury for several years. His experience includes group personal injury litigation (c. 230+ claimants) involving alleged food safety issues.
Selected Cases
- Advising a well-known home appliance manufacturer on a claim involving a major residential housefire allegedly caused partly by a defect in the manufacturer’s product.
- Advising pre-action on multi-party contribution proceedings relating to a defective pipe component which caused property damage to various residential premises.
- Acting in a complex personal claim arising from the sudden explosion of a family’s motor vehicle when driving on the highway (sole Counsel), with issues in dispute including whether the amended definition of “importer” under the CPA 1987 applies to cases where the defective product was imported into the UK prior to IP completion day.
- Acting for a developer in multi-party proceedings which includes a claim brought pursuant to section 149 of the BSA 2022 (liability in relation to cladding products).
- Acting for a water supply company in a claim involving allegedly catastrophic flooding damage to residential premises, with the flooding allegedly caused by defective non-return valves in a surface water drainage system.
- Acting in a claim arising from an allegedly defective component in a lorry which was said to have short circuited and caused fire damage to commercial premises, which allegedly caused (inter alia) various business interruption losses.
Professional Liability
Henk has been ranked as a “Rising Star” in professional negligence (Legal 500, 2025 and 2026). He has experience of claims brought against a range of professionals, including builders, architects, employer’s agents, structural engineers, public authorities and legal professionals. In claims arising from litigation, he is particularly well-equipped to advise in cases where the underlying claim relates to one or more of his core practice areas.
Selected Cases
- Acting for the defendant building contractor in TCC proceedings (c. £3.5m) relating to, inter alia, alleged professional negligence in the design and construction of a bespoke and high-value residential premises.
- Acting as sole counsel for the architectural services provider in its successful defence of a multi-party negligence claim (c. £900k) arising from design and construction works relating to a residential care home: Firdous v ED & Ors[2025] EWHC 90 (TCC).
- Acting and advising in various building defect claims involving alleged professional negligence on the part of contractors and/or architects.
- Acting for and advising homeowners in claims arising from the withdrawal of natural rights of support and/or interference with accrued rights of support.
- Acting on behalf of a law firm in a claim relating to cost assessments under the Solicitors Act 1975 (including at an oral application for permission to appeal).
- Acting for a defendant police force in a claim involving an alleged assumption of responsibility for a valuable consignment of goods in the exercise of police functions and an allegedly negligent failure to safeguard those goods (claim dismissed following a seven-day trial, led by Laura Johnson KC).
- Advising on issues arising from the settlement of a personal injury claim (c. £200K) and advice given in relation to a liability to re-pay monies received pursuant to a statutory compensation scheme (sole counsel).
- Advising the in-house professional liability department of a large national law firm on a range of claims intimated against it by its former clients.
- Acting on behalf of a law firm in claim arising from an allegedly negligent failure to advise on a likely encroachment onto neighbouring property during a conveyancing process and associated losses relating to cost of rectification and litigation expenses.
Property Damage
Henk frequently acts in property damage claims brought in nuisance, negligence, contract and pursuant to statute. His experience encompasses cases involving large fires, flooding, withdrawal of support from adjacent land, negligent building work and similar matters. Henk’s practice is complimented by experience in construction, insurance, professional liability and product liability disputes, with there being a significant degree of overlap between these areas.
Selected Cases
- Advising on group of claims relating to property damage caused to residential premises due to a defective product component.
- Acting for a water supply company in a claim involving allegedly catastrophic flooding damage to residential premises, with the flooding allegedly caused by defective non-return valves in a surface water drainage system.
- Acting for a local authority in a claim arising from flooding damage allegedly caused by water discharge from a highway drainage system.
- Acting for an individual in a claim arising from an interference with an easement of support and the partial collapse of a residential property.
- Acting for managing agents in a claim involving an alleged rodent infestation in a residential development and resulting property damage and loss of rental income.
- Acting for an individual in a claim involving alleged interference with a natural right of support and structural damage to property.
- Acting for an individual in a claim against his insurer following a housefire and property damage caused by failed attempts at repairing his roof.
- Acting in a claim relating to the collapse of a retaining wall during the construction of a rear extension, with the collapse resulting in the death of one of the construction workers and the structural stability of the main premises being undermined.
