Martin Paxton

Martin specialises in defending claims brought against professionals including solicitors, insurance brokers, architects, engineers and quantity surveyors.

He has over 19 years’ experience advising clients within the insurance sector. His key clients include Amtrust, QBE European Operations, Travelers and Zurich.

Martin regularly provides training on all aspects of professional negligence litigation and coverage. He has significant experience of handling adjudications and is a regular user of mediation. He also advises a North West based ATE Insurer in litigious matters.

Relevant experience includes:

• Assisting Insurers and their Insured following the failure to serve a Claim Form in a clinical negligence claim valued at up to £15 million. This involved consideration of alternative methods of service and the Supreme Court’s approach when both parties are initially unaware of the defect.
• Handling a significant claim for solicitors arising in connection with ancillary relief proceedings. Following the strike out of part of the claim, the Claimant’s appeal is to be heard by the Court of Appeal. The claim involves the consideration of multiple allegations of negligence and the principles of abuse of process following a finding by the first instance Judge and an appellate Court.
• Handling the defence of a claim for in excess of £12 million brought against a large quantity surveying practice following the failed development of a large training facility in Northern Ireland. The claim followed an increased costs estimate of c.30 million and followed on from litigation in NI and a settlement of the main claim brought against the project architect.
• Advising a large Contractor and its insurers following the allegedly defective erection of steel support at a commercial building in the South East. Claims are brought against multiple parties and the defence of the claim has involved consideration of technical, cost and delay evidence in the context of 2 separate adjudications.
• Handling the defence of a significant claim against a multi-national firm of insurance brokers following the collapse of their client’s PI insurers.

Martin is described as a “Next Generation Partner” in the 2020 Edition of the Legal 500 and a “Recognised Practitioner” in Chambers an Partners.