Richard Hugg

Partner

Superyacht disputes form a significant part of Richard's practice.  His particular area of focus is insurance – be that advising on property policies (H&M), owners' liability policies (P&I) or builders' liability policies.  He is extremely well versed in the various policy wordings on which he regularly advises.  He represented the successful defendants in one of the most important yacht insurance disputes of the last decade which established important precedent on the R12 clauses and resulted in changes in the market approach to issues of valuation.  He also advises on yacht casualties (with a broad experience of fire claims and salvage issues), repair claims (from paint damage to machinery damage and issues relating to the reasonable cost of repair) and wreck/pollution issues following significant casualties (in respect of all of which he draws from a broader marine practice).  He has extensive connections in the superyacht world, across the underwriting, broking, technical and sales markets which is invaluable when third party input on particular issues is required.  Richard brings to the yacht market not just 12 years of experience of commercial litigation, but equally of dispute resolution, having been involved in the settlement on commercial terms of various disputes to protect commercial interests, avoid unnecessary costs and the associated risks associated with fighting matters through the Courts.

Experience:

  • Assisting successful defendants in total loss claim of 36m Riva in Greece in probably the most cited yacht insurance case of the last decade.
  • Assisting H&M Insurers in respect of total loss of 47.5m ISA yacht by fire/sinking.
  • Advising in respect of crew claims following total losses of various yachts.
  • Advising in respect of grounding of 35m Benetti and alleged repair costs / associated losses (currently subject to litigation in Commercial Court in London).
  • Advising liability insurers in respect of damage to underwater cabling allegedly caused by yacht anchor.
  • Assisting H&M in respect of fire on 42m Benetti.
  • Assisting liability insurers in respect of wreck/pollution issues following fire/sinking of 24m yacht.
  • Advising liability insurers/builder insured in respect of total loss of yacht by fire following alleged negligence of sub contractors.
  • Assisting liability insurers in respect of possible direct action issues arising out of allegedly negligent repairs to 60m yacht.