Andrew Wales KC

Andrew Wales KC

Silk: 2012 | Call: 1992

"Extremely intelligent." "Technically phenomenal."

Chambers UK

Practice Profile


Andrew Wales is well known for insurance and reinsurance, energy, shipping and professional negligence.

He also has significant experience in civil fraud and general commercial cases.  His practice regularly involves issues of jurisdiction and conflict of laws. He regularly appears in the High Court and in arbitration and has also appeared several times in the Privy Council. He is recognised by the directories for his insurance and professional negligence work. Andrew Wales sits as a Recorder in criminal and civil cases. He is a member of the international panel of maritime arbitrators of the Marine Offshore Oil and Gas Association (MOOGAS) in Singapore.

Speaker at C5 Fraud Conference in Geneva, March 2017.

Member, Commercial Fraud Lawyers Association.

Selected cases:

  • 3D Gold Jewellery Holdings v. PWC (2014) – instructed in a claim against PwC in Hong Kong for HK$400m alleging audit negligence in failing to detect a very substantial fraud
  • Confidential (2014) – instructed in relation to claims arising from fraudulent consumer investment schemes involving sustainable energy projects in Cambodia and Brazil
  • Confidential (2013) – acting for an individual defrauded by his former IFA, who has been convicted of theft and is in prison
  • Confidential (2014) – acting for the owner of a firm of solicitors which suffered substantial thefts from its client accounts committed by an employee

Andrew Wales has conducted two full appeals before the Privy Council, one alone and the other being led by Gavin Kealey QC. Both cases related to private share transactions in The Bahamas. Andrew Wales also advises Bahamas-based clients in connection with insurance issues.

Selected cases:

  • Aircraft Purchase Fleet Limited v Compagnia Aerea Italiana S.p.A.  [2018] EWHC 3315 (Comm). Successfully defended a $260m claim for damages by Aircraft Purchase Fleet Limited (“APFL”) on behalf of Compagnia Aerea Italiana SPA (“CAI”), the former operator of the Alitalia airline.
  • Sentinel International Ltd. v Robert Cordes [2008] UKPC 60.  Andrew Wales argued an appeal in the Privy Council relating to claims and cross-claims for breach of a contract for the sale of shares in a private company. The decision is new referred to in McGregor on Damages (18th Ed.).
  • Emanuel Alexiou v. James A. Campbell [2007] UKPC 11 – sale and purchase contract for shares embodied in consent order – issue of construction – fair market value

Currently instructed in an ICC arbitration (claim for c. €130m) relating to the supply of steel for the South Stream gas pipeline under the Black Sea.

Other selected cases:

  • Markel v. Sedgwick (2002) – High Court, Gross J.; energy construction insurance and reinsurance; avoidance; case settled during trial
  • Amoco v. Teesside Gas Transportation Ltd (2001) – House of Lords; led by Jonathan Sumption Q.C.; CATS North Sea pipeline dispute; construction of contracts; send-or-pay obligations
  • Philips Petroleum v. Enron Europe [1997] C.L.C. 329 – Court of Appeal; led by Sir Sydney Kentridge Q.C.; construction of Take-or-Pay contract
  • Amoco v. Teesside Gas Transportation; Philips Petroleum v. Enron Europe (1999) High Court trial led by Anthony Boswood Q.C. – contract dispute relating to CATS pipeline and J-Block field in North Sea
  • Acting for owners in a major arbitration concerning the construction of 2 fifth generation semi-submersible oil drilling rigs being built in the USA.  Case settled shortly before hearing.

Much of Andrew Wales’ work in this area over the last few years has involved insurance issues involving financial institutions and fraud. He has extensive experience of Professional Indemnity and D&O policies, especially for banks and similar institutions. His work has required familiarity with CDO transactions, private  equity investments,  offering  circulars,  IPOs, structured finance (e.g. Enron related) and various forms of securitisation.

