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Jessica van der Meer

Call 2012

"Tenacious and committed"

Legal 500 2024
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+44 (0)20 7822 1200
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Expertise

As General Editor of the Law of Property Damage, she is an established and recognised authority on all matter of property damage claims. Jessica’s practice spans the full breadth of property damage issues: fires, floods, subsidence (including Tree Preservation Orders), landslip and excavation and construction disasters. Her range of work sets her up with a near encyclopaedic knowledge of all forms of nuisance and statutory based forms of liability.

Given her specialised work in environmental judicial review matters and her commercial experience of injunctions, she is also uniquely placed to act in environmental and property damage claims that require urgent injunctive relief.

She’s a trusted and confident adviser in multi-million-pound subrogated recoveries and claims for indemnity insurers, with an emphasis on homeowners, construction professionals and network operators. She is equally at home acting for policy holders.

She relishes working on claims raising complex technical matters ranging from novel design issues to geotechnical considerations. She is go-to counsel for advice on issues of betterment and, given her involvement in the Highways England Test Cases, she is the expert on methodologies for measuring loss in property damage claims.

Notable Property Damage cases

Mitchell & Butlers Ltd v Y [ongoing]

Advising (unled) the indemnity insurer and claimant as to the prospects of a subrogated recovery following a complex fire at a Harvester restaurant that resulted in £5,000,000 worth of losses.

Regent Superbowl and Others v Slush Puppie and Others [2023-2025]

Represented an Italian producer of a product that allegedly was defective and resulted in a multi-million-pound complex fire involving numerous claimants and additional claims. This claim presented complicated questions of causation and novus actus interveniens. Jessica represented her client as sole counsel against a number of parties who were represented by silks with leading juniors.

Highways England Test Cases [2023] 1 WLUK 457

Led by Rob Weir KC on behalf of Admiral Insurance who challenged the applicability of Coles v Hetherton as the appropriate measure of loss for damage to highway fixtures. The claim determined, perhaps definitively, how damage to highway furniture is assessed in property damage claims.

Ashley v Arc Control [2022-2023]

A successful result achieved for a high net-worth claimant in an negligent design dispute involving a bespoke water feature whose programming code contained errors that resulted in a catastrophic flood event. Complex, technical details as to causation and legal issues in relation to spoilation of evidence.

W v PP Ltd [2021 ongoing]

The most recent example of her advising on betterment following a catastrophic flood that damaged a 31-year-old then state-of-the-art heating system. She advised on the prospects of successful recovery for the full value of a new model heating system.

Dover Street [2020]

Fire damage claim involving a high-end refurbished restaurant in Mayfair that suffered a fire days before it was due to open resulting approximately £2,000,000 in loss and damage. Jessica advised the claimants as to whom to pursue after sifting through voluminous technical fire evidence and contractual arrangements between a cornucopia of subcontractors.

SEPN [2020]

Acted for one of many subcontractors engaged to excavate a floodplain. In the process of excavation, the SEPN network cables were damaged; a central issue was to whom and how liability attached, given the contractual matrix between the subcontractors.

X v London Borough Barnet [2020]

Advised and acting for claimants in a longstanding tree roots subsidence claim involving Tree Preservation Orders, concerns on limitation and attribution.

O v Ceredigion County Council [2018-2021]

Acting for claimants in a private sewer dispute that repeatedly flooded property; involved technical issues on limitation, covenants and identification of users and owners of the private sewer.

SESW [2018]

Acting for a water company where a water main had been drilled into by a third party resulting in extensive escape of water. Legal issues included limitation and whether there could be recovery of certain heads of loss.

X v Southwark County Council [2017]

Involved advising and settling Particulars in a subsidence claim involving a permanent Tree Preservation Order and elements of judicial review and limitation.

Co-operative Group Limited v Birse Developments Ltd & Others [2014] EWHC 530 (TCC)

Led by Doré Green acting for the Defendants in this High Court case which examined when a main contractor’s claim in tort against a sub-contractor or member of its professional team is time-barred by virtue of section 2 of the Limitation Act 1980. This case is the current authority on what constitutes damage in this context and the latest date on which it might be said to have occurred.

