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Howard Palmer KC

Call 1977 | Silk 1999

"Howard is part of the bedrock of the insurance Bar."

Legal 500 2024
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Expertise

Both 2TG and Howard Palmer are recommended as leaders in the field of insurance and reinsurance in Chambers UK and the Legal 500.

Howard’s practice includes:

  • Major disputes on policy wordings, particularly in the field of asbestos liability risks (see Cape Insurance PLC v Iron Trades Employers’ Insurance Assn; Bolton MBC v Municipal Mutual; and Durham v BAI (the EL Trigger Litigation).
  • Repudiations of liability for fraud, non disclosure, misrepresentation, breach of warranty, failure to comply with conditions precedent, etc.
  • Waiver of the right to avoid.
  • Enforcement of insurance rights by third parties (see Charlton v Fisher), in the context of
  • Road Traffic Act liability (see under “Motor”), employers’ compulsory insurance, public liability insurance.
  • Aggregation, and application of multiple deductibles.
  • Liability under PHI and critical illness policies.
  • Insurance recovery actions in cases with complex technical element (eg flooding; electrical malfunctions; fires; see Arscott v The Coal Authority; Bybrook Barns v Kent CC).
  • Limitations on rights of subrogation against co-assureds – particularly under the standard form of building contracts (see also under International Arbitration & Projects).
  • Insurance liability and recovery in foreign jurisdictions; direct rights of action against insurers (see under “Travel & Jurisdiction”).

Howard has been instructed to give expert evidence on the English insurance law of non-disclosure and misrepresentation to the US courts.

He concluded the appeal to the Supreme Court in the Employers’ Liability Trigger Litigation.

Howard Palmer has conducted many high-profile cases in the constantly evolving area of law concerning the jurisdiction of the English courts over foreign claims and the law applicable to the resolution of claims with a foreign element.

Under the Private International Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1995, he acted for the respondent in the landmark House of Lords appeal in Harding v Wealands [2007] 2 A.C. 1.

He has also been involved in many disputes on whether English or foreign law is applicable to claims arising in foreign jurisdictions – Hamill v Hamill – Spain or England?; Beauregard v Sturrock – England or Florida?; Wortham v Deerhurst Resorts –England or Ontario?

The temporal application of Rome II was successfully argued in Bacon v Nacional Suiza before Tomlinson LJ in 2010 – the only English decision on the question before the CJEU came to its decisive ruling in Homawoo.

On issues of jurisdiction, Howard is expert in the application of the Brussels Regulation (44/2001) as well as CPR Pt 6 (service out of the jurisdiction). He has advised extensively on available jurisdictions for:

  • Contractor/Sub Contractor disputes regarding accidents in the Netherlands (Moore v HCI)
  • Claims against a Canadian ski resort for injuries sustained there
  • Claims for Road Traffic Accidents in various states of Australia (Cooley v Ramsey– QBD)
  • Disputes where proceedings are already extant in another jurisdiction (Knauf UK v Fritz Peters AG – A.)

Other cases include:

  • Clinical negligence in South Africa
  • Clinical product liability in Ireland, Australia and USA
  • Tetraplegia caused on a yacht in Portuguese territorial waters, subject to protection under the Merchant Shipping Acts
  • Athens Convention cases
  • Plane crash in Minnesota, USA
  • Claim for injury at airport, subject to the Montreal Convention
  • Claim in Brunei ancillary to insolvency in that state
  • Various Road Traffic Accidents in Spain, Rumania, France, Greece, Germany and Lithuania.

Recommended in the Legal 500 in professional negligence (“First Rate”), Howard’s experience encompasses litigation in the fields of insurance professionals, architects and engineers, construction services, solicitors and accountants.

Notable Professional Negligence cases

Haward v Fawcetts

He appeared for the successful appellant accountants in the House of Lords.

