Abigail Smith

“I was attracted to Fenchurch Law initially by the firm’s excellent reputation within the legal insurance market, and unwavering commitment to levelling the playing field for policyholders in coverage disputes. Upon joining the firm, I was delighted to find myself part of a collegiate team of genuine insurance specialists whose values and culture are as impressive as their level of expertise.”

Abigail is an Associate solicitor specialising in coverage disputes and is a member of our Construction and Property team. Her recent experience includes: 

• Successfully securing a multi-million-pound indemnity for a public university after insurers had declined cover, citing a dishonesty exclusion.

• Advising a Tier 1 contractor in relation to a high-value aggregation dispute with insurers.

• Advising a leading developer in relation to recoveries from professional indemnity insurers in respect of post-Grenfell cladding and Building Safety Act exposures.

• Successfully securing a settlement at mediation for the owners of a substantial data-centre following the theft of extensive cabling, after insurers had voided cover on the basis of fraudulent misrepresentation. 

• Acting for a leading international actuarial firm in defence of a £50 million professional negligence claim.

• Defending brokers in high-value professional negligence claims, including a claim by a British business-business media group regarding Covid-19 losses and their event cancellation cover.

• Working alongside teams in the UAE, Jordan and Hong Kong on behalf of one of the largest UAE banks in a dispute arising out of the restructuring of a large integrated private healthcare provider.

• Acting for a leading Qatar-based insurer in the recovery of Covid-19 business interruption losses under various property catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance policies.

Prior to joining Fenchurch Law, Abigail worked as an Associate in the Financial Services Disputes and Investigations team at Eversheds Sutherland. She specialised in resolving high value and complex insurance disputes on behalf of policyholders, brokers and other large corporates.