Ranked as a Leading Junior for Insurance in the Legal 500, Jessica undertakes a broad range of insurance and reinsurance work, including cross-border insurance disputes. She is a trusted adviser in Marine Insurance and her extensive insurance experience extends to subrogated rights of insurers, coverage disputes, issues of policy wording and policy construction, breach of warranties, and claims raising contentious technical issues on the proximate cause of loss.

She is frequently instructed on complex and high value insurance fraud matters, ranging from exaggerated loss claims to insurance fraud involving art and cultural property.

She is described in the Legal 500 as:

‘A first-class intellect, with great attention to detail. She builds strong relationships with clients and experts, and has sound commercial sense and amazing advocacy skills.’

’Jessica combines an outstanding knowledge of the law with strong client skills and commercial judgement. She is much in demand and developing a strong insurance/reinsurance practice with international and cross-border elements.’

‘Always addresses the issues in a pragmatic and detailed way, and is very capable of making her client’s case even in the face of robust interventions from the bench. Jessica is also affable and approachable to opponents, and has a very clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the parties’ positions, which makes having sensible discussions outside of court more straightforward.’

Notable Insurance & Reinsurance cases

B v LB Haringey [Ongoing]

Jessica advised a prominent insurer as to their rights under a home insurance policy where the insured homeowner brought injunction proceedings against the local authority to prevent felling of the tree that was causing subsidence to their home. She represented the insurer in the injunction hearings and continues to represent the insurer in the FOS hearings. The claim demonstrates Jessica’s skill in offering commercial, pragmatic advice to insurer clients (read by their senior management) whilst dealing with many moving parts: ongoing injunction and FOS proceedings whose outcomes are to be considered against practical policy and indemnity issues and legal insurance points.

X v NFU [2023]

Jessica advised NFU as to prospects of involving the fraudulent claims rule against their insured. This was a highly sensitive claim involving alleged theft of a number of high-end watches.

X v Hiscox [2023]

She advised and successfully acted for Hiscox in an high value insurance claim. On Jessica’s advice, Hiscox terminated the insurance policy and alleged fraud by their insurer. Shortly after Jessica’s Defence was served, the Claimant discontinued.

Upton Marina [2021-2022]

An insured’s vessel exploded at Upton Marina, resulting in 13 other vessels (with a variety of insurers) sustaining fire damage and losses well over £25,000,000. Led by Meghann McTague, she advised on the contentious issue of what would constitute a ‘reasonable settlement’.

St James’ Oncology and Leeds Teaching Hospitals [2021]

She advised the insurer as to coverage, which was complicated by a myriad of parties (a Project Co had been set up) with various liabilities, as well as a transfer of those liabilities had been undertaken. She confidently and with clarity advised how the liabilities were allocated and how/whether the insurance of the Project Co would respond.

Generali Assurances [2020]

Jessica advised and represented a French insurer contesting jurisdiction of a claim, pursuant to Brussels Recast Regulation and Rome II Regulations. She also advised on issues of coverage.

Covea Insurance Ltd v O’Reillys [2018]

Advised and settled Particulars of Claim for insurer to avoid an insurance policy ab initio because of fraudulent misrepresentation.

B [2017]

Advised on the insurance position and vicarious liability of a company where it, via a TUPE transfer, acquires the employees of another company who have been engaged in a long-running fraud.

Equitas Ltd & Riverstone Insurance UK Ltd v NMP BV [2016]

Led by Charles Dougherty KC, she represented the insurers in an insurance fraud claim involving nine Old Master paintings allegedly stolen from a renowned Dutch gallery in 1987. The paintings were subsequently recovered by the Dutch police in 2009.

[2016]

Coverage issues relating to a home insurance policy where the premises were used to manufacture illegal drugs.

Jessica has experience across a wide range of commercial litigation and arbitration matters including contractual disputes, misfeasance and fraud. Solicitors praise Jessica’s commercial and approachable style, saving that she “combines an outstanding knowledge of the law with strong client skills and commercial judgement” and that she “has sound commercial sense and amazing advocacy skills.”

Jessica’s commercial practice is grounded in the nexus of her sport, property damage and insurance practice; her cases are often complex contractual claims involving a variety of sectors including food and beverage contracts, international contracts for sale of goods, construction projects, commercial-sports contracts and energy including renewable energy (off-shore windfarms and solar).