John Mowlem v Neil F Jones (CA)

George Fischer v Multi Design & DLE (TCC - HHJ Hicks QC)

Gray & Ors v T P Bennett & Son & Ors (TCC)

Howard Palmer has experience of most of the major national and international forms of Building and Engineering Contracts: JCT (and DOM, NSC and NFBTE/FASS forms of sub contract), ICE (and FCEC forms of sub contract), CRINE General Conditions for Offshore Services, FIDIC forms, I Chem E forms, GC Works forms, NEC form, Hong Kong GC form, Singapore Institute of Architects form.

Howard also deals with arbitration and court control of arbitral proceedings under domestic and international regimes (see Birse Construction Ltd. v St. David Ltd. (CA), Jones v Thyssen (CA), John Mowlem v Carlton Gate (TCC)).

Howard has been instructed in heavy engineering and civil engineering disputes (oil rig construction, shipbuilding, marina construction, subsea engineering etc).

Howard is particularly skilled in litigating disputes with a high technical content (weld failures, fatigue cracking, steel erection and piling failures, bearing seizures, fires, electrical and electronic control failures etc).

He has conducted several high-profile flood cases, including Bybrook Barn Centre Ltd. v Kent C.C. and Arscott v The Coal Authority in the Court of Appeal. “His involvement in the Hazelwood [flooding] case highlighted his ‘absolutely terrific’ skills in dealing with complicated scientific matters” (Chambers UK recommendation as a leading Silk).

Other property damage specialities include tree root law (L E Jones v Portsmouth (CA [2003] 1 W.L.R. 427); Kirk v London Borough of Brent (CA [2005] EWCA Civ 1701); Berent v London Borough of Islington (CA Case No: A1/11/1575, 20.3.12).

Howard has very wide experience of more than 30 years of all aspects of personal injury and clinical negligence. He combines this experience with his expertise in understanding and analysing complex mechanical processes in the context of catastrophic injury claims. His understanding of the formation of mesothelioma and the liability of employers and others for asbestos-related diseases has enhanced his ability to deal with the complex insurance issues which arise.

Similarly, comparison between foreign and domestic legal systems for the assessment of damages requires a firm grounding in the domestic system, as well as an ability to deal with expert evidence on foreign law (he “converses well with experts” – Legal 500).

Notable Personal Injury cases

Craig & Ors v Railtrack plc & Ors

Multiple fatalities due to bearing failure on railway carriage.

Jolley v London Borough of Sutton

House of Lords – Foreseeability of damage in unforeseeable circumstances.

DoT v HPC Coatings & Ors

TCC – Multiple fatality caused by collapse of gantry.

Hanson v Airedale Hospital

Failure to diagnose possible heart attack.

Williams v London Borough of Lewisham

Causes and effects of long-term Carbon Monoxide emissions.

Howard has very wide experience of more than 30 years of all aspects of personal injury and clinical negligence. He combines this experience with his expertise in understanding and analysing complex mechanical processes in the context of catastrophic injury claims. His understanding of the formation of mesothelioma and the liability of employers and others for asbestos-related diseases has enhanced his ability to deal with the complex insurance issues which arise.

Similarly, comparison between foreign and domestic legal systems for the assessment of damages requires a firm grounding in the domestic system, as well as an ability to deal with expert evidence on foreign law (he “converses well with experts” – Legal 500).

Notable Clinical Negligence cases

Craig & Ors v Railtrack plc & Ors

Multiple fatalities due to bearing failure on railway carriage.

Jolley v London Borough of Sutton

House of Lords – Foreseeability of damage in unforeseeable circumstances.

DoT v HPC Coatings & Ors

TCC – Multiple fatality caused by collapse of gantry.

Hanson v Airedale Hospital

Failure to diagnose possible heart attack.

Williams v London Borough of Lewisham

Causes and effects of long-term Carbon Monoxide emissions.

Howard regularly advises in high profile Product Liability cases.

Howard Palmer uses his considerable experience in sensitive commercial disputes and insurance law in all aspects of his sports practice. His expertise is well suited to litigation which explores the interface between liability for sports injuries and recovery under insurance policies, regularly advising and appearing in court in cases involving complex contractual interpretation.

Although his practice extends to a wide range of sports, he has a particular interest in motorsports, watersports, skiing, riding and shooting.

