Christopher Symons QC Call 1972; QC 1989; BA (Kent) E-mail: csymons@3vb.com

Christopher Symons specialises in insurance/reinsurance and professional negligence work but also practises in general commercial and common law work, financial/banking disputes, aviation, pensions and environmental law. He has considerable experience in acting both as an advocate and arbitrator in domestic and international arbitration. He also has experience acting as a mediator. He is a member of the Irish, Northern Ireland, Gibraltar and Brunei Bars.

Listed as a leading silk in the following legal directories:

Chambers and Partners UK Guide: Insurance
"Undoubtedly the set's best name in insurance, Christopher Symons QC scored a notable victory recently in Travelers v. Sun Life. 'One of the doyens of the field' his insurance experience is backed up by an unflamboyant but firm style."

Chambers and Partners UK Guide Commercial Dispute Resolution
"Christopher Symons QC - 'formidable cross-examination ability' ensures that he is frequently in demand for proceedings rooted in a variety of sectors."

Chambers and Partners UK Guide: Professional Negligence
"Christopher Symons QC is considered both 'remarkably skilled and client friendly'. His cases cover the commercial spectrum but professional negligence makes up a core part of his work."On 3VB the "unusually strong juniors ... complement silks of the quality of Christopher Symons QC ..."

Legal 500: Commercial Litigation
"Christopher Symons QC is recommended for his 'commanding and persuasive advocacy skills'."

Legal 500: Insurance
"Christopher Symons QC is said to be 'absolutely first rate and intellectually very strong indeed'."

Legal 500: Professional Negligence
"3 Verulam Buildings boasts a number of highly rated barristers including Christopher Symons QC who is noteworthy for litigating confidently for and against 'magic circle' City Solicitors amongst others."

Legal 500: Commercial Arbitration
"Christopher Symons QC has acted both as an advocate and arbitrator in many domestic and international arbitrations."

Practice

Commercial and common law work. Insurance and reinsurance, including Lloyd's acting for and against insurers and reinsurers. Actions by and against brokers and intermediaries. Professional negligence, in particular accountants, solicitors, barristers, surveyors/valuers, architects/engineers. Professional disciplinary hearings. Financial/Banking disputes. Regulatory work. Construction. Aviation. Environmental law.

Domestic and International Arbitration as Arbitrator and Counsel.

Recent/current litigation/arbitration includes:

• British Energy v. Credit Suisse and others Commercial Court re the option over Eggborough power station
• Outokumpo v. Axa Commercial Court re coverage for radiation contamination
• Bermuda Reinsurance Arbitration as Counsel in relation to Catastrophe reinsurance
• Boston Arbitration as an expert in English insurance law in a reinsurance arbitration relating to personal accident business
• Bermuda Arbitration as Arbitrator in dispute over coverage in relation to Financial Services losses
  
• The Accident Group insurance claims litigation.
  
• Travelers Casualty and others v. Sun Life Assurace Company of Canada (Commercial Court) insurance claim in respect of FSA actions), Insurance Arbitration involving US Company claim against its insurers in respect of wage and hour class action settlement


• Equitable Life (commercial court for the executive directors)
  
• Arbitration in relation to the insurance of the central Fund in arbitration


• Wiggins director disciplinary hearing (accountants' Joint Disciplinary Scheme)
  

• Tioxide v. CGU International pinking windows litigation (Commercial Court)
• Somatra v. Sinclair Roche and Temperley for the successful Claimant -Commercial court and CA
  
• Di Blasi v. Lloyd and Co for the solicitors Commercial court
  
• Countrywide Assured v. Marshall et ors Commercial Court (Dechert)
  
• Clark v. Ardington CA credit hire following Giles v. Thompson and Dimond v. Lovell. Acted for the defendant insurers
  
• Hammond Suddards v. Agrichem International Holdings - for the solicitors in an action for their fees and defending a negligence action
  
• Britvic Soft Drinks v. Messer UK Ltd [2002]- in defending Messer in the "benzine in soft drinks" product liability litigation
  
• J Rothschild Assurance plc v. J Collyear [1999] LRIR 6 - the first pensions mis-selling insurance claim
  
• Bristol and West v. Bhadresa [1999] 1 LRIR 138 application for costs against the Solicitors Indemnity Fund on withdrawal by SIF of insurance cover
  
• Charterhouse v. Sharp [1998] LRLR 266 acted for insurers in the action brought by Charterhouse
  
• Hamptons Residential v. Field [1997] 1 Ll 302; [1998] 2 Ll 248 CA acted for Hamptons against their insurers in dispute over notification
  
• Pacific and General v. Hazell [1997] 1 LRLR 65 acted for Defendant reinsurers of P&G in effect of insolvency on unpaid premium
  
• NRG v. Bacon and Woodrow and Ernst and Young [1997] IRLR 678 acted for Ernst and Young in their defence of the action dealing with the obligations of accountants when advising on the major acquisition of a reinsurance company
  
• Kuwait Airways Corporation v. Kuwait Insurance and Others [1996] 1 Ll 664 acted for brokers Willis Corroon - did policy provide cover for losses after invasion of Kuwait. Were brokers negligent in placing policy?
  
• Banque Bruxelles Lambert v. Eagle Star et ors [1995] LRLR 17 acted for John D. Wood. Successfully advanced the argument that valuers were not liable for losses suffered following a fall in the property market - later upheld in HL
  
• Acted for Maxwell Pension Trustees against their insurers in the Maxwell Crime and Trustee Policy Litigation
  
• Acted for Spicer and Pegler in the British and Commonwealth litigation
  
• Acted for Holbeck Hall Hotel in their action against Scarborough B.C. - the hotel that fell into the sea
  
• Acted for English Partnership defending the appeal brought by Mott MacDonald in relation to the clean up of Chatham Dockyard

Clients

Include the major insurance and reinsurance companies, Lloyd's syndicates and insureds, insurance brokers, accountants, solicitors, barristers, valuers, engineers and other professionals and their insurers. Banks and financial institutions. Major corporations. Financial Services Authority. Local Authorities etc.

Appointments