She also has unique sanctions experience, as she is an adviser for the FCDO on sanctions designations and specifications.

She advises and acts at all stages of the litigation process from initial advice and pre action relief through to trial. Her experience includes a range of interim remedies, including disclosure orders and freezing orders.

Notable Commercial Dispute Resolution cases

Farmhouse Biscuits v X [ongoing]

Acting for Claimants in a contractual breach and negligence claim valued in the region of £1 million pounds resulting from the sale of contaminated pistachios which were unknowingly put into specialised biscuits and sold into the wider supply chain.

A v B [Ongoing]

Defending a contractual dispute involving the mis selling and defective manufacture of automotive equipment with an international (Italian) component to the claim.

Matchroom v O [2023]

Acting with Steve Flynn for Matchroom in a multi-million-pound LCIA arbitration against a high-profile boxer for breach of contract.

Oxfam v ISS [2023 – ongoing]

Acting for Oxfam in a contractual dispute valued at £1/2 million with their facilities manager for a failure to maintain a connection in the HVAC which led to a substantial escape of water requiring the entire Oxfam HQ to relocate.

Pedawi v [2023]

Advising and acting for high-net worth claimants in a £1.3 million pound contractual dispute against their builder and interior designer. Involved questions of whether appropriate termination notice had been given and dealing with the consequences of enforcement where a company had become insolvent during the proceedings.

X v Y [2022]

Successfully acted for the respondent to an arduous, complicated and aggressive breach of contract claim (valued at £750,000) involving the manufacture and supply of specialised wind turbines.

Jessica is the junior barrister of choice for technical professional negligence claims on account of her property damage and insurance experience. She is a fearless advocate and pragmatic adviser in negligence claims involving (technical) designers, programmers, architects, surveyors and construction professionals. She is a formidable cross-examiner and well-versed in grilling experts on complex technical issues.

Jessica also has particular experience in solicitor’s negligence claims, ranging from negligent advice and negligent conduct of a claim to issues of breach of fiduciary duties/breach of trust for solicitors appointed as personal representatives.

Notable Professional Negligence cases

Nicholson v AE Yates Limited [ongoing]

Acting for Claimants in a professional negligence claim against building contractors and their subcontractors who negligently dug a culvert next to the Claimant’s property resulting in substantial subsidence damage to their home.

X v Free4M Consulting and FM Conway [2023-2025]

Representing multiple claimants in a professional negligence claim against surveyors, geotechnical experts and contractors for negligent design and installation of a retaining wall which exacerbated pre-existing landslip resulting in a substantial damages claim including ongoing damage.

A v ARC Control [2022-2023]

A successful result achieved for a high net worth claimant in a large professional negligence, negligent design dispute involving a bespoke water feature whose programming code contained errors that resulted in a catastrophic flood event. Complex, technical details as to causation and legal issues in relation to spoilation of evidence.

Thames Water v McLoughlin [2024]

Represented defendants in a professional negligence dispute involving groundworks that allegedly damage sewerage, resulting in substantial loss and damage.

RMS Goole Ltd [2020-2021]

Representing claimants in a negligent design of vermiculite storage shed claim against surveyors.

Exeter County Council [2020-2021]

A multi-million-pound professional negligence arbitration claim brought against an internationally renowned firm of architects regarding the refurbishment and extension of the Royal Albert Museum and Art Gallery.

McCarthy v Sills & Betteridge LLP [2020]

Successfully defended a firm of solicitors in a negligent conveyancing claim involving alleged overpayment of Stamp Duty Land Tax.

Jessica has unique experience in International Trade Law matters. Her experience in advisory work spans the full range of WTO treaty issues: technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, customs, national-treatment and most favour nation issues as well as agriculture and state aid.

  • As consultant legal adviser to the Bank of England, she advised on WTO and international trade matters in relation to Brexit with an emphasis on financial services and prudential policy.
  • She has advised the Bank of England on all major recent trade and investment negotiations including Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), CETA, EU-Japan Trade Agreement as well as EU association agreements.
  • She has advised the Bank of England and Department for International Trade on dispute settlement mechanism clauses and prudential carve-outs in future UK trade agreements. She has also advised on the fallout of the decision in Achmea and its consequences for BITs and future UK trade and investment agreements.
  • Her advisory work extends to trade negotiations: she has worked with the Department for International Trade and Her Majesty’s Treasury on the recent UK non-EU Trade Agreements.