Howard sits as a Recorder in criminal cases. As well as civil and (some) criminal court work he has experience of most forms of arbitration and ADR.

Howard is a keen cricketer and member of the MCC.

Notable Sport cases

Wagenaar v Weekend Travel Ltd

Skiing accident rendering Claimant tetraplegic – successful defence of ski instructor in High Court Action – issues of French law and skiing standards in French Alps (Winchester High Court).

R v A (confidential)

Acting for claimant rendered tetraplegic in yachting accident off the coast of Portugal; allegations concerned complex issues of sailing technique (Admiralty Court – settled before hearing).

Cripps v Goodman

Riding accident on a road; management techniques of rider when trying out horse for first time; acted for successful Defendant (CA).

Significant Cases

Amedeo Development Corp. SDN BHD v HRH Prince Jefri Bolkiah; Bandone SDN BHD v Amedeo Development Corporation Sendiran Berhad and Berakas Power Company Sdn Bhd: High Court of Brunei Darussalam; October 2001

Concerning the meltdown of the Prince Jefri “empire” in Brunei.

Arscott v The Coal Authority QBD – Royce J; July 2003; [2003] EWHC 1690 (QB) (Casetrack) C.A.; July 2004; [2004] EWCA Civ 892

Flood damage caused by overtopping of the River Taff at Aberfan – the “common enemy” defence.

Aspen Insurance v Adana QBD Commercial Court (Burton J, Hamblen J.) – in progress

Insurers’ liability under a public and products liability policy to indemnify insured potentially responsible for crane collapse.

Bacon v Nacional Suiza QBD – (Tomlinson LJ) [2010] EWHC 231; C.A. Arden, Moore Bick Etherton LJJ (29.6.11)

Whether Rome II applied to accident occurring in 2008.

Bansals Ltd v GRE Birmingham Mercantile Court

Fraudulently exaggerated claim for fire damage to bathroom store.

Beauregard v Sturrock QBD; 2007 – settled

Helicopter accident on a flight from Minnesota USA to Wisconsin USA; whether English or Florida Law applied.

Berent v London Borough of Islington CA – Mummery, Tomlinson and Kitchin LJJ 20.3.12

Tree root damage after Delaware.

Bertenshaw v First Choice (Mövenpick, Third Party) QBD – May 2012

Claim under Package Travel Regulations, which defendant sought to pass on to party responsible for hotel.

Bilfinger + Berger UK Ltd and Birse Construction Ltd v Croda Mebon Ltd QBD (TCC) – HHJ David Wilcox

Massive paint failure on structural steelwork; collateral contract and duty of care in tort; re. Didcot B Power Station).

Birse Construction Ltd v St David Ltd QBD (TCC) – HHJ Humphrey Lloyd K.C.; Feb 1999; [1999] BLR 194 C.A.; Nov 1999; [2000] BLR 57 – Pill, Aldous and Ward

LJJ stay under section 9 Arbitration Act 1996.

Birse Construction Ltd v St David Ltd QBD (TCC) – Mr Recorder Colin Reese K.C.; August 2000

Whether a contract came into existence.

Bolton v Municipal Mutual Insurance QBD (Manchester Mercantile Court – HHJ Kershaw K.C.); 2004-5; C.A.; [2006] 1 WLR 1492

Policy trigger in a mesothelioma case under a public liability policy.

Breitschwerdt v Highway Insurance Co Ltd (QBD, 2008)

German student injured in accident in Scotland but issues of German law arising.

Bristol Alliance v Williams QBD Tugendhat J., June 2011; C.A. Ward, Macfarlane LJJ and Dame Janet Smith, 5.3.2012

Extent of liability under s.151 RTA 1988 and European Motor Insurance Directives.

Bybrook Barn Centre Ltd v Kent CCC.A. [2001] BLR 55 – Peter Gibson & Waller LJJ, Jonathan Parker J

Liability of highway authority for bridge/culvert obstructing river flows.

Cape Industrial Services Ltd v Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance PLC QBD Comm Ct. (2003)

Liability for asbestos exposure under public liability policies.

