Instruct Aidan

To instruct Aidan please contact our clerks on +44 (0)20 7842 5555 or email [email protected].

Aidan Christie KC has a general commercial practice with particular expertise in:

  • Financial Services / Regulatory
  • Professional Negligence
  • Commercial Litigation

Aidan has acted as an arbitrator on a number of occasions. He has also acted as an expert witness on English law relating to guarantees, Suretyship and one-way arbitration clauses in claims in the Russian courts brought by a major European Bank against the guarantors of a Russian agricultural conglomerate.

Aidan Christie is consistently recommended in the insurance/reinsurance, commercial litigation and professional negligence sections of Chambers & Partners and Legal 500.

Comments include:

  • He has it all…intellectually bright, commercially astute and very client friendly.
  • a class act, a natural on the front bench.
  • A first-class silk, whose advice is always commercial and insightful.
  • Excellent for high value international work.
  • He’s technically excellent, provides a great level of service and gives very accessible advice.
  • He gives good, commercial and pragmatic advice. He’s someone I’d go to to get things quickly analysed, he’s very effective.
  • Very user-friendly silk with a hands-on and commercial approach. He is a consummate professional, who is a polished performer who never appears ruffled.
  • Praised for his client-focused approach, his strong courtroom style and his ability to read a judge.

Aidan’s experience covers most areas of dispute within the insurance and reinsurance market in the past 36 years.  He acts for a wide range of clients including London market and international insurers and reinsurers as well as policyholders and has represented them in litigation in the Commercial Court in London (and Africa) and in arbitration both in London and internationally including Japan and Canada.  He acts both as an advocate and an advisor and his work includes advising major UK and international insurance companies on the drafting and interpretation of standard form contracts of insurance.

Featured Insurance & Reinsurance cases


London International Exhibition Centre Plc v Allianz Insurance PLC & Ors [2024] EWCA Civ 1026 – Covid-19 ‘at the premises’ litigation


UnipolSai Assicurazioni SpA v Covéa Insurance Plc [2024] EWCA Civ 1110 – recovery of Covid-19 business interruption losses under Catastrophe Excess of Loss reinsurance treaty


Zephyrus Capital Aviation Partners 1D Ltd v Fidelis Underwriting Ltd [2024] 4 WLR 47 – Russian Aviation Litigation, jurisdictional changes by reinsurers in the Operator claims


He was heavily involved in a number of the Lloyd’s Names’ actions and was extensively involved in disputes arising out of the terrorist attacks on 9/11 as well as natural disasters in the US including Hurricanes Katrina, Wilma, Rita and Ivan.  His recent work has focused particularly on claims under Financial Institution and Professional Indemnity policies including jurisdictional disputes arising from them but he has extensive recent experience as well of claims under CAR policies and all forms of liability policies.


Aidan sits as an arbitrator on insurance and reinsurance disputes and has provided expert evidence on insurance and commercial issues in connection with proceedings in Greece and Russia.


Aidan has considerable experience in regulatory issues affecting the insurance industry.  He has acted on behalf of the Financial Conduct Authority in regulatory proceedings involving the insurance industry.

His experience in reinsurance includes the following notable cases:

  • Acting for reinsurers in arbitration appeal (in Commercial Court and Court of Appeal) relating to recovery of Covid-19 business interruption losses under Catastrophe Excess of Loss treaty: UnipolSai Assicurazioni SpA v Covéa Insurance Plc [2024] EWHC 734 (Comm), [2024] Bus LR 664 (Foxton J) and [2024] EWCA Civ 1110, [2024] Bus LR 1878.
  • Acting for Hull All Risks reinsurers in jurisdictional challenge relating to Russian Aircraft Operator Policy Claims: Zephyrus Capital Aviation Partners 1D Ltd v Fidelis Underwriting Ltd [2024] 4 WLR 47.
  • Acting for reinsurers in appeal to Commercial Court from arbitration award relating to aggregation of events following 9/11: Simmonds v Gammell [2016] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 631.
  • Acting for reinsurers in a London arbitration under a QS treaty relating to facultative property business in the Middle East
  • Acting for reinsurers in a forthcoming arbitration relating to aggregation of Covid-19 claims.
  • Acting for facultative reinsurers of a liability policy in a London arbitration arising out of a supermarket construction project in Korea.
  • Acting for insurers/reinsureds in coverage disputes arising out of direct and XL policies relating to the construction of a chemical plant in Australia involving issues of allocation of losses and aggregation.
  • Acting for Lloyd’s reinsurers in arbitration proceedings in Canada relating to losses under catastrophe XL treaty following terrorist attacks on 9/11 raising issues of avoidance, aggregation and the scope of the LMX exclusion.
  • Acting for Irish reinsured in arbitration proceedings in London relating to operation of quota share treaties protecting life and accident business in Hong Kong.
  • Acting for Swiss reinsurers in London arbitration concerning catastrophe modelling and the application of an average clause following Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma.
  • Acting for London market reinsured in arbitration involving purported avoidance of a Marine Excess Loss Treaty following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita raising issues of calculation of aggregate exposures.
  • Acting for London market reinsured in arbitration proceedings in London in a claim for avoidance of excess of loss treaties protecting a marine energy book.
  • Acting for Japanese reinsurers in arbitration proceedings in London relating to interpretation of surplus treaties.
  • Acting for reinsurers in arbitration relating to operation of quota share treaties and calculation and taxation of profit commission.
  • Acting for US reinsurers in proceedings in the Commercial Court to avoid a treaty protecting specialised book of energy and construction business.
  • Acting for the Lloyd’s and company market in proceedings in the Commercial Court against retrocessionaires and brokers arising out of a retrocessional contract covering an Indian oil refinery.
  • Acting in arbitrations relating to US workers’ compensation business and Danish workers’ compensation business.