Related to Brexit, Jessica has advised on specific aspects of the TCA and their implications, including the Northern Ireland Protocol. Her broad experience in international trade makes her well placed to advise on import and export queries. Jessica has experience in EU Customs law and has particular interest in Rules of Origin and VAT disputes. She successfully represented HMRC in a multi-million pound customs duty and import VAT appeal and will appear as sole advocate for HMRC in the Court of Appeal.

Jessica has in-depth, on-the-ground experience in trade defence instruments. She worked on one of the largest anti-dumping investigations of Chinese steel producers by the Canadian Government whilst a Pegasus Scholar. She was responsible for drafting responses to the Canadian Government’s anti-dumping questionnaire, as well as advising the Chinese client as to its engagement with the investigation. This has given her invaluable first-hand experience of the technical and specialised nature of anti-dumping and anti-subsidy work.

Her BIT experience makes her well-rounded and versatile in investment disputes. She has seen both side of the tribunal table. She has worked (as a Tribunal Assistant) with The Honourable David Unterhalter, Charles Brower and Gabriel Bottini in ICSID matters. On the client-side, she has worked for claimants and respondents in ICSID arbitrations involving Western-based multi-national corporations in dispute with the Chinese government.

Before joining 2TG, Jessica worked for the United Nations and the International Institute for Sustainable Development, where she specialised in international trade and sustainable development issues, including WTO law and bilateral investment treaties. This previous experience provides Jessica with a unique and valuable perspective on international trade issues.

Notable International Trade Law cases

Uflex Europe Limited v Revenue and Customs Commissioners [2025] UKUT 57 (TCC), [2025] 2 WLUK 324

Uflex Europe Limited v Revenue and Customs Commissioners [2023] UKFTT 409 (TC), [2023] 5 WLUK 87

Lazareva v State of Kuwait UNCT/19/1 [2023]

Jessica has a breadth of experience in international private law covering:

  • LCIA, CIETAC, SIAC arbitration whilst working with the Chinese law firm Hui Zhong,
  • SIAC arbitration whilst working with the Chinese law firm Jin Mao,
  • HIAC and ICSID arbitrations whilst working Dentons based in Shanghai,
  • ICC arbitrations, whilst being seconded to the International Dispute Team at the French law firm Gide Loyrette Nouel.
  • ICSID arbitration as the Assistant to the Tribunal President (David Unterhalter): Lazareva v State of Kuwait UNCT/19/1.

Whilst at Gide she worked on an ICC arbitration involving a dispute over oil exploration rights awarded by an African state; a contractual dispute between a French and English company and she assisted in successfully advising on multiple jurisdictions’ (English, French, Dutch and Scots Law) approach to authority and a principal granting apparent authority.

Whilst at Jin Mao, Jessica advised and worked on a SIAC arbitration involving German and Indonesia based companies who had a contractual dispute in relation to the testing of coal.

She has BIT experience, having worked on various ICSID arbitrations involving a Western-based multi-national corporations in dispute with the Chinese government and most recently on the decision in Lazareva v State of Kuwait. UNCT/19/1. She has also advised on the fallout of the decision in Achmea and its consequences for BITs and future UK trade and investment agreements.

Jessica has a unique public law practice in the sport and environmental contexts. This gives her singular experience and knowledge that many clients find invaluable as Jessica can confidently advise on the full armoury of litigation tools.

She has represented Cycling UK (with Martin Porter KC) in their successful judicial review of a local authorities’ decision to open a road to motor vehicle traffic. She and Martin Porter KC also advised on and brought the first statutory appeals to challenge various Councils’ decisions to institute a Public Spaces Protection Order (‘PSPO’) in the High Court.

Jessica is instructed alongside Estelle Dehon KC by Leigh Day to challenge the Department of Transport’s decision to revoke statutory guidance and the Government’s LTN review. The matter will be heard by the Court of Appeal.

Jessica has advised on climate change litigation, in particular using judicial review to hold the UK government accountable for its Paris Agreement obligations.

