Insurance litigation – we’ve got it covered.


Burness Paull has represented clients in some of the most significant and high-profile insurance-backed disputes in Scotland.

The firm's insurance litigation lawyers collaborate with clients and their insurers to mitigate their liabilities and help to reduce claims spend, investigating claims and representing clients in courts across Scotland.

We act for global industry leaders on insurance litigation:

Clients value the commercial, technical and operational knowledge we bring to the defence of their claims. They often nominate us to their insurers to represent them in Scottish litigation.

Our clients include:

  • Offshore services companies
  • Ship-owners and operators
  • Construction companies and housebuilders
  • Utilities companies
  • Local and public authorities
  • Port and harbour authorities
  • Insurance companies and P&I clubs

Casualty


We represent clients in the full range of personal claims including employers, occupiers and public liability. This ranges from lower value claims to fatal claims and those for catastrophic injury.

Industrial disease


We have significant experience in advising on long-tail liabilities for insurers and for clients with a gap in their insurance. This includes claims relating to exposure to asbestos and other dusts, noise-induced hearing loss and hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS).

Property damage


We are regularly instructed both in the pursuit and defence of claims based on damage to property, infrastructure and utilities.

Policy and indemnity disputes/advice


We advise clients on insurance coverage and contractual indemnities, from the contracting stage to representation in court proceedings.

Offshore claims


Our offshore claims team work closely with our health and safety experts in dealing with oil and gas sector accidents. We frequently advise clients on the indemnity claims and are experienced in dealing with claims with an international element.

Marine


Instructed by marine insurers and P&I clubs, we have experience in defending claims for the owners and operators of vessels: from offshore support vessels to cruise ships and from fishing boats to ferries – and everything in-between. We represent clients in investigations by the MAIB and/or MCA and through the personal injury claims process. The team also has significant experience in defending asbestos litigation for shipowners.

Construction and housebuilding


We act for housebuilders and other construction companies in the defence of their personal injury claims from employer/contractor liabilities to third-party and indemnity claims.

Public sector


We act for local and public authorities, providing a cost-effective service to deal with the full range of claims from slips and trips to the most sensitive of litigation.