Cape PLC v Iron Trades Employers’ Insurance Association; QBD Comm. Ct. (Rix J); [2004] Lloyd's Rep IR 75

Liability under 1960s policy which excluded asbestosis but not mesothelioma).

Charlton v Fisher C.A. [2001] Lloyd's Rep IR 387; [2002] QB 578

Insurance for deliberate ramming by a motor car.

Conoco (UK) Ltd and anor v Campbell QBD (Garland J.); C.A. – Rix and Tuckey LJJ; [2003] All ER (Comm) 35

Offshore PI claim for indemnity.

Craig & Ors v Railtrack plc & Ors QBD TCC; 2000 – 2001

Mechanical causes of derailment leading to multiple fatalities.

Darlington Borough Council v Wiltshier Northern Ltd QBD TCC (HHJ Newey K.C.); Case listed for appeal to HoL, but settled before hearing. C.A.; 1994; (1994) 69 BLR 1; [1995] 1 WLR 68.

Liability in contractual assignment case, where assignor suffered no loss.

Dawkins v Carnival PLC CA (Pill, Moore Bick and Aikens LJJ) – 27.10.11

Accident on cruise liner subject to Athens Convention.

Dept of Transport v HPC Coatings & Ors QBD TCC (HHJ Bowsher K.C.) November 1998

Collapse of gantry off Severn Bridge – multiple fatality and massive economic loss claim by DoT.

Durham & Ors. v Builders Accident Insurance & Ors. (the EL Trigger Litigation) QBD – Burton J; 2008; [2009] Lloyd’s Rep IR 295 C.A.; 2009 - 2010; [2011] Lloyd's Rep. IR 1 S.C. – Judgment 28.3.12 [2012] 1 WLR 867

Whether EL policy responded to injury sustained or injury caused during policy period.

Dymoke White v Chapman QBD – HHJ Richard Seymour K.C. (October 2005)

Brain injury case; periodical payments.

Eli Lilly & Co. v Gerling-Konzern Allgemeine Versicherungs A.G. United States District Court, Southern District of Indiana, Indian¬apolis Division (2006 – 2007)

Expert witness on English law of lnsurance; relating to Zyprexa product liability claim.

FACS (foetal anti convulsant syndrome) Litigation (Chappell v Royal Surrey County Hospital Trust)

Threatened Group Litigation claim for foetal damage caused by anti convulsive drugs used to treat epilepsy in pregnant women. Proceedings averted.

Filobake Ltd v Rondo Ltd C.A. Chadwick, Buxton and Hooper LJJ; [2005] EWCA Civ 563

Consideration of Sale of Goods legislation vis à vis supply of filo pastry making machine.

General Accident v Toms and Provincial Insurance QBD – Scott Baker J

R.T.A, whether insurer of vehicle or insurer of driver liable to indemnify.

George Fischer v Multi Construction Ltd and Dexion Ltd QBD (TCC) – HHJ Hicks K.C.; Dec 1992; unrep. C.A.; 1994; H.L.; 1995; Petition for Leave dismissed

Recoverability of damage suffered by subsidiary of contracting party; foreseeability of damage at the time of contract.

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Privacy Policy

Howard Palmer KC Privacy Policy

My contact details:

ICO Reg No: Z551783X
Address: 2 Temple Gardens, London, EC4Y 9AY
Email: clerks@2tg.co.uk
Phone: +44 (0)20 7822 1200

The type of personal information I collect

To enable me to provide you with legal advice and representation in courts, tribunals, arbitrations and mediations, I currently collect and process the following personal information:

Personal identifiers, contacts and characteristics (for example, name, date of birth and contact details), bank and financial details, your background and circumstance and education.

Other personal data relevant to, or included in instructions to provide legal services, including data specific to the instructions in question and data included in documents provided to me as part of instructions or otherwise.

Such information may include personal information relating to family members, associates, agents, employees, shareholders or beneficial owners. By providing such personal information to me, you automatically confirm that you are authorised to do so. It is not reasonably practicable for me to provide the information set out in this Privacy Notice to those individuals. Accordingly, where appropriate, you are responsible for providing this information to any such individuals.