- Acting for the subrogated insurer in a claim relating to ground fill works which allegedly caused a landslip and associated cracking and structural damage to neighbouring properties.
- Acting in a claim arising from an allegedly defective component in a lorry which was said to have short circuited and caused fire damage to commercial premises, which allegedly caused (inter alia) various business interruption losses.
Personal Injury
Henk has been recognised in the major legal directories as a “Rising Star” in Personal Injury (including, in particular, international personal injury) for several years. He maintains a case load of high value and complex claims, with a particular focus on claims involving jurisdictional or conflict of law issues, product liability, occupier liability, employer’s liability and group actions. His experience in construction, property damage and product defect disputes means he is well-equipped to act in cases which straddle these areas.
Selected Cases
- Acting in a jurisdiction dispute concerning the meaning of “domicile” in Reg. (EC) 1215/2012: Stait v Cosmos Insurance Ltd [2022] EWCA Civ 1429.
- Acting for the child claimant in a claim involving a TBI following a fall from height as well as in the secondary victim claim brought by the mother.
- Acting for a teacher in an employer’s liability claim involving complex PTSD and life-long disability following two separate assaults by pupils during the course of her employment and contested expert educational evidence on liability.
- Acting for the defendant in a claim (c. £800K) involving alleged trauma induced fibromyalgia and alleged fundamental dishonesty (the claimant’s claim was discontinued following a JSM and shortly before a 3-day trial).
- Acting for the defendant in a claim involving an alleged sexual assault on board a cruise ship and contested applications for extensions of time for service for service of the claim form: ST v BAI (SA) t/a Brittany Ferries [2022] EWCA Civ 1037.
- Acting for c. 230 claimants in a group action involving alleged gastric injuries suffered due to food hygiene issues at several major foreign resorts.
- Acting for the claimant family in a product liability claim arising from the explosion of their motor vehicle on a motorway (issues including, inter alia, the meaning of “importer” under the CPA 1987 and the post-Brexit amending legislation).
- Assisting the first to eighth defendants in their application to strike out the claimant’s claim in Piepenbrock v LSE [2022] EWHC 2421.
- Acting for the first defendant (English tour operator) in a hypoxic brain injury claim (c. £8m+) following a drowning incident at a hotel in Spain as well as associated claims for contribution and/or indemnities from accommodation suppliers.
Awards
- Lord Brougham Scholar, Lincoln’s Inn (2017)
- Lord Denning Scholar, Lincoln’s Inn (2018)
News
Articles
Qualifications
- BSc. Politics & Philosophy, First Class, London School of Economics
- GDL, City University
- BPTC, City University
Memberships
- PIBA
- SCL
- COMBAR
- LCLCBA
Rankings
Recommendations
“Henk is exceptionally talented at explaining the most complex of issues in a simplistic manner, which is appreciated by both us as instructing solicitors, and by our clients.”…”a really strong junior with good experience of dealing with clients and tricky cases.”
Chambers & Partners, 2026
“Henk has excellent attention to detail and a rigorous approach to claims. He is particularly good at balancing the commercial and legal interests of the client and giving pragmatic advice.”…”A junior who is able to deal with the complex of instructions, leaving no stone unturned.”…”Henk’s advice is to the point and straightforward. He is very amiable and a lovely man.”
Legal 500, 2026
“Henk’s advice is to the point and straightforward. He is very amiable and a lovely man.”
Legal 500, 2026
“He drafts documents with close attention to detail and a keen eye for the issues that matter.”
Chambers & Partners, 2025
“Henk pays great attention to detail and has an air of authority.”
Chambers & Partners, 2025
“Outstanding attention to detail and clear unambiguous advice.”
Legal 500, 2025
“Henk is excellent, pragmatic and concise in his advice.”
Legal 500, 2025
“Henk is very knowledgeable and helpful. He has great attention to detail and is very good on cross-examination.”
Chambers & Partners, 2024
“Henk is very clever and has a knack of being able to simplify difficult and complex concepts.”
Legal 500, 2024
“Sharp technical knowledge and a practical approach to tactical litigation.”
Legal 500, 2023
