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Steven Coles

Call 1983

"Technically sound and very patient and detailed in his approach."
(Legal 500)

Property Damage

Selected Cases

  • Acting for insurers in a claim for £300,000 losses caused by fire as a result of hot works by the defendant (2020)
  • Advising on the extent of defendant contractor’s policy cover in relation to a £600,000 claim for losses caused by contamination by asbestos released in the course of the building works (2020)
  • Advising insurers on policy coverage in relation to a claim against the defendant for £200,000 losses arising from water damage to a retail property (2020)
  • Appearing for defendant’s insurers on procedural issues arising out of £450,000 losses claimed from damage to underground mains water pipe (2020)
  • Advising defendant’s insurers on issues arising in relation to a claim for £650,000 damages from a fire said to have been caused by hot works, and which spread to an adjoining house (2019)
  • Acting for defendant’s insurers in a claim for over £250,000 for damage to a factory caused by an explosion from a gas escape (2019)
  • Advising defendant’s insurers on a claim for £300,000 damages arising out of a large tree falling onto three houses (2019)
  • Acting for defendant developer’s insurers in relation to a claim for £600,000 loss and damage to retail premises below by foul water leaking from pipework to flats above (2019)
  • Acting for insurers in claim for about £200,000 damages caused by fire at a block of flats (2019)
  • Acting for defendant’s insurers in a claim for £200,000 damages for flooding to residential property caused by defective plumbing works (2018)
  • Advising defendant and insurers on issues of contractual liability for a crane collapse onto a large office building (2018)
  • Acting for defendant and insurers in a claim for damage to retaining wall and adjacent property as a result of building excavation works (2018)
  • Acting for defendant and insurers in a claim against contractor for damages as a result of fire and explosion at a factory (2018)
  • Acting for insurers in a claim arising out of water damage to hospitality suites at a large racecourse (2018)
  • Advising insurers on a subrogated claim for several £ Millions in relation to fire damage to a residential care home (2017)
  • Appearing at trial for defendant and insurers in relation to a claim for £900,000 loss of profits arising from two prototype aircraft being destroyed in a motorway crash as they were being towed (2017)
  • Acting for defendant and insurers in a claim for £900,000 damages for fire damage to a house and contents caused by contractor’s damage to electricity cable (2017)
  • Claim for £5 Million by owners and lessees of a warehouse destroyed by fire (2015)
  • Claim for £800,000 against contractors and suppliers in respect of a fire to large residential property caused by defective wiring installation (2014)
  • Acting for defendant suppliers in a fire claim against suppliers and manufacturers arising out of defective capacitors used in frequency converter equipment, £500,000 claimed  (2014)
  • Claim for £700,000 against installers of roofing insulation in respect of a fire at a large residential property (2013)
  • Claim against insurers for £5 Million under a property policy for destruction of a factory by fire; issue over construction of policy conditions; and concurrent claim against insurance brokers for negligence (2012)
  • Acting at trial in subrogated claim by insurers together with insured’s own claim for property damage and substantial loss of profits arising from damage to an automatic car wash (2011)
  • Acting for insurers in subrogated claims for damage to various properties above from a fire breaking out in a ground floor restaurant. Contribution claims between the restaurant, supplier of the fat fryer, and manufacturer of the fat fryer (2011).
  • Fire claim for £4 Million against builders and architects arising from inadequate fire stopping in the roof space of a large supermarket which burned down (2007)
  • Involved at early stage on liability issues in Buncefield litigation (2006)
View full profile »

Qualifications


  • MA (Cantab)

Memberships


  • Commercial Bar Association
  • London Common Law & Commercial Bar Association
  • Personal Injury Bar Association
  • Professional Negligence Bar Association
  • Technology & Construction Bar Association

Recommendations


“Attention to detail is impeccable. His understanding and communication is also exceptional.”

Legal 500, 2025

“He responds well to questions regarding his advice, and is happy to engage in debate upon the finer points of liability and causation – his advice is impressive and perceptive.”

Legal 500, 2022

“Extremely intelligent, with a very patient manner.”

Legal 500, 2021

“He is very analytical, forensic and has good ‘instinct’ on strategy.”

Legal 500

“A calm presence, he is good with expert witnesses, has an eye for detail and is strong on technical issues.”

Legal 500

“His technical excellence and calm manner put clients at ease.”

Legal 500

“Technically sound and very patient and detailed in his approach.”

Legal 500

“Technical skills combined with diligence.”

Legal 500

“Instructed in a range of insurance-related cases.”

Legal 500

“A very good insurance counsel.”

Legal 500


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