Where necessary, I may also need to process Special Category data about you including

  • racial or ethnic origin;
  • personal data revealing political opinions;
  • personal data revealing religious or philosophical beliefs;
  • personal data revealing trade union membership;
  • genetic data;
  • biometric data (where used for identification purposes);
  • data concerning health;
  • data concerning a person’s sex life; and
  • data concerning a person’s sexual orientation.

How I get the personal information and why I have it

Most of the personal information that I process is provided to me directly by you or via the professional you have instructed such as a solicitor or consultant or other professional adviser who instructs me on your behalf to provide legal services.

I use the information that you have given me in order to

  • provide legal services to you, my client, including the provision of legal advice and
  • representation in courts, tribunals, arbitrations, and mediations
  • keep accounting records and carry out office administration
  • take or defend legal or regulatory proceedings or to exercise a lien
  • respond to potential complaints or make complaints
  • check for potential conflicts of interest in relation to future potential cases
  • promote and market my services
  • carry out anti-money laundering and terrorist financing checks
  • train other barristers and pupils, and when providing work-shadowing opportunities
  • publish legal judgments and decisions of courts and tribunals as required or permitted by law.

I may share this information with

  • other professional advisers such as other legal professionals and consultant experts and other witnesses
  • courts and tribunals
  • the staff in my Chambers
  • prosecution authorities
  • pupils and mini pupils
  • lay clients
  • family and associates of the person whose personal information I am processing
  • in the event of complaints, the Head of Chambers, other individuals nominated by Chambers who deal with complaints, the Bar Standards Board, and the Legal Ombudsman
  • other regulatory authorities
  • current, past or prospective employers
  • education and examining bodies
  • business associates, professional advisers and trade bodies, e.g. the Bar Council
  • professional indemnity insurers or brokers
  • the general public in relation to the publication of legal judgments and decisions of courts and tribunals
  • If you have engaged other professional advisers to instruct me on your behalf on the matters on which I am providing legal services to you, I shall assume that I may disclose your personal information to them unless you tell me otherwise.
  • I may be required to provide your information to regulators, such as the Bar Standards Board, the Financial Conduct Authority or the Information Commissioner’s Office. In the case of the Information Commissioner’s Office, there is a risk that your information may lawfully be disclosed by them for the purpose of any other civil or criminal proceedings, without my consent or yours, which includes privileged information.
  • I may also be required to disclose your information to the police or intelligence services, where, acting in good faith, I consider it required and permitted by law.

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the lawful basis I rely on for processing this information is

  • The processing is necessary for a contract I have with you, or because you have asked me to take specific steps before entering into a contract.
  • You are able to remove your consent at any time. You can do this by contacting me.
  • It may be necessary for me to share your personal data to comply with legal obligations to, for example, HMRC.

How I store your personal information

Your information is securely stored in Chambers or at my home. I use reasonable technical and organisational security measures such as password protection and encryption of computer generated data and keeping paper data secure to prevent personal information from being accidentally lost or destroyed, or used or accessed in an unauthorised way.

In this connection, Chambers, as data processor, acting on my behalf, will only process your personal data on my instructions and is subject to a duty of confidentiality.

The data will be held in line with any regulatory obligations and generally be kept for 6 years but may be 12 years, or longer where, for example, the case includes information relating to a minor, from the date of completion of instructions. At this point any further retention will be reviewed and the data will be marked for deletion or marked for retention for a further period.

All data will be securely deleted or securely shredded after this time without reference to you. I will store some of your information which I need to carry out conflict checks for the rest of my career. However, this is likely to be limited only to your name and contact details and the name of the case. It will not include any information that is “sensitive information” for GDPR purposes.

