3VB Speaks

In this podcast, Tim Killen KC and Matthew Watston will discuss issues which arise in insurance and reinsurance disputes in the DIFC Courts, and how the courts might address them, including a consideration of recent case law and current and future trends. Timothy Killen KC was appointed King's Counsel in March 2026. He has extensive experience across all lines of non-marine insurance and reinsurance matters, and is recommended in both the legal directories as a leading practitioner in insurance and reinsurance work, and as havingunparalleled experience of commercial litigation it the Middle East. Matthew Watson has a thriving commercial disputes practice, with extensive experience litigating a range of insurance disputes both for the insurer and the insured. He is particularly singled out for his experience and knowledge of DIFC law and practice, and he is one of the contributors to DIFC CourtPractice.

In this epsiode of the 3VB Speaks podcast James Sharpe, Timothy Killen and Sophia Dzwig take a look back at some of the most interesting insurance cases which have raised specific points of law.Among the cases they consider are Sky v Riverstone, Carbis Bay Hotel and the ongoing Bath Racecourse cases. James has particular expertise in insurance matters. He advises upon and litigates all insurance related disputes. He is recommended in both the legal directories as a leading practitioner in Insurance and Reinsurance. Tim has extensive experience across all lines of non-marine insurance and reinsurance matters, and is recommended in both the legal directories as a leading practitioner in Insurance and Reinsurance work. In 2025 Tim wasshortlisted for “Insurance Junior of the year” at the Chambers and Partners Bar Awards. Sophia is regularly instructed in substantial insurance matters raising novel legal issues and is ranked as a leading junior the Legal 500. She acts as sole counsel and is regularly led by leading members of the insurance bar.3VB Speaks is edited and produced by Adam Batstone Media & Communications.

⁠Peter Ratcliffe⁠ specialises in heavy and complex insurance and reinsurance disputes. He was the Chambers & PartnersInsurance Junior of the Year in 2010 and 2022, and Legal 500 Financial Services and Insurance Junior of the Year in 2022. Recent instructions include advising on the war risks / all-risk claims arising out of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and a number of COVID-19 business interruption claims, including the FCA Test Case. ⁠William Day is ranked in both Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500 for insurance work. Recent instructions includeStonegate in the Commercial Court, London International Exhibition Centre in the Court of Appeal, and Bath Racecourse which has recently been given permission to go to the Supreme Court. He is also acting in a major credit insurance dispute arising out of the collapse of Greensill Bank. Gretel Scott⁠ is a commercial junior who moved to the Bar having previously qualified as a solicitor at Slaughter and May. Whilst at Slaughter and May, she acted for one of the insurers in the FCA Test Case. She retains an active interest in insurance disputes work at the bar alongside a diet of banking, fraud and art law cases. Gretel has also spent a year as the judicial assistant to Lord Briggs in the Supreme Court.  In this episode Peter, Will and Gretel discuss issues arising in relation to the notification of insurance claims.

In episode ten of 3VB Speaks, Adam Kramer KC andJames Sharpe discuss joint and composite insurance policies, in the light of the recent Bath Racecourse decision of the Court of Appeal. Adam appeared in this major case in early 2025 on the application of limits in composite insurance policies and the impact of furlough payments on the quantum of insurance claims, worth billions to insurers. Both Adam and James work actively in the insurancefield. Adam has become a leading expert in businessinterruption insurance and COVID-19 claims after appearing in FCA v Arch Insurance (UK) Ltd, and has since advised various policyholders, brokers and the FCA on the application of the decision to other policies and on unresolvedissues left over from the test case. James has particular expertise in insurance matters. He regularly acts for and advises insureds and insurers in respect of insurance policies. He advises upon and litigates all insurance related disputes including: dealing with insolvent insureds and insurance companies; subrogated recovery claims; and all coverage disputes.James also acts for other insurance intermediaries in professional negligence claims.

In this episode of 3VB Speaks we focus on the regulatory sector and group litigation claims. Peter de Verneuil Smith KC is one of the leading experts in commercial group litigation and is acting for a group of claimants in the largest s90 FSMA claim to date against Glencore. Saima Hanif KC is a global expert in financial services regulation, and has acted in numerous Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) disputes, both before the FOS and in the High Court, many involving high volume claims.  In this podcast, Saima and Peter discuss the recent trend of high volume regulatory complaints before the FOS, the problems this throws up and learning from High Court group actions. 3VB Speaks is produced and edited by Adam Batstone Media & Communications Saima Hanif KC and Peter de Verneuil Smith KC....

In this podcast, Andrew Sutcliffe KC and William Day address the question of who has standing to make applications to Court under company and insolvency legislation. Andrew and William have together appeared in a number of recent cases on that question – culminating with a successful appeal to the Supreme Court in Brake v Chedington, where a bankrupt purported to challenge the actions of their trustee in bankruptcy in respect of bankruptcy assets. The Supreme Court judgement is available online here.

In recognition of mental health awareness week, Charlotte Eborall and Clarissa Jones talk about mental health and wellbeing at the Bar; the importance of raising awareness about the sorts of issues barrister might face and what the profession does to support practitioners at all stages of their career. They also cover the various outreach initiatives that 3VB is involved in. Andrew Onslow KC also gives his perspective as a senior silk, sharing his own personal experience. The podcast looks at some of the issues which can make life at The Bar uniquely stressful and the efforts that are being made by 3VB and more widely to address them - not least by means of the Bar Council's Wellbeing At The Bar website. Charlotte is the chair of 3VB’s CSR committee. She is an experience senior junior specialising in complex and high value commercial litigation in the fields of banking, financial services and regulation, civil fraud and general commercial disputes. Andrew Onslow KC has been in practice at 3VB for 40 years. He is a highly accomplished advocate, recognised for his work in commercial areas covering Art & Cultural Property, Banking & Finance, Fraud and Professional Negligence. Clarissa Jones joined 3VB in 2018 following successful completion of pupillage. She has since worked on a broad range of notable cases, including disputes involving allegations of fraud and the dissipation of assets, complex financial transactions and enforcement. Prior to joining Chambers, Clarissa spent a year working as a paralegal in the Structured Finance department at Linklaters. 3VB Speaks is produced and edited by Adam Batstone Media & Communications

In this episode of 3VB Speaks barristers Philip Hinks and William Day discuss schemes of arrangement and in particular the recent Provident and Amigo cases in which they appeared on behalf of customer advocate John York. The court was considering redress claims against consumer finance companies in relation to unaffordable and unsustainable lending. 

In episode 5 of the 3VB Speaks podcast, Peter de Verneuil Smith QC and Adam Kramer QC discuss the recent RSA Insurance Group decision in which Peter successfully defended a group action against a limitation strike out by relying on the fraud limitation extension. Limitation challenges are a typical feature of Financial Services litigation where in many cases claimants are only aware of wrongdoing years of after the event. Adam and Peter consider the insights of the case for s.90A FSMA claims and group litigation generally.

In the latest episode of 3VB Speaks, Hefin Rees QC and Cleon Catsambis discuss a recent case they were instructed in on behalf of Sir Frederick Barclay and his daughter, against other members of the Barclay family, following the discovery of a covert audio recording device at The Ritz Hotel in London where Sir Frederick would hold business meetings relating to the Barclay business empire. These conversations captured highly confidential and commercially-sensitive business information, as well as some meetings between Sir Frederick and his lawyers. The various court hearings that took place in London in which both Hefin and Cleon acted for the Claimants attracted a significant amount of press coverage, including television, radio, and all newspaper outlets. Their conversation focuses on the use of a Doorstep Delivery Up Order as an unusual means of obtaining information from the defendants.