Selected cases:

  • Confidential (2015) – international arbitration involving a claim on a bespoke patent infringement liability insurance policy
  • Confidential (2013-4) – international arbitration involving a claim by a hedge fund administrator on a professional indemnity policy (Cayman Islands law)
  • Confidential (2015) – two substantial political risk claims relating to Kenya and Libya
  • Standard Life v. Ace European Group [2012] Lloyd’s Rep IR 655 – £100m credit crunch claim under a professional indemnity policy
  • David Constable v. Bedfordshire Police Authority [2008] EWHC 1375 (Comm) – insurance; public liability cover for the police; whether coverage for Riot Damages (Act) 1886 compensation
  • Travelers Casualty & Surety v. Sun Life Assurance (No. 2) [2007] Lloyd’s Rep. IR Plus 2 – insurance; global excess liability policy; applicable law; breach of warranty and late notification; claim to recover losses incurred during past business review ordered by FSA
  • Travelers Casualty & Surety v. Sun Life Assurance [2004] Lloyd’s Rep. IR 846 – insurance; jurisdiction; power to stay; appropriate forum
  • Astrazeneca v. CGU – reinsurance; proof of liability under underlying policy reinsured; appeared in arbitration (then unavailable for High Court appeal reported at [2006] Lloyd’s Rep. IR 409)
  • HIH Casualty v. Chase Manhattan Bank (HL) [2003] Lloyd’s Rep. IR 230 – Led by Jonathan Sumption Q.C.; House of Lords; film finance; rights of avoidance
  • Markel v. Sedgwick and others (2002 – High Court; Gross J.) – insurance/reinsurance; treaty covering energy construction risks; avoidance; case settled during trial
  • Commercial Union v. NRG Victory [1998] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 600 – reinsurance; proof of liability under underlying policy reinsured
  • Henderson v. Merrett Syndicates and others [1997] L.R.L.R. 247 and 265 – lead Lloyd’s long tail names action; only successful claim against Lloyd’s syndicate auditor
  • Substantial advisory and coverage work, including: advising London market insurers subscribing to the insurance of the World Trade Center towers; advising London market insurers in connection with insurances of financial institutions being sued in connection with Enron, Worldcom, Global Crossing, Parmalat, Boxclever; a CDO transaction.
  • Substantial arbitration practice, including significant cases arising out of the PA LMX spiral and Stirling Cooke Brown business
  • Sole arbitrator (2007) – Award made to resolve insurance dispute about alleged exclusion from cover.

Andrew Wales specialises in areas of commercial work where disputes are regularly determined in international arbitration. He has appeared in several international arbitrations against foreign (notably US) lawyers, both ad hoc and under institutional rules. In 2015, he is involved in an ICC arbitration (claim for c. €130m) relating to the supply of steel for the South Stream gas pipeline under the Black Sea. In 2014-2015, he was involved in an international arbitration claim on a bespoke policy of patent infringement liability insurance, relating to liability for patent infringement in the pharmaceuticals sector in the USA. In 2013, he was instructed in an $84m international insurance arbitration under a contract governed by Cayman Islands law and subject to ad hoc London arbitration. He has also recently been instructed in the early stages of a $40m international arbitration dispute relating to an international contract for the supply of gasoil by a European energy trader to a South American government. In 2013, he also appeared in the Commercial Court in a significant banking-related case involving attempts to enforce an US$8.5m arbitration award against monies payable by a bank under letters of credit. Andrew Wales has appeared in two recent reported decisions arising from his arbitration practice:

Selected cases:

  • Anglian Water Services v. Laing O’Rourke [2010] 131 Con LR 94, relating to time bar issues in the context of construction arbitration
  • B v. S  [2011] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 18, relating to the availability of ancillary relief under a standard form arbitration agreement used in some forms of commodities trading contracts

Selected cases:

  • 3D Gold Jewellery Holdings v. PWC (2014) – instructed in a claim against PwC in Hong Kong for HK$400m alleging audit negligence in failing to detect a very substantial fraud
  • Confidential (2013-4) – international arbitration involving a claim by a hedge fund administrator on a professional indemnity policy for professional negligence (Cayman Islands law)
  • Confidential (2012 – date) – acting in connection with claims arising from the collapse of a major firm of solicitors

Andrew Wales is regularly involved in shipping and international trade disputes, mostly in arbitration.  In 2015, this has involved several instructions relating to the sale and purchase of oil.  He is also currently instructed in an arbitration relating to the time charter of an oil tanker.

Selected cases:

  • Vitol v. Norelf [1996] A.C. 800 (House of Lords appeal).

Selected cases:

  • Aircraft Purchase Fleet Limited v Compagnia Aerea Italiana S.p.A.  [2018] EWHC 3315 (Comm). Successfully defended a $260m claim for damages by Aircraft Purchase Fleet Limited (“APFL”) on behalf of Compagnia Aerea Italiana SPA (“CAI”), the former operator of the Alitalia airline.
  • “His level of client service is very good.”
  • “Andrew is a go-to insurance silk for technically complex coverage matters. He is technically phenomenal.”
  • “He is very detailed and thorough in his advice. Andrew is super intelligent.”

