EXPERTISE
Insurance
Graham is a leading specialist insurance lawyer, drawing on the knowledge and experience gained in his previous career as a chartered loss adjuster. He advises policyholders, brokers and insurers on disputed claims and all aspects relating to the interpretation and application of insurance contracts. Recent instructions include:
- advising on non-disclosure on a price comparison website of previous flood damage
- advising on the judicial review of a decision of the Financial Ombudsman
- advising on the liability of a householder for emergency stabilisation work on adjoining properties following a gas explosion
- advising on recovery under the Third Parties (Rights against Insurers) Act 2010 of the costs of rectifying insolvent contractors’ defective work.
Insurance Law Blog
Graham has a regular column in The Journal, the official magazine of the Chartered Insurance Institute, and has an insurance law blog (www.grahambartlettlaw.wordpress.com). He delivers seminars and webinars to local insurance institutes and to the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters.
Construction
Both as a barrister and as a chartered loss adjuster, Graham has been involved in a number of building disputes involving damage to both residential and commercial property. He has also dealt with claims under the insurance clauses in the JCT Standard Form of Building Contract and on Contractors All Risks insurance policies.
Commercial Property
Graham advises on commercial property disputes. Recent instructions include advising on the inclusion of fixtures and fitting within an asset sale agreement, lease renewal and car parking rights.
Business, Chancery, Company Law & Insolvency
Graham has had extensive involvement in company law litigation, including petitions for relief from unfair prejudice and other shareholder and director disputes. He has acted in insolvency proceedings including winding-up petitions and administration orders.
Ecclesiastical Law
Graham is a member of the Ecclesiastical Law Society and accepts instructions on matters relating to clergy discipline and faculty applications.
Personal Injury & Costs
Graham has a significant personal injury practice and advises on liability and quantum and drafts pleadings for both claimants and defendants. He has acted for claimants who have suffered permanent injuries and incapacity and when acting for insurer defendants is able to use his insurance background to advise on issues relating to reserves and litigation risk management. He also advises on costs and appears in contested assessments.
EDUCATION
- BSc Economics, University of Bath
- Associate Chartered Insurance Institute
- Associate Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters
- Post-Graduate Diploma in Law, Northumbria University
- Bar Vocational Course, Northumbria University
- LLM Commercial Law, Northumbria University
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Graham is able to deliver CPD training to solicitors, insurers, insurance brokers and loss adjusters across all his specialist areas. He is also able to accept instructions from businesses and members of the public under the Direct Access scheme. He is also a member of Advocate, the Bar’s pro bono charity, and accepts instructions under the scheme.
Graham was called to the Bar in 2000 after a career as a chartered loss adjuster. More recently he was a senior lecturer at Northumbria University where he taught civil litigation and was an accredited advocacy tutor.