Civil/Insurance Fraud
Instructed in all aspects of personal injury work with extensive experience of dishonest and fraudulent claims in all contexts. Has run fraud arguments (pre Fundamental Dishonesty) and FD arguments at trial and pre trial with success, particularly in the context of chronic pain and mTBI claims.
Selected Cases
- Pilling v Pilling – Australian Claimant deliberately exaggerating claim – surveillance obtained in Australia and UK – issues as to timing of disclosure of surveillance and managing medical experts (based in the UK and Australia) – Defendant is related to Claimant causing issues of sensitivity and conflict
- Kumari v Kumar – exaggerated claim by Claimant run over by her husband – in depth investigation into social media profiles – information disclosed by anonymous source – that information later disowned and alleged to be fraudulent/dishonest in itself – surveillance obtained – supporting evidence from neighbours obtained – issues as to disclosure and use of that material
- Shabani v Jaylani – Claimant caught on surveillance using walking stick in inconsistent manner of day of medical examination and thereafter – issue as to timing of disclosure of surveillance – management of expert evidence
- A v B – mild TBI claim inflated in value – surveillance obtained but not decisive – medical records considered in detail – Claimant’s post accident records suggested a conflict between his appearance in litigation and ‘real life’ – FD alleged – claim settled (and approved) apidly thereafter at a discount
- Ruffell v Lovatt March – Complex Regional Pain Syndrome claim valued at £1.2 million where claimant’s expert evidence discredited and claim under mined so that an award of £13,000 made with claimant paying defendant’s costs;
- Wilkinson v Harmsworth – Fibromyalgia claim (against Brian Barr & Co) in which fundamental dishonest and fraud were run using video surveillance Claimant’s credibility undermined and her evidence rejected by the trial judge resulting in an award of £3,200 in a claim valued at over £1 million. Claimant ordered to pay defendant’s costs;
- Maguire v Carillion – Fibromyalgia claim valued at over £1m with fundamental dishonesty, fraud and surveillance evidence in Award of circa £200,000 made.
Recommendations
“Shaun is incredibly well respected with good reason, whether in advocacy, negotiation or written work. He is counsel who clearly sees the wood from the trees.”
Chambers & Partners, 2024
“Shaun is a skilled advocate, whose pragmatic and empathetic approach ensures favourable results.”
Legal 500, 2024
“Shaun is always prepared, tactically very astute and adaptable.”
Legal 500, 2024
“He has an ability to marshal complex expert evidence and navigate through difficult issues in a clear, concise and pragmatic way.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
“Shaun provides silk quality as a junior.”
Legal 500, 2022
“A strong negotiator who is very effective and personable when dealing with clients.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
“A first-rate advocate, he is also user friendly and approachable.”
Legal 500, 2021
“An excellent advocate who takes a common-sense approach.”; “He is very measured and has outstanding attention to detail. He gets good results.”; “He is very thorough in terms of his preparation and is a personable individual. He’s also a sound negotiator and his breadth of knowledge is very impressive.”
Chambers & Partners, 2021
“A no-nonsense high quality barrister that gets the job done with a minimum of fuss.”
Legal 500, 2021
“He provides a very high-level service in a very professional and reliable manner. He has immense knowledge and experience in personal injury matters.”; “He’s thorough, approachable and engages well with clients.”
Chambers & Partners, 2020
“he is very highly regarded by insurers for his thorough approach and sound advice”; “he immediately grasps the important issues and understands the commercial realities”
Legal 500, 2016
“he is very easy to deal with and very clear and incisive in his advice” ; “he’s KC material at a junior price”
Chambers & Partners 2016