During the COVID-19 Pandemic Jessica advised and represented the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in appeal proceedings involving medical device producers seeking exemptions to the Medical Devices Directive. She was also instructed as counsel to the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in the COVID Inquiry.

Jessica has a breadth of knowledge and experience in cases involving EU and international law with public law elements, including sanction designation work for the FCDO. She is appointed to the Attorney General Public International Law Panel.

She was also long-standing junior to Niazi Fetto KC and Guy Mansfied KC in the Kenyan Emergency Group Litigation.  This was a group action by 40,000 “Mau Mau” and related claimants alleged UK Government responsibility for alleged mistreatment during the Kenyan Emergency in the 1950s. The claims involved complicated areas of constitutional and administrative, torts and personal injury, human rights and jurisdictional elements.

Her work has appeared in the UK Constitutional Law Blog: J. van der Meer, ‘Paws for Thought: The High Court tackles PSPOs in a Landmark Judgment’, U.K. Const. L. Blog (26th Apr. 2018) (available here).

Notable Public Law cases

Dale Vince v Secretary of State for Transport [ongoing]

Instructed by Leigh Day and led by Estelle Dehon KC in the Court of Appeal on this environmental judicial review of the Government’s decision to revoke statutory guidance in favour of the Plan for Drivers and the LTN review.

B v LB Haringey [2024]

Jessica represented a prominent insurer against their insured homeowner’s injunction and judicial review proceedings against the local authority to prevent felling of the tree that was causing subsidence to their home. The claim demonstrates Jessica’s unique skillset in offering commercial, pragmatic advice to insurer clients (read by their senior management) whilst dealing with many moving parts: ongoing injunction and judicial review proceedings whose outcomes are to be considered against practical policy and indemnity issues and legal insurance points.

R(Cyclists’ Touring Club) v Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council [2023] CO/869/2023 (Admin)

Instructed by Leigh Day and acting for Cycling UK (led by Martin Porter KC), Jessica successfully challenged local authorities’ decision to re-open a road to motorized traffic which had previously been for cyclists and pedestrians only.

COVID Inquiry

Part of the FCDO counsel team representing their interests in the Inquiry.

Plan B v Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and Others [2021]

Advising climate change litigation charity on bringing judicial review proceedings against the UK Government for failures to meet its climate change obligations under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Summers v London Borough of Richmond [2018] EWHC 782 (Admin)

Jessica and Martin Porter KC represent the Kennel Club in the first statutory appeal to be brought to the High Court challenging a PSPO restricting dog walking within the borough of Richmond.

Kenyan Emergency Group Litigation [2016-2018]

• Kimathi & Ors v Foreign & Commonwealth Office [2018] EWCA Civ 2213
• Kimathi & Ors v The Foreign and Commonwealth Office [2018] EWHC 3144 (QB)
• Kimathi & Ors v The Foreign And Commonwealth Office [2018] EWHC 1070 (QB)

Paws for Thought: The High Court tackles PSPOs in a Landmark Judgment

J. van der Meer, ‘Paws for Thought: The High Court tackles PSPOs in a Landmark Judgment’, U.K. Const. L. Blog (26th Apr. 2018).

Michaels v Mansfield District Council [2017]

Jessica and Martin Porter KC advised Cycling Defence Fund on bringing a statutory appeal challenging the Council’s decision to institute a PSPO prohibiting cycling in a main market square.

She is a legal 500 ranked sports specialist. Her public law, insurance and commercial background ensure that Jessica is able to provide clients with a service that covers nearly all areas relevant to sport.

Her work ranges from contractual disputes involving boxers with Steve Flynn to bringing selection and classification challenges on behalf of athletes.

She has worked extensively on anti-doping cases (WADA and on a national level) covering all major sports. Since 2015 she has regularly represented athletes in (amongst other sports) British amateur cycling, internationally ranked ITF and Paralympic tennis players and national professional weightlifters contesting Anti-Doping Rule Violations or adverse analytical findings.

Her expertise covers the full spectrum of anti-doping matters from contesting whereabouts failures to disputing the presence of prohibited substances (ranging from anabolic steroids to cocaine and elevated testosterone levels in a female athlete). Her comprehensive clinical negligence experience makes her adept in analysing prohibited substances cases in granular depth and well-versed at cross-examining medical and scientific experts.

