Simon has extensive experience in energy and marine insurance disputes. He regularly advises London and international insurers about complex claims in these areas and assists with the drafting of policy wordings.

In the marine insurance market, Simon advises on all classes of insurance, including hull and machinery, port risks, yachts, charterers’ liability, shipbuilders and repairers’ liability, marine professional indemnity, and cargo insurance. He has advised on complex disputes in these markets, relating to coverage and casualty response following maritime incidents across the world.

Simon has particular expertise in war risks and mortgagees interest insurance, having been instructed on a number of market-leading cases including the Mustafa Kan, Brillante Virtuoso, and St Nikolas cases which attracted significant media coverage. Within the war risks market, Simon has assisted the market in relation to cases arising out of the Russia/Ukraine conflict, kidnap and ransom of vessels and crew members in Africa (and elsewhere), detentions following allegations of drug smuggling (including under drug seizure policies), and other politically or financially-motivated detentions of vessels.

Simon is a leading shipping lawyer who acts principally for shipowners, charterers and traders, and P&I clubs in relation to a wide range of P&I and FD&D disputes encompassing disputes concerning charterparties, carriage of goods, sale of goods, ship sale and purchase and shipbuilding. He has advised on complex issues arising out of the Russian/Ukraine conflict, Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, trade embargoes in the Asia Pacific region giving rise to allegations of frustration/force majeure, disputes arising out of passage through the Panama canal and Great Lakes seaway system, and the continuing issue of contaminated bunkers being supplied in ports around the world.

Simon also supports the market in new product development and wording initiatives, including the market’s revision of war risks wordings and new product development in the renewables sector. He is a long-standing member of the organising committee for the Lillehammer Energy Claims Conference, the leading conference for energy insurance professionals. Additionally, he regularly speaks at industry conferences and is seen by the market as an authoritative voice on emerging issues in his sectors of expertise.

Featured Experience:

• Advising on coverage in relation to a number of substantial incidents, including the Gryphon A loss (at the time the third largest offshore energy loss ever recorded) and losses arising out of natural catastrophes in the United States, Turkey, and elsewhere in Europe
• Advising on a number of construction disputes in the US, Caribbean, Middle East, and Asia Pacific regions, and in relation to offshore casualty incidents including the Olinda Star and the loss of the Perro Negro 6 jack-up drilling rig
• Advising on market-leading marine insurance cases Mustafa Kan, Brillante Virtuoso, and St Nikolas

Endorsements:

• Simon is recognised by Legal 500 as a leading partner for insurance and reinsurance litigation, which describes him as the market’s “go-to for marine and energy insurance”. (Legal 500 UK, 2025, Insurance and Reinsurance Litigation).