Your data protection rights

Under data protection law, you have rights including:

  • Your right of access – You have the right to ask me for copies of your personal information.
  • Your right to rectification – You have the right to ask me to rectify personal information you think is inaccurate. You also have the right to ask me to complete information you think is incomplete.
  • Your right to erasure – You have the right to ask me to erase your personal information in certain circumstances.
  • Your right to restriction of processing – You have the right to ask me to restrict the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances.
  • Your right to object to processing – You have the the right to object to the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances.
  • Your right to data portability – You have the right to ask that I transfer the personal information you gave us to another organisation, or to you, in certain circumstances.
  • You are not required to pay any charge for exercising your rights. If you make a request, I have one month to respond to you. Please contact me at 2 Temple Gardens, London, EC4Y 9AY or clerks@2tg.co.uk if you wish to make a request.

Transfer of your information outside the European Economic Area (EEA)

This privacy notice is of general application and as such it is not possible to state whether it will be necessary to transfer your information out of the EEA. If I do transfer your personal data I will use safeguards to ensure the data is fully protected as required by the UK Data Protection Regulations.

Changes to my Privacy Policy

From time to time, I may need to make chances to my privacy policy. If so, the changes will appear on my entry on the 2TG website.

Marketing

As above, I may share your personal data with Chambers who may in turn use that data to notify you by email, or post about an invitation to seminars and similar events. You may opt out of receiving any such marketing communications at any time by using the “unsubscribe” link in any emails. In relation to how Chambers uses such data, please see Chambers’ privacy policy. Other than sharing personal data with Chambers as described above, I will not share your information with any other third party for marketing purposes.

How to complain

If you have any concerns about my use of your personal information, you can make a complaint to me or to my Senior Clerk, Lee Tyler at 2 Temple Gardens, London, EC4Y 9AY or clerks@2tg.co.uk. You can also complain to the ICO if you are unhappy with how we have used your data.

The ICO’s address:

Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Helpline number: 0303 123 1113
ICO website: https://www.ico.org.uk

© Briefed Ltd 2021. All Rights Reserved.

Contact Howard
+44 (0)20 7822 1200
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"One of the leaders on complex international issues."

Chambers UK 2024

"A barrister whose technical mastery of insurance law is virtually unparalleled."

Legal 500 2023

"A recognised expert."

Chambers UK 2023

"He is at the top of his field."

Chambers UK 2023

"Incredibly clever, with brilliant client management skills, and an eye for the 'killer point'."

Legal 500 2023

"Howard has a charming manner and a razor-sharp brain."

Legal 500 2023

  • Queen’s Counsel (1999)
  • Recorder of the Crown Court

  • MA, University College, Oxford University

  • LawInSport
  • British Association for Sport and Law
  • Combar
  • LCLCBA
  • TCC
  • PIBA

Recommended in Legal 500 from 2007 to date and in Chambers UK from 2008 to date.

“Howard is a pleasant advocate who knows his stuff. He is prepared to run innovative arguments.”
“He has a remarkable ability to put everyone in the room at ease, which comes from his familiarity with the sector.”
“One of the leaders on complex international issues.”
Chambers UK 2024

“Howard is part of the bedrock of the insurance Bar. He is a wonderful team leader, and puts everyone at ease in breaking down even the most complicated insurance issues. In court, he’s a smooth operator and holds the ear of any judge all the way up to the Supreme Court.”
“Howard is very professional and client friendly, collaborative and has excellent judgement.”
“Very hard working, Howard is a great leader in any team tackling a heavy professional negligence case.”
Legal 500 2024

“Howard produces excellent written work which distils complex principles in a way that clients can understand.”
“He has a tremendously calming influence.”
“Howard is a smooth and experienced barrister.”
“He is a recognised expert.”
“He is at the top of his field.”
Chambers UK 2023

“A barrister whose technical mastery of insurance law is virtually unparalleled. A real outside-the-box thinker and incredibly hardworking. Knows how to lead a team and get the best out of everyone involved.”
“Howard has a charming manner and a razor-sharp brain. His advocacy is always very persuasive and focused.”
“The most charming silk at the bar, he can get any tribunal on side. Incredibly clever, with brilliant client management skills, and an eye for the ‘killer point’. Very hard working, Howard is a great leader in any team tackling a heavy prof neg case.”
Legal 500 2023