Jessica is an appointed as arbitrator to the Sports Resolution Panel, an Independent Chair to UK Sport’s Eligibility Panel and a legal adviser to SheRACES.

Notable Sport cases

X v World Para Swimming [2024]

Advised a Para Swimming athlete on the prospects of challenging their Sport Class classification and bringing a Paris Paralympic Team selection challenge.

Ukrainian and British Paralympic Committees [2024]

Advising the NPCs on how to align the IPC’s position with that of World Athletics as to the participation of Russian athletes at the Paris Paralympic Games.

Matchroom v O [2023]

Acting with Steve Flynn for Matchroom in a multi-million-pound LCIA arbitration against a high profile boxer for breach of contract.

X v British Shooting [2023]

Represented an athlete who challenged their non-selection for the 2023 European Games. The half-day arbitration took place before Pippa Manby (sole arbitrator) with Dan Saoul KC representing British Shooting.

British Horseracing Authority v X [2023]

Appointed as a panel member alongside Fenella Morris KC and Alistair McHenry in a confidential sport arbitration.

A v The Lawn Tennis Association [2022]

Jessica was a panel member to David Phillips JC and Christine Ohuruogu in a sports arbitration appeal involving misconduct breaches of the LTA Disciplinary Code.

"Crossing the Line - The Alberto Salazar" Dr Brown & Nike Oregon Project Scandal

(28 April 2022) in LawinSport.

UKA v TM [2021]

Led by Steven Flynn, Jessica is representing suspended UK Athletics coach Tony Minichiello against charges that he breached his UKA coaching license. The case has received publicity as Mr Minichiello coached many of Team GB Athletics’ most successful athletes, not least Jessica Ennis-Hill.

ITF v X [2021]

With Jessica’s assistance, a top 300 ranked female tennis player is contesting an anti-doping rule violation. Prohibited levels of testosterone was detected in a sample she provided whilst at an ITF competition. The player is disputing the charge on the basis that she was prescribed specific medications to assist her recovery from COVID which induced hyperthyroidism, which in turn increased the level of steroid hormones, including testosterone, in her blood. This is one of the first COVID specific defences utilised in anti-doping cases, as such it can be seen as a test case.

ITF v Lucas Sithole [2019-2020]

Jessica represented and successfully negotiated a good outcome for South African Paralympian Lucas Sithole – the first African wheelchair tennis player to win a Grand Slam – who was charged with testing whereabouts failures. The matter went through several procedural hearings, including submissions being filed and served and a final hearing date being set, before a mutually agreeable outcome was reached.

ITF v X [2019-2020]

She represented a promising junior professional tennis player in an ant-doping matter (IAAF of prohibited stimulants) where she was able to negotiate, after the first procedural hearing, a mutually beneficial outcome for the athlete and the ITF.

“Why are athletes held to a higher standard than medical professionals in anti-doping? Contrasting the Gil Roberts case and Team Sky Scandal”

(18 March 2018) in LawInSport.

UKAD v X [2018]

Jessica defended a British boxer in a UKAD appeal (IAAF of prohibited stimulants). Although the appeal was unsuccessful, Jessica gained invaluable experience of NADP procedure and drafting substantive documentation in an anti-doping matter.

UKAD v X [2017]

Jessica obtained a reduced suspension for a British weightlifter in a UKAD appeal. This matter gave Jessica detailed knowledge of the NADP Rules and Procedure.

Outside of Chambers, Jessica is an ÖttilÖ swimrun champion, an ultra trail runner, a world loppet enthusiast (having completed the Engadin ski marathon), and an experienced rower, having represented the University of Leiden (the Netherlands) in the women’s eight internationally.

Jessica is sought-after junior for complex and international Group Litigation. She was junior counsel to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the “Mau Mau” Kenyan Emergency Group litigation. Presently, she is instructed as junior counsel for the Claimants in the Pan NOx Emissions Group Litigation; the largest ever Group Litigation in England and Wales.

Her unique practice with its wide range and specialisations has allowed Jessica to become a versatile and highly effective junior counsel. Her Stakhanovite work ethic combined with her affable nature means she is a dependable team player who adds value wherever she is placed.

