Neil Hext QC

Neil’s experience includes disputes arising out of share sale agreements, breach of warranty, commercial property transactions, development agreements, loan agreements, insurance and reinsurance, partnerships, joint ventures, guarantees and performance bonds, contractual construction, breach of fiduciary duty, director’s duties, constructive trusts, and misrepresentation.

He has a particular interest in commercial fraud litigation and asset tracing claims, having appeared in a number of high profile cases in this field.  These cases have often involved international elements and disputes arising out of the ownership and management of companies and joint ventures.  He has experience of tracing funds in foreign jurisdictions. 

He regularly litigates in the Commercial Court and in arbitration, and has appeared on a number of occasions in the Court of Appeal.  He is also instructed in international arbitration.

His practice includes an expertise in urgent interlocutory relief, including freezing injunctions, Norwich Pharmacal and Bankers Trust orders.

He has been described in the directories as “ferociously bright, with an excellent eye for detail”, his “judgment is very good in difficult situations,” and he “provides clear and business-focused advice”.

His cases include:

• A v. B (2019) (Dubai International Arbitration Centre; claim by contractor for wrongful termination of contract in context of IT systems integration project)
• Campbell v. Campbell (2019) (partnership dispute relating to international jewellery business; action for account)
• Velocity Composites Plc v. Bridges [2019] EWHC 907 (Ch) (resisting injunction to prevent shareholders from voting against re-appointment of director at company’s AGM; construction of restrictive terms in shareholder agreement)
• Millharbour Investments Ltd v. Caddick (Mill Harbour) Ltd (2018) (dispute between developer, purchaser and sub-purchaser relating to construction of residential apartment block in Canary Wharf; whether latent defects cover complied with contractual requirements; operation of long-stop termination provisions)
• Grenda Investments Ltd v. Barton [2017] EWHC 2371 (Comm) (£20m claim under loan agreements; oral set-off agreement between related parties; summary judgment application dismissed; case to be managed as part of the multi-party SFO v. Litigation Capital Ltd litigation)
• Hexglade Ltd v. Cooper (2017) (£3m fraud allegedly perpetrated by finance director of travel agency business; freezing injunctions and tracing of proceeds into assets in hands of defendant and recipients; section 423 claim in respect of transferred assets)
• Rollerteam Ltd v. Riley [2016] EWCA 1291 (CA); [2015] EWHC 1545 (Ch); Sherlock Holmes International Society Ltd v. Aidiniantz [2013] EWHC 1381 (Ch) (claim against shadow director for misappropriation of gate proceeds of museum; issues included directors’ powers and duties, breach of fiduciary duty, freezing injunctions and misappropriation of corporate assets; dispute subsequently arising out of settlement agreement; applicability of s. 2 Law of Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1989).
• Re TPD Investments Ltd [2016] EWHC 507 (Ch) (third party disclosure application arising from s. 994 petition relating to joint venture company alleging that ownership of company had been wrongly removed from company’s control; dilution of applicants shareholding; and debts wrongly allocated to the company).
• Zurich Insurance plc v. Asons Solicitors Ltd (2016) (QB) (freezing injunction against solicitors firm arising out of alleged misrepresentation relating to costs claims; claim in deceit, unlawful means conspiracy and restitution).
• Ambey Capital Private Ltd v. Virgin Infraa Asia Investments Inc [2014] EWHC 3345 (QB) (freezing injunction arising out of cross-border advanced fee fraud via Cypriot bank accounts allegedly perpetrated by BVI company against Indian conglomerate in relation to funding for Nepali construction project; issues include conspiracy to defraud, misrepresentation, guarantees and restitution).
• Barclay Pharmaceuticals Ltd v. Waypharm LP [2012] EWHC 306 (Comm) (a £9m letter of credit fraud arising out of presentation of false invoices and freight forwarder’s certificates of receipt; issues included tracing of payments through French SAS, conspiracy to defraud, unlawful means conspiracy, unlawful interference, inducing breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, secret profits and restitution).
• Wirecard Bank AG v. Scott (2009) (claim by banks for alleged conspiracy to defraud in relation to the supply of Olympic tickets; issues included deceit, conspiracy, constructive trusts, freezing injunctions and a claim under section 15 of the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986).