“Howard is concise and clever.” “He is good on technical legal points.” “He knows his way around a courtroom and is a master tactician.” “An imaginative and creative thinker who thinks of new ways to win his cases.” “He’s a leading light in terms of travel law.” “He grasps complicated, knotty legal problems.”
Chambers UK 2022

“Extraordinary breadth and depth and knowledge of insurance law – the perfect pick to lead a team in a difficult case and a pleasure to work with.” “He always fights hard in his client’s interest.”
Legal 500 2022

“His work process is very thorough and methodical and he easily identifies the issues.”
“Very intelligent, articulate and a pleasure to work with. He is very thorough and methodical in his work process and easily identifies issues. His work ethic and responsiveness is very impressive.”
“A very accomplished advocate.”
Chambers UK 2021

“His attention to detail is impressive”
Legal 500 2021

Very impressive on paper and extremely experienced.”
Extremely experienced and well respected.”
He is very intelligent, articulate and highly approachable – a pleasure to work with. He is also very thorough and methodical in his work process and easily identifies the issues in a case.” “A leading authority on cross-border cases.”
Chambers UK 2020 

“He is very academic and very charming”
Legal 500 2020

“Extremely knowledgeable and has a very sound judgment. He’s very good in negotiations and is a top-flight practitioner.”
“He has a lot of knowledge and experience”
Chambers UK 2019

“A big figure in the reinsurance world, who is very impressive and straightforward to deal with.”
“He is very good at thinking through all the issues and calculating the best way of presenting his case to the judge.”
Chambers UK 2018

“Howard is highly approachable and a pleasure to deal with. He is very thorough in his approach and this is reflected in his advice.”
“He is great at understanding the issues, knowing what the client needs to understand and making sure that they do understand it.”
“Very methodical, very detailed and quite a cerebral character but also someone who it’s easy to work with.”
“He gets to the crux of the matter easily, deals with the relevant material and can separate the good points from the bad points.”
“His advocacy is calm and assured.”
“Howard is highly experienced and knowledgeable in cross-border personal injury cases.”
Chambers UK 2017

“Intelligent, articulate, unflappable and calm.”
“Excellent”
Legal 500 2017

“He knows everything there is to know about jurisdictional issues, his written advice is fantastic and he keeps a calm head in cases.”
“He is extremely intelligent; you’re never going to get anything past him and he is very tough.”
“He is a calm and assured advocate.”
Chambers UK 2016

“He has a track record of success and the ear of the court”
“Very good advocate”
Legal 500 2016

“He’s clearly very knowledgeable and very thorough, and his written advice is excellent.”
“A formidable leader and an excellent advocate who handled our case with outstanding competence.”
Chambers UK 2015

“He is calm and exudes an aura of authority and competence; he does not let the other party ruffle him.”
Legal 500 2015

“He is highly approachable and a pleasure to deal with.”
“He is very thorough and this is reflected in his advice.”
Chambers UK 2014

“A thorough and effective advocate with a charming manner”
Chambers UK 2013

“Stands out for his ‘constant responsiveness, quick turnaround times and excellent analysis of complex insurance and liability issues’”
Chambers UK 2012

“he is noted for ‘his cool, calm and collected approach in the courtroom, his ability to reassure clients, and his skilled analysis of complex insurance and liability issues’”
Chambers UK 2011

“has ‘an agile mind and an ability to cope with whatever the judge throws at him’”
Legal 500 2011

Chambers UK 2010

“he provides ‘incisive commercial advice’ and is ‘brilliant on any case which involves complex issues of law and the analysis of policy wordings or statutes’”“recommended for his work relating to floods and flood damage, having acted as lead counsel in two major Court of Appeal flooding cases recently”
Legal 500 2010

“his ‘gravitas and fine legal brain’ are noted as key strengths, as is his ‘ability to turn his hand to anything complex’”
Chambers UK 2009

“excels in nuisance and flood related cases… ‘absolutely terrific’ skills in dealing with complicated scientific matters”
Chambers UK 2008

“converses well with experts”
Legal 500 2008

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