Through her work on the Pan NOx Emissions Group Litigation, Jessica has developed considerable experience in coordinating and overseeing complex disclosure exercises across multiple defendants with millions of documents. She is well-honed on issues of confidentiality, de-designation of confidential material and CPR 31.22 collateral use of evidence issues.

Her work as junior counsel in the trial team of the Kenyan Emergency Group Litigation has given her extensive knowledge of disclosure issues involving archival evidence and historic claims.

Significant Cases

Pan NOx Emissions Group Litigation [Ongoing]

Uflex Europe Limited v Revenue and Customs Commissioners [2025] UKUT 57 (TCC), [2025] 2 WLUK 324

Uflex Europe Limited v Revenue and Customs Commissioners [2023] UKFTT 409 (TC), [2023] 5 WLUK 87

Brenner v Haringey LBC [2024] EWHC 2325 (Admin) [2024] 9 WLUK 493

Regent Superbowl and Others v Slush Puppie and Others [2024]

Matchroom v O [2023]

Lazareva v State of Kuwait. UNCT/19/1. [2023]

R(Cyclists’ Touring Club) v Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council [2023] CO/869/2023 (Admin)

Highways England Test Case [2023] 1 WLUK 457

Summers v London Borough of Richmond [2018] EWHC 782 (Admin) [2018] 1 W.L.R. 4729

Kimathi & Ors v Foreign & Commonwealth Office [2018] EWCA Civ 2213

Kimathi & Ors v The Foreign and Commonwealth Office [2018] EWHC 3144 (QB)

Kimathi & Ors v The Foreign And Commonwealth Office [2018] EWHC 1070 (QB)

Equitas Ltd & Riverstone Insurance UK Ltd v NMP BV [2016]

See more

Privacy Policy

Jessica van der Meer Privacy Policy

My contact details:

ICO Reg No: ZA182938
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;
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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

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I may share this information with

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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 Jessica
+44 (0)20 7822 1200
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"Jessica combines an outstanding knowledge of the law with strong client skills and commercial judgement"

Legal 500 2023

"…affable and approachable…"

Legal 500 2022

"…very capable of making her client's case even in the face of robust interventions…"

Legal 500 2022

Always addresses the issues in a pragmatic and detailed way."

Legal 500 2022

"A first-class intellect, with great attention to detail."

Legal 500 2021

"...has sound commercial sense and amazing advocacy skills."

Legal 500 2021

  • Pegasus Scholar
  • Prince of Wales & David Karmel Scholar, Grays Inn
  • Huygens Talent Scholar

  • BPTC, Graduate Diploma in Law, City Law School
  • MPhil, Oxford University
  • BSc (Hons), Utrecht University, The Netherlands
  • BA (Hons), University of Leiden, The Netherlands

  • Dutch (native)
  • French (conversational)
  • Spanish (conversational)

  • PNBA
  • COMBAR
  • BASL
  • LawinSport
  • Association of European Lawyers
  • Young Public International Lawyers
  • SIEL
  • ESIL
  • Sports Resolution

“A first-class insurance barrister. Jessica is incredibly hard-working and easy to work with. She quickly wins the client’s confidence. Her advice on insurance disputes is meticulous, easy to read and pragmatic and commercial in its strategy. A real asset to have on your team.” “A superb advocate; tenacious and committed.”
Legal 500 2026

“Jessica is very thorough and methodical in her approach across all of her areas of experience. She is alive to issues to and offers insight beyond the scope of her instructions which is appreciated by those instructing her.” “Jessica is a rising star of the sports law Bar. She is extremely diligent and committed to every case. She always goes the extra-mile for her clients.”
Legal 500 2025

“Jessica is tenacious and committed. She will fight her client’s corner without fear or favour.”
Legal 500 2024

“Jessica combines an outstanding knowledge of the law with strong client skills and commercial judgement. She is much in demand and developing a strong insurance/reinsurance practice with international and cross-border elements.”
Legal 500 2023

“Always addresses the issues in a pragmatic and detailed way, and is very capable of making her client’s case even in the face of robust interventions from the bench. Jessica is also affable and approachable to opponents, and has a very clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the parties’ positions, which makes having sensible discussions outside of court more straightforward.”
Legal 500 2022

“A first-class intellect, with great attention to detail. She builds strong relationships with clients and experts, and has sound commercial sense and amazing advocacy skills.”
Legal 500 2021

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