“Straightforward, highly analytical and impressive on his feet.” – Legal 500, 2020

“A very impressive and compelling advocate. Voraciously intelligent but nevertheless able to explain complex points clearly.” “Clear thinking and decisive with a good grasp of strategy and commercial outcomes.” – Chambers & Partners, 2020

“Fantastically detailed and very diligent.” “He has a great eye for detail and is able to drill down to the heart of the most complex of cases. Highly intelligent and analytical.” – Chambers & Partners, 2019

Neil acts for both insurers and insureds dealing with the entire range of coverage issues.  He has experience that is both broad and in depth, encompassing issues of non-disclosure and misrepresentation, breach of warranty, application of conditions precedent, as well as aggregation, the Third Parties (Rights Against Insurers) Acts, subrogation and notification of circumstances in claims made policies.  His experience includes public liability policies, material damage/business interruption, directors & officers insurance, construction/erection all risks, employers’ liability, jewellers block policies and professional indemnity.  He regularly advises both insurers and insureds on policy response, including on questions of fraud, and has also advised insurers on drafting of policy terms.

Neil has a particular interest in construction related insurance and advises on design and build cover and contractors all risks policies.  He has expertise in the effect of the joint insurance provisions in the standard construction forms and significant experience in the issues that frequently arise as to the width of cover for construction defects following a notification.

He has acted in a number of cases involving claims on financial advisers’ liability policies arising out of FCA mandated remediation schemes, dealing with coverage issues, and in particular the threshold for notification of circumstances.

He has particular experience in relation to the arguments that commonly arise in relation to the solicitors’ minimum terms, including the meaning and effect of the aggregation clause, and its application to bulk retail practices.  He also advises on public/employer’s liability cover for historical abuse claims.

Neil regularly acts in insurance broking cases and has appeared in a number of the recent important cases in this area.

He is recognised in Chambers & Partners as a leading Silk in Insurance, “a silk known for the quality of his advice”, “gets to the nub of things very quickly”, “he delivers robust, comprehensive and well-formulated commercial advice and products exceptional advocacy” (Chambers & Partners, 2018); “technically excellent and a real fighter”, “Incredibly bright and hard working, and particularly good on highly technical insurance issues” , “he’s an absolutely brilliant teamworker and someone who looks at the detail and picks up points other people would miss“ (Chambers & Partners, 2017); “ferociously bright, with an excellent eye for detail”  (Chambers & Partners, 2016).

His important cases in this field include:

• Dalamd Ltd v. Butterworth Spengler Commercial Ltd [2019] Lloyd’s Rep IR 295 (claim against insurance broker arising out of fire at waste recycling facility; effect of non-disclosure on variation of composite policy; test for causation in broker’s claims; whether balance of probabilities or loss of a chance)
• Pakeezah Meat Supplies Ltd v. Total Insurance Solutions Ltd [2019] Lloyd’s Rep IR 137 (assessment of damages in brokers claim)
• Channon v. Ward [2017] EWCA Civ 13 (Court of Appeal; representing broker in £1.8m claim arising out of failure to place accountants’ PI cover; whether notional policy would have paid out)
• A £30m claim against insurers arising out of dispute between design and build contractor and employer for alleged defects in the design of a waste processing plant; alleged failure of process to pass reliability testing; whether contractually waste was “acceptable waste”; cause of catastrophic failure of one of main structural members in composting hall (2015)
• Ocean Finance & Mortgages Ltd v. Oval Insurance Broking Ltd (2015) (acting for brokers in the context of an £4m claim arising out of alleged failure to make a block notification in respect of sale of PPI products)
• Acting for the Claimants in an arbitration brought under the Third Parties (Rights against Insurers) Act 1930 concerning the aggregation provisions of the solicitors’ minimum terms (2015)
• Homeserve plc v. RSA (2014) (claim against insurers by financial services provider for costs of remediation exercise mandated by FCA)
• Jones v. Environcom Ltd [2010] Lloyd’s Rep IR 676 (claim against brokers arising out of fire at waste processing facility; scope of broker’s duty to explain duty of utmost good faith; whether insured insurable); [2010] Lloyd’s Rep IR 190 (whether insurers seeking negative declaration in relation to cover can obtain security for costs against counterclaiming insured)
• Dedames v. NFU Mutual [2009] EWHC 2805 (non-disclosure and affirmation)
• Mopani Copper Mines plc v. Millennium Underwriting Ltd [2009] Lloyd’s Rep IR 158 (significance of deletions to construction of reinsurance slip)