          Insurance, Chambers UK Bar 2024

  • ‘Andrew is absolutely fabulous on detail and is then able to use that to produce extremely rounded advice, addressing all the various angles.’

          Insurance and Reinsurance, Legal 500 2024

  • ‘Great attention to detail and an ability to assimilate complex facts. Not afraid to give clear and direct advice which is welcomed.’

          Professional Negligence, Legal 500 2024

  • ‘Andrew has a phenomenal ability to analyse complex coverage issues and provide a detailed, yet simply explained, opinion and risk assessment for lay clients. Andrew’s views on insurance/reinsurance coverage hold a significant weight. If Andrew advises solicitors have a good case, this holds a serious amount of sway with them and lay clients. Andrew is also a brilliant, methodical advocate on his feet.’ Legal 500 2023
  • “Andrew is extremely user-friendly. He picks up difficult cases very quickly and is a strong communicator and excellent strategist.” “He leaves no stone unturned.” Chambers UK 2022
  • ‘Extremely clever, always thinks a way around problems, and very collaborative with solicitors.’ Legal 500 2022
  • “Intellectually brilliant and can take apart a legally and factually complex problem and make it seem simple, distilling it down for clients.” “Very effective, responsive and balances a great brain with commercial acumen.” Chambers UK 2021
  • ‘Strong, practical intelligence, with careful, concise drafting, commercial acumen, and a user-friendly approach in terms of timing and accessibility.’ Legal 500 2021
  • ‘He is very able and proactive.’ Legal 500 2021
  • ‘He has a great eye for detail.’ Legal 500 2021
  • “Extremely intelligent.” “Technically phenomenal.” “Totally on top of the law.” Chambers UK 2020
  • ‘He is good on the detail.’ Legal 500 2020
  • ‘Very able and pro-active.’ Legal 500 2020
  • ‘He has a great eye for detail.’ Legal 500 2020
  • “A very proactive and hard-working QC.” “Extremely user-friendly. He picks up difficult cases very quickly. He is a strong communicator and an excellent strategist.” Chambers UK 2019
  • ‘Very intelligent, has the ability to see the wood from the trees, and delivers extremely practical advice.’ Legal 500 2018
  • ‘A particular expertise in financial institutions and fraud.’ Legal 500 2018
  • He is highly regarded for his intellect and for being “very good at getting to the nub of a problem.” Chambers UK 2018
  • Friendly and approachable throughout, he is thorough in his preparation such that you have complete confidence that he has grappled with all of the issues and left no stone unturned.” “A very proactive and hard-working QC who is not afraid to roll his sleeves up.” Chambers UK 2018
  • “The quality of his written advice is excellent. Complex issues are distilled into simple, plain and easily manageable advice. He also has a very fast turnaround.” Chambers UK 2018
  • He has an amazing brain and knows the sector inside out. Legal 500 2017
  • First-rate. Legal 500 2017
  • “Very thorough and extremely knowledgeable silk, who can clarify even the most complex point.” Chambers UK 2017
  • “A very proactive and hard working QC, who is not afraid to roll his sleeves up.” Chambers UK 2017
  • He is highly regarded for his intellect and for the fact that “he has all the detail at his fingertips.” Chambers UK 2017
  • Commercially savvy with a formidable intellect. Legal 500 2016
  • Very highly regarded. Legal 500 2016
  • “He is a phenomenally good details man who thinks through every dimension of every case that he works on.” Chambers UK 2016
  • “Very thorough and extremely knowledgeable – he can clarify even the most complex point.” “Incredibly impressive – he spots issues and can really turn a weak case into a very strong-looking case. Extremely clever.” Chambers UK 2016
  • An expert insurance barrister – thorough, precise and concise when he needs to be. Legal 500 2015
  • One of the most intellectually gifted barristers working in the field of professional negligence Legal 500 2015
  • Strong on insurance-related professional negligence, he is regularly instructed by brokers and insurers when they have claims made against them. Chambers UK 2014
  • “He’s all over the detail. He’s a clear, strategic thinker.” Chambers UK 2014
  • “He enjoys the full confidence of the market”  Chambers UK 2009
  • “draws praise for his ‘sterling advocacy.’” Chambers UK 2009
  • “calm under pressure.” Legal 500 2008
  • “The ‘extremely bright and thorough’ Andrew Wales has provided support on several key cases… over the past year.” Chambers UK 2008
  • Leading junior, energy and natural resources – Legal 500
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