Simon is a partner at DAC Beachcroft LLP with a practice spanning Shipping, Marine Insurance and Energy Insurance and Shipping, and he leads the firm’s practices in these sectors.
Simon is a leading shipping lawyer. He acts principally for shipowners, charterers and traders and P&I Clubs in relation to a wide range of P&I and FD&D disputes encompassing disputes concerning charterparties, carriage of goods, sale of goods, ship sale and purchase and shipbuilding. In recent years he has advised on complex issues arising out of the Russian/Ukraine conflict, Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, trade embargoes in the Asia Pacific region giving rise to allegations of frustration/force majeure, disputes arising out of passage through the Panama canal and Great Lakes seaway system, and the continuing issue of contaminated bunkers being supplied in ports around the world.
Simon has extensive experience in energy and marine insurance disputes. He regularly advises London and international insurers in relation to complex claims in these sectors, and assists with the drafting of policy wordings. Simon is recognised by Legal 500 as a leading partner for insurance and reinsurance litigation, which describes him as the market’s “go-to for marine and energy insurance”. He regularly speaks at industry conferences and is seen by the market as an authoritative voice on emerging issues in his sectors of expertise.
In the Marine Insurance market, Simon advises in relation to all classes of insurance, including Hull & Machinery, Port Risks, Yachts, Charterers’ Liability, Ship /Builders and Repairers’ liability, Marine Professional Indemnity and Cargo insurance. He has advised in relation to complex disputes in these markets, both in relation to coverage and in relation to casualty response following maritime incidents which have occurred across the world.
Simon has a particular expertise in relation to War Risks and Mortgagees Interest insurance, having been instructed on a number of market leading cases including the Mustafa Kan, Brillante Virtuoso and St Nikolas cases which attracted significant media coverage. Within the war risks market, Simon has assisted the market in relation to cases arising out of the Russia/Ukraine conflict, kidnap & ransom of vessels and crew members in Africa (and elsewhere), detentions following allegations of drug smuggling (including under drug seizure policies) and other politically or financially motivated detentions of vessels.
In the energy market, Simon has advised on coverage in relation to a number of substantial incidents, including the Gryphon A loss (at the time the third largest offshore energy loss ever recorded) and losses arising out of natural catastrophes in the United States, Turkey and elsewhere in Europe. He has advised on a number of construction disputes in the US, Caribbean, Middle East and Asia Pacific regions, and in relation to offshore casualty incidents including the Olinda Star and the loss of the PERRO NEGRO 6 jack up drilling rig. Simon also supports the market in new product development and wordings initiatives, including the market’s revision of war risks wordings and new product development in the renewables sector. Simon is a long standing member of the organising committee for the Lillehammer Energy Claims Conference, the leading conference for energy insurance professionals.