His experience in insurance includes the following notable cases:

  • Acting for insurers in Covid-19 ‘at the premises’ litigation at first instance and Court of Appeal: London International Exhibition Centre Plc v Allianz Insurance PLC & Ors [2023] Bus LR (Jacobs J) and [2024] EWCA Civ 1026.
  • An arbitration acting for 32 insurers subscribing to a £120m professional indemnity tower insuring one of the leading global companies in the financial services industry.
  • An arbitration acting for a leading European insurer in an arbitration in Ireland under a professional indemnity policy arising of the global financial crisis.
  • Leading Counsel for insurers in Commercial Court decision on non-damage denial of access clauses in response to Covid-19: Corbin & King Ltd v AXA Insurance UK Plc [2022] Lloyd’s Rep IR 299.
  • Leading Counsel for the Defendants in 4 week Chancery Division trial relating to the underwriting of motor insurance: Mulsanne Insurance Co Ltd v Marshmallow Financial Services Ltd [2022] EWHC 276 (Ch).
  • Leading Counsel for insurers in one of the first Commercial Court decisions on the Insurance Act 2015 relating to non-disclosure Berkshire Assets (West London) Limited v AXA Insurance UK Plc [2022] Lloyd’s Rep IR 275.
  • Acting for professional indemnity insurers in Commercial Court in successful avoidance of policy for for non-disclosure – Aldridge v Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe Limited [2016] EWHC 3037 (Comm).
  • Acting for ATE insurers in successful defence of policy claim on grounds of breach of conditions precedent: Denso Manufacturing UK Ltd v Great Lakes Reinsurance (UK) Plc [2017] Lloyd’s Rep IR 240.
  • Acting for D&O insurers in arbitration (in London) and litigation (in the Cayman Islands) relating to cover for defence costs incurred in proceedings against the insured in the US.
  • Acting for insurers of Financial Institution policies in claims for negative declaratory relief in the Commercial Court relating to claims against the insureds in the US and in an application for an anti-suit injunction to restrain proceedings in South Carolina.
  • Acting for one of the world’s largest metal producers in a London arbitration for an indemnity under an All Risks policy in respect of contingent business interruption losses suffered at a plant in Siberia.
  • Acting for insurers in claim for negative declaratory relief under CAR and public liability policies issued to designer/builder of basements of golf villa residences in County Kildare, Republic of Ireland (Axa Insurance UK Ltd v Thermonex Ltd [2013] Lloyd’s Rep IR 323).
  • Acting for insurers in respect of claims made by solicitors insured within the assigned risks pool and arising out of alleged mortgage fraud.
  • Acting for insurers in Commercial Court claim to avoid global Product Liability policy (alternatively decline liability) in respect of claims against Laporte plc in the US arising out of the supply and distribution of CCA treated garden furniture in the US resulting in personal injury claims.
  • Acting for insured (specialist engineers in power generation industry) in Commercial Court claim against insurers under combined Public/Product Liability policy arising out of damage by and to gas turbine engine at Scottish & Southern Electricity generation plant in Weymouth.
  • Advising UK subsidiary of Japanese insurance company as to the coverage and terms and conditions of its standard Public/Product Liability policy.
  • Advising major UK insurer on scope of its standard public liability policy.
  • Advising London Underground Limited on a number of major liability claims arising out of the construction of the Jubilee Line extension including claims at London Bridge station and the surrounding area and Pall Mall.
  • Advising insurers in relation to claim under Product Liability policy following fire caused by supply of catering equipment by specialist manufacturer.
  • Acting for coverholder in London arbitration relating to operation of Lloyd’s Binding Authorities in US.
  • Acting for insured insolvency practitioner in arbitration relating to avoidance of professional indemnity policy of insurance.
  • Acting for insurers of solicitors in arbitration proceedings relating to notification of claims against solicitors for alleged mortgage fraud.
  • Acting for insurers in Commercial Court claim for indemnity under policy protecting financial institution against wrongful trading.
  • Acting for the insured in an arbitration involving the purported avoidance of a policy of residual value insurance covering the largest fleet of leased motor vehicles in Europe.
  • Acting for Australian and Monagesque insurers and reinsurers with substantial involvement in the Complicity and Forever Mine films.
  • Acting for the Flashpoint film production companies in claims by Lexington to recover over $100 million in respect of funds advanced for film production.
  • Acting for legal expenses insurers in successfully resisting claim by third party to recover costs under Third Parties (Rights against Insurers) Act 1930 (Tarbuck v Avon [2002] QB 571).
  • Acting for insurers in successfully resisting claim by insured to recover consequential losses following rejection of claim (Normhurst v Dornoch [2005] Lloyd’s Rep IR 27).
  • Acting for insurers in a claim brought in the Technology and Construction Court against insurers by contractors under CAR policy arising out of the construction of a runway at Manchester Airport.
  • Acting successfully for professional indemnity insurers in claim to avoid professional indemnity policy involving issues relating to interpretation of Special Institution Clauses.
  • Advising major insurance companies on the wordings of their standard form professional indemnity policies and public and employers’ liability policies.

