A ‘trusted presence in the market’, Clyde & Co LLP’s sizeable insurance team remains at the forefront of the Middle East insurance market, regularly involved in key sector developments and the drafting of key regulations. The practice is composed of specialists across the full range of insurance matters, from property and casualty to cyber and financial lines. Mark Beswetherick is head of the insurance, financial and professional disputes team, while non-contentious insurance specialist Peter Hodgins acts as global head of corporate insurance, advising an impressive roster of financial services clients on insurance and reinsurance matters. Alfred Thornton is a go-to for clients across the energy, construction and engineering sectors for representation in insurance disputes. Head of the firm’s medical malpractice team Michael Ducker represents insurers and reinsurers, practitioners, clinics and hospitals on both a local and international basis. Roshanak Bassiri-Gharb has expert knowledge of corporate insurance matters, while Robert James and Rebekah Jones are adept at handling coverage and liability disputes.

DWF Middle East LLP‘s ‘exceptionally talented and brilliant team’ provides a full-service insurance offering, with specialist knowledge of highly technical insurance matters. The team advises major insurance providers on matters from claims and coverage to corporate transactions and regulatory and compliance issues. Its expertise encompasses a broad range of sectors, including financial and commercial lines, cyber, marine, political risk and trade credit. Promoted to insurance commercial director MENA in May 2024, Victoria Clucas advises insurers and reinsurers across multiple jurisdictions on property, energy and construction, and claims and coverage disputes. Specialist insurance disputes lawyer Brian Boahene represents clients in courts locally and across the Middle East. An expert in subjugated recoveries, Bill Evans has a multi-jurisdictional insurance disputes practice, while Adam Pryor is regularly called upon by both regional and international clients to handle insurance and professional liability disputes. Bhavesh Dattani heads the insurance regulatory team, and Alex Kelsall is another name to note.

The team at HFW is composed of ‘insurance and reinsurance industry experts’ who are active in local UAE and the DIFC courts. In addition to its active contentious practice, the group advises policyholders in the medical health space and insurers and brokers on establishing themselves on the DIFC and KSA platforms. Sam Wakerley is adept at handling complex reinsurance disputes and is praised for his ‘excellent technical knowledge’ across a broad spectrum of insurance matters. Focusing on the property, energy, casualty and professional indemnity sectors, Justin Whelan specialises in insurance and reinsurance claims, policy coverage and subrogated recoveries. Leveraging his experience as head of the firm’s regulatory practice, John Barlow is a go-to for financial institutions, advising insurers and reinsurers on claims, disputes and the development of insurance products. Luke Garrett brings to the team experience in the aerospace sector, while Salma Achour Khouaja and Thomas Neighbour have active insurance litigation practices.

Drawing on the firm’s global network, Kennedys‘ ‘efficient and professional’ insurance team is adept at handling contentious and non-contentious matters at an international level. The group is called upon by local and international insurers and reinsurers thanks to its expertise in insurance-backed commercial disputes and across the gamut of industries and services, from aviation to healthcare and medical to specialty lines. An expert in claims handling and avoidance, Peter Ellingham advises international insurers and reinsurers on fraud and theft, property damage, business interruption and policy interpretation. Promoted to partner in May 2024, Rishi Sengupta focuses his commercial disputes practice on insurance and reinsurance matters. Mehdi Seadon specialises in property, energy and construction, aviation and trade credit disputes, and Reem Bangina is also noted.

Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP provides specialist insurance advice, including alternative risk transfer, to a diverse roster of insurers and brokers, and also offers captive insurance and reinsurance solutions. The team’s expertise ranges from product liability, injury, professional indemnity, business interruption and specialty risks. The team also houses an active marine insurance practice, as well as advising insurance companies on M&A transactions. Mohamed El Hawawy joined the team as head of insurance in March 2024, bringing a strong background representing insurers in a range of disputes, as well as advising on the drafting and review of policy. Saif Almobideen focuses his practice on marine insurance and his expertise covers matters such as collisions, grounding and cargo claims. Mahmoud El Sayed regularly litigates in coverage disputes, leveraging his broad knowledge of policy issues.

Property and business interruption claims are a particularly prolific area for the insurance team at Al Tamimi & Company. Praised for its ‘outstanding professionalism, expertise, and commitment to excellence’, the group is active in multi-jurisdictional matters and advises both global and regional insurance entities, PE houses and funds. Corporate insurance matters and licensing are other areas of expertise, and the team also provides comprehensive insurance regulatory advice and support. Yazan Saoudi leads, alongside ‘seasoned insurance lawyer’ Anand Singh, who advises an array of major clients from the insurance sector. Sakher Alaqaileh is another active member of the team, leading on matters within the automotive and retail industries.

Norton Rose Fulbright provides specialist advice to insurers and reinsurers across the Middle East, drawing on the firm’s corporate and M&A and regulatory capabilities to provide a comprehensive offering. The team houses a cyber incident response practice and is active in the warranty and indemnity insurance coverage space. It regularly handles financial lines and D&O claims and enjoys a successful track record in professional negligence liability defence. Shabnam Karim leads on the contentious side, handling insurance disputes across various jurisdictions. Spearheading the group’s non-contentious work, Adjou Ait Ben Idir focuses on M&A and warranties and indemnities matters. Simon Lamb and Ivana Cicic are other names to note.

Pinsent Masons LLP provides a full-service advisory, transactional and contentious offering to a diverse range of national and international insurers, reinsurers, intermediaries and policyholders.  Gregg Hammond joined the team in February 2024 from Ince & Co., strengthening the team’s insurance disputes offering; he brings to the group extensive experience in insurance litigation, arbitration and investigations. Barkha Doshi advises a roster of national and international insurers, reinsurers and financial services clients. Tom Bicknell left the firm in September 2024.