“Tackles difficult issues and difficult clients with aplomb.” – Legal 500, 2020

“Has a real grasp of the issues right away.” – Legal 500, 2019

Neil’s practice in this area focuses on lawyers, brokers, construction professionals, accountants and surveyors.  He deals with all aspects of lawyers’ liability, from solicitors’ negligence to vicarious liability for fraud.  He has been instructed on a number of high value and complex cases, including claims arising from the purchase of a football club, an alleged conspiracy to appropriate copyright material, and a US hedge fund’s finance of a property development in Pakistan.

His work in the context of brokers dovetails neatly with his insurance practice, with claims frequently being brought against both insurers and the brokers.  His experience here encompasses the brokers’ duty to obtain insurance that meets the insured’s needs, to ensure that the insured understands its duty of utmost good faith, and to explain relevant exclusions, warranties and conditions precedent.  It also includes the difficult causation and scope of duty issues that can arise where breach of duty is established. He has acted in a number of the recent important cases in this area.

He has considerable expertise in relation to disputes arising from tax mitigation schemes, having been involved in litigation over the Evolution and other film finance schemes.  He has dealt with numerous professional liability cases with a tax element, acting for or against lawyers, accountants and financial advisers.  He has also had significant experience in the management of group litigation.

Neil’s practice also includes claims against construction professionals and accountants.  He recently acted for the Claimants in a €40m claim against accountants and solicitors.  He acted for actuaries in a €30m claim arising out of the purchase of a pension fund.

He edits the chapter on surveyors in Jackson & Powell on Professional Liability.

His cases include:

• Jago v. Mortgage4You Ltd [2019] EWHC 533 (QB) (claim against mortgage advisers arising out of re-mortgage to finance foreign property investment; limitation and application of knowledge provisions under s. 14A of the Limitation Act 1980)
• Dalamd Ltd v. Butterworth Spengler Commercial Ltd [2019] Lloyd’s Rep IR 295 (claim against insurance broker arising out of fire at waste recycling facility; effect of non-disclosure on variation of composite policy; test for causation in broker’s claims; whether balance of probabilities or loss of a chance)
• Pakeezah Meat Supplies Ltd v. Total Insurance Solutions Ltd [2019] Lloyd’s Rep IR 137 (assessment of damages in brokers claim)
• Channon v. Ward [2017] EWCA Civ 13 (Court of Appeal; representing broker in £1.8m claim arising out of failure to place accountants’ PI cover; whether notional policy would have paid out)
• Ocean Finance & Mortgages Ltd v. Oval Insurance Broking Ltd (2015) (acting for brokers in the context of an £4m claim arising out of alleged failure to make a block notification in respect of sale of PPI products)
• acting for the Claimants in group litigation brought against a firm of solicitors, and subsequently in arbitration against insurers, alleging failures in the advice given regarding an equity release scheme (2015)
• AW Group Ltd v. Taylor Walton [2014] EWCA Civ 592 (Court of Appeal; solicitors: acting for respondent solicitors in appeal against dismissal of claim arising out of purchase of industrial estate)
• Community Gateway Association Ltd v. Beha Williams Norman Ltd [2011] EWHC 2311 (TCC) (defending housing consultant in £16m claim arising out of transfer of local authority housing stock)
• Jones v. Environcom Ltd [2010] PNLR 27 (brokers: claim for failure of broker to explain duty of utmost good faith; whether insured insurable)
• Berry v. Laytons [2009] EWHC 1591 (solicitors: claim for negligent advice on Commercial Agents Regulations)

Neil is frequently instructed in cases that have a construction or engineering element.  He has significant experience of mastering the technical issues that arise, and quickly assimilates the detail.  He is used to dealing with the complex contractual arrangements that apply, such as those relating to delay, variation, termination, completion and acceptance standards.