His experience in respect of brokers and underwriting agents includes the following:

  • Acting for brokers in Commercial Court proceedings arising out of Lifecare Fund litigation in South Africa (Alexander Forbes v Glencairn).
  • Acting for brokers in Commercial Court claims against Grant Thornton arising out of collapse of Parmalat (Grant Thornton v Arch Specialty Insurance).
  • Acting for insured in Commercial Court claim against brokers arising out of damage to gas turbine engine.
  • Acting for brokers in defending claim brought by bailee in Ramco v Weller Russell & Laws [2009] Lloyd’s Rep IR 27.
  • Acting for brokers in major brokerage case defending brokers against Equitas’ claim for withheld monies and extensive retrospective accounts of their dealings.
  • Acting for brokers in claim brought by Volkswagen UK in the Commercial Court relating to placement of residual value insurance protecting their leased fleet of cars.
  • Acting for brokers in Commercial Court proceedings arising from the Steamship litigation.
  • Acting for brokers in a negligence claim following damage to the Grand Marriott Hotel Cayman as a result of Hurricane Ivan.
  • Acting for brokers in relation to a potential claim arising from damage to a well-known chain of restaurants as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
  • Acting for stop loss insurers in claim for misrepresentation against brokers acting as coverholders in relation to binding and issue of stop loss cover protecting Names at Lloyd’s (Avon Insurance v Swire Fraser [2000] Lloyd’s Rep IR 535.
  • Acting for brokers in the Commercial Court action brought by the Charterhouse group of companies alleging negligence in relation to advice given concerning banker’s blanket bond (Charterhouse Development (France) Limited v Sharp [1998] Lloyd’s Rep IR 266).
  • Acting for managing agents in claims by Names against Merrett agencies on preliminary issue in House of Lords on duty of care (Henderson v Merrett Syndicates).

Aidan is representing the operators of the £100 million Connaught Income Fund in a group action involving approximately 1,000 retail investors in an Unregulated Collective Investment Scheme and appeared on their behalf at the hearing in the Commercial Court to determine issues relating to assignment and the right to sue under section 150 (now 138D) FSMA 2000 (Connaught Income Fund Series 1 (in liquidation) v (1) Capita Financial Managers Limited (2) Blue Gate Capital Limited [2014] EWHC 3619 (Comm).

He is also involved on behalf of insurers in the litigation following the collapse of the Honister/Burns-Anderson IFA networks.

Aidan has worked regularly for the FCA and advised on technical issues relating to the conduct of insurance and reinsurance business.

Aidan has been involved in a number of claims in relation to the provision of financial services in Jersey including acting for the Lloyd’s market in claims arising under D&O policies in relation to proceedings brought by the Jersey Financial Services Commission alleging breaches of the Collective Investment Fund (Jersey) Law 1988.

He has acted for the Lloyd’s market in claims arising under D&O policies by directors of UK and Gibraltar insurance companies subject to DTI investigation concerning alleged breaches of Financial Services Act.  He appeared on behalf of Lloyd’s underwriters in a claim in High Court of Malawi in claim under D&O policy covering directors of the Finance Bank Malawi.

