What We Do

Our Insurance Group provides legal services to insurance and reinsurance companies, insurance and reinsurance intermediaries and captive managers active in Ireland.

We represent leading domestic Irish insurers and intermediaries, for whom we undertake both contentious and non-contentious work. We have particular experience in advising on the establishment, regulation, consolidation and restructuring of insurance organisations located in the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in Dublin.
 

We are ranked as one of the leading insurance law firms in Ireland by international legal directories including the Legal 500.

With our extensive corporate and regulatory insurance experience, we provide a seamless service on all aspects of the largest insurance and reinsurance transactions. We advise on the legal and tax aspects of the establishment of insurance and reinsurance operations in Ireland as a base from which to underwrite insurance and reinsurance throughout the EU, whether captive or non-captive. We provide a full dispute resolution and claims support service to our insurance and reinsurance clients, advising on all forms of dispute resolution, including alternative dispute resolution. We assist and support our clients in the investigation of circumstances which are likely to lead to claims and provide and/or advise on coverage options.

Members of our Group have advised on innovative structured financing transactions, including assignments of reinsurance receivables and life reinsurance financing transactions. We develop insurance products and distribution arrangements, advising on agency and distribution agreements, on policy wordings and on marketing literature. We advise on insurance and reinsurance company reconstruction and insolvency, including on schemes of arrangement and policyholders' protection.

We are one of the few Irish firms to have a dedicated Insurance Group, and we aim to provide a full service to our insurance client base. Our Group is composed of lawyers with an in-depth experience of the workings of the insurance industry and of the practical issues facing insurers and reinsurers. The specialist focus of our Group is designed to ensure that our clients do not spend time educating their lawyers on industry issues. We are pro-active, dynamic and we focus on results.

Lawyers in our Insurance Group have advised:

• Everest Reinsurance Group Ltd, one of the world’s largest reinsurance groups, on its establishment of Everest Re (Ireland) Limited further enhancing Ireland’s reputation as a location for international reinsurance activities
• Aviva plc’s Irish subsidiary, Hibernian Insurance on its purchase of Vivas Insurance Limited. Vivas was the third-largest health insurer in the Irish market, and Hibernian’s purchase of Vivas signified its entry to this important marketplace 
• Swiss Reinsurance Corporation on the reorganisation of its European reinsurance business through the establishment of Swiss Re Europe S.A. and the consequent restructuring of its Irish businesses. Liam Flynn led the team 
• Handelsbanken, one of the largest banking groups in Sweden, on the sale of its Irish life and pensions business as part of the sale of its international pensions business to Storebrand Group of Norway 
• Barclays Bank plc on the Irish aspects of the sale of Barclays Life Assurance to Swiss Reinsurance Corporation. 
• Goshawk/Cavell in the leading Irish case on ‘forum non conveniens’ and ‘lis pendens’ 
• Chubb Insurance and W R Berkley in coverage proceedings in the Commercial Court against Michael Lynn and Fiona McAleenan t/a Michael Lynn and Co claiming material non disclosure of fact and misrepresentation 
• a leading P&I Club and its member in relation to disruption of labour at Irish ports and protecting the member’s interest 
• clients on content of hull and machinery and P&I insurance in relation to a new building and obligations under bareboat 
• charter arrangements to include detailed advice on the obligations of a joint assured and a co-assured 
• Mount Carmel Hospital in their indemnity arrangements with the State for the provision of obstetric services at the Hospital 
• Medical Protection Society in defence of complex multi-party High Court Proceedings, alleging medical malpractice regarding chemotherapy treatment of a child patient, resulting in brain damage

The Matheson Ormsby Prentice team boasts “strength on both the contentious and non-contentious sides”, and has a particularly “strong healthcare group” led by Tom Hayes.
Insurance: European Legal 500 2011

This firm“has real clout in the Irish legal market for insurance matters,” and can advise on any insurance issue on either the corporate or contentious side. In particular, the firm has an outstanding corporate, transactional and regulatory insurance practice. Recent highlights include acting for Beazley on the first redomiciling of an important insurance and reinsurance group. The firm’s non-contentious and contentious practices are thoroughly integrated. “The firm can marshal the necessary resources,” say impressed clients. Following a strategic review of the group, its medical claims unit and shipping and maritime units have been integrated into the practice, further widening the resource pool for insurance clients. On the contentious side, all commentators have huge respect for Sharon Daly, who is known for her ability to “defend clients to the hilt in tough cases.” Helen Noble is the group’s main shipping expert, whilst Stuart Margetson is recommended in the professional negligence area. Contentious highlights include acting for Chubb Group and W R Berkley on the Michael Lynn cover, a leading insurance coverage case.
Insurance: Chambers Europe 2010

Matheson Ormsby Prentice takes a ‘practical approach to insurance issues’ and shines on the contentious side. Litigation head Sharon Daly has ‘excellent case management skills and meticulous detail’ while healthcare specialist Tom Hayes is ‘excellent at dealing with difficult cases, responding with both enthusiasm and ready humour’. The firm recently advised Everest Re on the establishment of Everest Re (Ireland).
Insurance: European Legal 500 2010

As one of Ireland’s leading insurance law practices, this group advises insurance and reinsurance companies, intermediaries and captive managers active in Ireland. The group represents leading domestic Irish insurers and intermediaries in both contentious and non-contentious matters, and has particular experience advising on the establishment, regulation, consolidation and restructuring of insurance organisations.
Insurance: Chambers Global 2010

This team is made up of commercially minded practitioners, and clients praise the strong, approachable juniors and the ease with which relationships are established with individuals in the group. The firm as a whole has an excellent reputation for its litigation capabilities, which ensures that this is a popular choice for all types of insurance work, be it litigious or otherwise.  
Insurance: Chambers Europe 2009

Sharon Daly heads the contentious side and boasts a "pragmatic and knowledgeable approach".
Insurance: European Legal 500 2009