His experience includes litigating and advising upon the effect of the joint insurance provisions in both the JCT and NEC standard forms.

He has significant experience in arbitration (both as advocate and arbitrator) and is instructed in international arbitration.

His cases include:

• A v. B (2019) (Dubai International Arbitration Centre; claim by contractor for wrongful termination of contract in context of IT systems integration project)
• Advising on dispute arising out of EPC contract for the construction of a power plant in the Middle East (2018)
• Acting in dispute relating to insurance cover of subcontractor in £multi-million claim arising out of defective construction of stands at sports stadium (2018)
• Millharbour Investments Ltd v. Caddick (Mill Harbour) Ltd (2018) (dispute between developer, purchaser and sub-purchaser relating to construction of residential apartment block in Canary Wharf; operation of long-stop contractual termination provisions; effect of alleged defects on right to insist on completion; whether latent defects cover complied with contractual requirements)
• Adjudication arising out of the joint insurance provisions of the NEC 3 sub-contract (2018)
• A £30m claim against insurers arising out of dispute between design and build contractor and employer for alleged defects in the design of a waste processing plant; alleged failure of process to pass reliability testing; whether contractually waste was “acceptable waste”; cause of catastrophic failure of one of main structural members in composting hall (2015).
• Advising building owners on defects alleged in design, specification and installation of heat exchanger units in air conditioning system in office buildings (2015).
• Gondola Holdings v. Mersh (2014).  Claim arising from flood damage to computing equipment caused by allegedly defective design and installation of air conditioning equipment in ceiling void; HVAC engineering evidence and analysis of design of a/c drainage system.
• A multi-million pound claim by a large construction company against solicitors instructed to advise on amendments to DOM/2 and NEC3 forms of subcontract; pay-when-paid provisions in standard contractual terms
• Claim by specialist concrete contractor against insurers arising out of alleged defects in certain structures at Wembley stadium; allegations of failure of design and construction management (2011).

Neil has expertise both in breadth and in depth in relation to property damage cases.  Many of his cases relate to fires or floods, whether they be claims brought against a defendant alleged to be responsible for starting a fire, or ancillary claims on an insurance policy or against a broker.  He has significant experience of the technical issues that commonly arise, including investigation of the cause of the fire, issues relating to fire detection, prevention and spread, architectural/engineering questions arising out of the design of properties, compliance with building regulations, and product liability claims.

His cases in this field include:

• Dalamd Ltd v. Butterworth Spengler Commercial Ltd [2019] Lloyd’s Rep IR 295 (claim against insurance broker arising out of fire at waste recycling facility; whether insured had breached external storage condition at time of fire)
• Bacup Holding Co Ltd v. Navigators (2015) (claim against insurers and brokers arising out of flooding of warehouse as a result of river breaking its banks during storm);
• acting for defendant contractors in claim arising out of flood at office premises (2015);
• claim arising out of fire at factory; issues included causation of fire; whether device controlling heater defective or negligently designed (2013)
• Jones v. Environcom Ltd [2010] Lloyd’s Rep IR 676 (claim against insurers and broker re fire at waste processing plant; issues included causation of fire; whether insured’s processes in breach of health and safety regulations)
• Mopani Copper Mines plc v. Millenium U/W Ltd [2009] Lloyd’s Rep IR 158 (preliminary issues relating to significance of deletions to construction of reinsurance slip arising out of damage done to an electrostatic precipitator in smelting plant in Zambia)
• Bartoline v. RSA [2007] Lloyd’s Rep IR 423 (whether expenses arising out of environmental clean-up following fire covered under public liability insurance policy)
• acting for subcontractor in relation to claim arising out of significant fire at a superstore; issues included causes of fire-spread, and compliance with building regulations (2003).

Neil has significant experience in the context of information technology cases.  He has recently acted for an IT contractor in a DIAC arbitration.  He acted in two major insurance claims arising out of IT projects that have failed and is familiar with the complex issues arising out of delay in the context of a development programme and alleged failures to meet specification.

His cases include:

• A v. B (2019) (Dubai International Arbitration Centre; claim by contractor for wrongful termination of contract in context of IT systems integration project)
• Acting for resellers of telephone and broadband services in respect of the sale of a book of business (2018).