Aidan has extensive experience of professional negligence cases across the main professions. His work involves him acting both for and against professionals particularly in cases concerning lawyers, insurance brokers, accountants, auditors, stockbrokers, valuers, hedge fund directors, financial advisers and agents in the securities industry. In addition to his experience in relation to claims against brokers and underwriting agents, his experience includes:

 

Featured Professional Negligence cases


Acting for the main respondents in the scheduled appeal from the first instance decision in Co-operative Group Limited v Birse Developments Ltd [2014] BLR 359 on issues relating to limitation and assignment.


Acting for Local Authority in claims against solicitors and accountants for negligent advice in relation to Private Finance Initiative educational project in South Wales.


Acting for sponsors of Enterprise Zone Trust in claims for £30 million relating to the valuation of Plaza Tower and Plaza Court in Telford.


Acting for the auditors of Syndicate 190 in claim against them by Syndicate Names.


Acting for auditors in claim relating to alleged failure to detect fraud.


Assisting Jersey advocates in long-running litigation defending claims against stockbrokers by numerous investors in Eurobonds issued by Confederation Life Insurance Company.


Acting for receiving agents in claim against them by Carnival Corporation arising out of its partial share offer for the share capital of P&O Princess Cruises.


Acting for one of the professional advisers in the claim relating to the Orion slate in the Film Finance litigation.

Aidan is regularly involved in work of a general commercial nature.  He has provided expert evidence to foreign courts on a number of occasions including:

  • The Moscow Arbitrazh Court on English law relating to assignments.
  • In 2014/15 to the Russian Courts on English law in respect of guarantees, suretyship and one-way arbitration clauses.

Featured Commercial Litigation cases


Acting, since June 2017, as Leading Counsel for the cladding contractor, CEP Architectural Facades, initially at the public inquiry and in the continuing civil proceedings


Acting for factory owner in TCC claim arising from fire at factory premises: Goodlife Foods Ltd v Hall Fire Protection Ltd [2017] BLR Plus 30 (TCC) – exclusions clause, incorporation of standard terms and UCTA.


Acting for Heathrow Airport Limited in a claim by British Airways arising out of a collision involving a 747 jet at Heathrow Airport.


Acting for manufacturer of Durex products in Chancery Division trial against distributor for wrongful termination of distributorship agreement relating to distribution of Durex products in South Africa.


Acting for European distributor of pharmaceutical products in claim against pharmaceutical manufacturer.


Acting for owner of waste plant for recovery of losses caused by fire as a result of defectively installed piping.


Acting for lender in claim to assert beneficial interest in fund held by administrators of Funding Corp Block Discounting Ltd v Lexi Holdings Plc [2008] 2 BCLC 596: Acting for lender in claim to assert beneficial interest in fund held by administrators..


Commercial arbitration before the Japan Commercial Arbitration Association in Tokyo relating to the distribution of Japanese manufactured cars in the UK.


Related proceedings in the UK against market competitor for conspiracy to injure.


Acting for charterers in a lengthy arbitration with the owners of a drilling rig in West Africa.


Acting for geotechnical experts in a claim relating to the construction of a storm drain under Brighton beach.


Acting for owners in claim relating to collapse of crane on North Sea platform.

Aidan Christie KC speaks on Lloyd’s Market Association panel on Subscription Market Brokerage Commissions

Aidan Christie KC joined a Lloyd’s Market Association panel talk on Subscription Market Brokerage Commissions before...

Court of Appeal judgment handed down in Unipolsai Assucurazioni S.p.A -v- Covéa Insurance Plc [2024] EWCA Civ 1110

Property catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance: was the outbreak of Covid-19 a “catastrophe” and aggregation of...

The ATP Litigation

The decision of the Court of Appeal in London International Exhibition Centre Plc v Allianz Insurance Plc [2024] EWCA...

4 Pump Court features in The Lawyer Top 10 Appeals 2024

The Lawyer‘s Top 10 Appeals of 2024 has been released reflecting some of the key issues facing the legal industry and...

Instruct Aidan

To instruct Aidan please contact our clerks on +44 (0)20 7842 5524 or email [email protected].

  • Board Member of the Bar Standards Board (2015)
  • Chair of Bar Standards Board Professional Conduct Committee (2015)
  • Acting Deemster (Judge) of the Isle of Man Courts (1st instance and appeal) (2012)
  • Recorder of the Crown Court (2009)
  • LCIA Users’ Council
  • MCIArb
  • MA (Cantab) Law
  • BA (Oxon) Classics
  • French (working knowledge)

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