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.
Awards
- Lord Brougham Scholar, Lincoln’s Inn (2017)
- Lord Denning Scholar, Lincoln’s Inn (2018)
Articles
News
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
