Chris is an established fraud practitioner in the context of road traffic, EL/PL and holiday sickness claims.
He regularly acts for most major insurers in relation to road traffic claims where fraud is suspected or explicitly alleged. He is routinely called upon to assist at all stages of litigation, from pre-action advice, conferencing and settling pleadings, through to trial advocacy.
Chris has extensive experience of multi-track and fast-track cases involving complex indemnity issues, staged accidents, ‘stooge’ vehicles, low-speed impact (LSI), phantom passengers, exaggerated and high-value credit hire and exaggerated personal injury claims that require consideration of Section 57 Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015.
In addition to trial advocacy, Chris is well-versed in dealing with interlocutory applications including applications to set aside judgment, resile from previous admissions of liability, CCMCs, costs-only proceedings and relief from sanctions applications.
Chris provides regular training on all aspects of casualty fraud, particularly in respect of novel and developing trends within this sector.
Credit Hire
Chris has particular expertise in high-value claims involving credit hire. He has extensive knowledge of the developing case-law in this area and is regularly called upon for cases concerning complex engineering evidence regarding roadworthiness, and cases involving profit-earning chattels (including taxis).
Recent Cases
- Bell v Leeds City Council [2023] Successful application for a finding of fundamental dishonesty following discontinuance in PL tripping claim – local press coverage, click here.
- Kavanagh v Hunt [2023] Multi Track taxi hire and storage claim exceeding £45k reduced to £1500 loss of profit – Hussain v EUI Limited applied.
- R v M [2022] – Successful defence of RTA claim and findings of fundamental dishonesty in respect of both the accident circumstances and extent of injury.
- H v P [2022] – Fundamental dishonesty pleaded. Following Chris’ cross-examination at trial, the Claimant agreed to discontinue and pay £5,000 towards the Defendant’s costs
- RS v PML [2021] – Acting for Defendant insurer in respect of a claim for hire charges in excess of £87k. Claim ongoing.
- IH v MW [2020] – The Claimant suffered a genuine accident but failed to disclose a subsequent and significant road traffic accident that occurred 6 days prior to his medico-legal examination. Finding of fundamental dishonesty obtained.
- SH v VS [2020] – Successful LVI defence in a claim brought by a credit controller who was a senior employee of the solicitor firm acting on his behalf. The Judge found that the Claimant had deceived numerous medical experts. Finding of fundamental dishonesty obtained.
Contact Christopher’s clerks
Senior Clerk – Andy Reeves on 0113 213 5252
Talia Webster on 0113 202 8609
