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Michael joined Edwin Coe in 1987, became a partner in 1990 and became a Consultant for the firm in 2023. He read law at Cambridge University and qualified as a solicitor in 1986 with a City firm.

Michael deals principally with claimant insurance litigation and specialises in liability and coverage disputes arising from fires, floods, thefts and other perils. His practice also includes areas such as professional negligence, directors’ and officers’ liability and under-insurance issues and he has a particular expertise in business interruption claims.

  • Advised a ready meals producer on the enforceability of a composite panels warranty and on a related claim against its insurance brokers for failing to advise on the meaning of the word ‘combustible.
  • Advising a major food manufacturer in a negligence action against its former insurance brokers for losses suffered as a result of under-insurance in relation to plant machinery and business interruption following a serious fire. This claim resulted in the recovery of a seven figure sum in damages.
  • Acting on a £20 million claim regarding a commercial all-risks policy for a large CD/DVD manufacturer following a serious fire. The issues raised in the proceedings addressed points of law concerning moral hazard, material non-disclosure, misrepresentation and breach of condition precedent/breach of warranty.
  • Advising a large UK crisp manufacturer on its negotiations with loss adjusters, following the settlement of a £12 million claim.
He has a fantastic way with the client, engendering a feeling of confidence that they are in safe hands. This is the ma...

Chambers UK 2021

He has a fantastic way with the client, engendering a feeling of confidence that they are in safe hands. This is the man who can get you there safely and successfully.

Chambers UK 2021

Expertise

  • Insurance Litigation: Overview

  • Assessment of damage claims

  • Business Interruption claims

  • Claims against security providers

  • Denied claims on the basis of Breach of Warranty or General Condition

  • Fire

  • Insurance claims

  • Third Party claims for Uninsured Losses

  • Waste Management

  • Print & Packaging

  • Professional Negligence

Credentials

  • Ranked in Chambers UK 2023

  • Recommended as a ‘Leading Individual’ in Legal 500 UK 2023

  • Ranked as a ‘Leading Individual’ in Chambers Global 2022

Quotes

Michael is always great with clients and has an ability to explain complex issues in a way that is clear to them.

...
Chambers UK 2023

Michael is always great with clients and has an ability to explain complex issues in a way that is clear to them.

Chambers UK 2023

Michael Whitton gets to the heart of the matter really fast and is totally respected both by his clients and opposing...
Legal 500 UK 2023

Michael Whitton gets to the heart of the matter really fast and is totally respected both by his clients and opposing lawyers. Very candid in his assessment of the merits of a case and is almost always shown to have been spot on.

Legal 500 UK 2023

Michael Whitton has done claims against brokers for longer than anyone else. Very tough negotiator.


Legal 500 UK 2023

Michael Whitton has done claims against brokers for longer than anyone else. Very tough negotiator.

Legal 500 UK 2023

Michael is very good, tenacious and impressive in negotiations.


Chambers UK 2022

Michael is very good, tenacious and impressive in negotiations.

Chambers UK 2022

He has a fantastic way with the client, engendering a feeling of confidence that they are in safe hands. This is the...
Chambers UK 2021

He has a fantastic way with the client, engendering a feeling of confidence that they are in safe hands. This is the man who can get you there safely and successfully.

Chambers UK 2021

Michael Whitton has seen it all before and is a tough negotiator.


Legal 500 UK 2021

Michael Whitton has seen it all before and is a tough negotiator.

Legal 500 UK 2021

Michael Whitton – very shrewd, hugely experienced.


Legal 500 UK 2021

Michael Whitton – very shrewd, hugely experienced.

Legal 500 UK 2021

Michael Whitton is a crafty old fox who has seen it all before.


Legal 500 UK 2020

Michael Whitton is a crafty old fox who has seen it all before.

Legal 500 UK 2020

Michael Whitton is hugely experienced and a tough negotiator.


Legal 500 UK 2020

Michael Whitton is hugely experienced and a tough negotiator.

Legal 500 UK 2020

Knows insurance inside out.


Chambers UK 2020

Knows insurance inside out.

Chambers UK 2020

A very good claimants lawyer.


Chambers UK 2020

A very good claimants lawyer.

Chambers UK 2020

He has a clear and clinical mind and the ability to ensure that no stone was left unturned.


Chambers UK 2019

He has a clear and clinical mind and the ability to ensure that no stone was left unturned.

Chambers UK 2019

Michael Whitton is hugely experienced, a very tough negotiator and has the ability to present a claim efficiently. Legal 500 UK 2019

Michael Whitton is hugely experienced, a very tough negotiator and has the ability to present a claim efficiently.

Legal 500 UK 2019

I always felt very confident that he was on top of the case.


Chambers UK 2019

I always felt very confident that he was on top of the case.

Chambers UK 2019

Michael Whitton is not afraid to run matters to trial.


Legal 500 UK 2019

Michael Whitton is not afraid to run matters to trial.

Legal 500 UK 2019

He has a very sharp mind and is able to focus on the issues - he knows the detail that is required but doesn't get to...
Chambers UK 2018

He has a very sharp mind and is able to focus on the issues - he knows the detail that is required but doesn't get too bogged down in it. He has a great in-depth knowledge of insurance law and is able to use it in a very practical way.

Chambers UK 2018

Michael Whitton has an instinctive feel for where a case will end up and achieves great results.


Legal 500 UK 2017

Michael Whitton has an instinctive feel for where a case will end up and achieves great results.

Legal 500 UK 2017

Michael Whitton is able to focus on the major issues in any particular matter and hones in like a guided missile.

...
Legal 500 UK 2017

Michael Whitton is able to focus on the major issues in any particular matter and hones in like a guided missile.

Legal 500 UK 2017

Michael Whitton, is the go-to man.


Chambers UK 2017

Michael Whitton, is the go-to man.

Chambers UK 2017

Michael Whitton is technically impressive while also being really good with clients.


Chambers UK 2017

Michael Whitton is technically impressive while also being really good with clients.

Chambers UK 2017

Michael Whitton has a unique ability to immediately focus on the key issues.


Legal 500 UK 2016

Michael Whitton has a unique ability to immediately focus on the key issues.

Legal 500 UK 2016

Michael Whitton can home in like an Exocet missile on what the nub of the issue is.


Chambers UK 2016

Michael Whitton can home in like an Exocet missile on what the nub of the issue is.

Chambers UK 2016

His advice is clear, he has an excellent grasp of the issues and he works well with counsel.


Chambers UK 2016

His advice is clear, he has an excellent grasp of the issues and he works well with counsel.

Chambers UK 2016

Michael Whitton attracts praise from peers, who note - He is extremely experienced, a tough negotiator and very good ...
Chambers UK 2015

Michael Whitton attracts praise from peers, who note - He is extremely experienced, a tough negotiator and very good at extracting the best result for his clients.

Chambers UK 2015

Michael Whitton has tremendous knowledge and expertise


Legal 500 UK 2015

Michael Whitton has tremendous knowledge and expertise

Legal 500 UK 2015

The level of professionalism from Edwin Coe was second to none - from beginning to end I have felt comfortable and se...
Client Feedback Survey 2015

The level of professionalism from Edwin Coe was second to none - from beginning to end I have felt comfortable and secure

Client Feedback Survey 2015

I have nothing but praise and recommendation for your company


Client Feedback Survey 2015

I have nothing but praise and recommendation for your company

Client Feedback Survey 2015

I owe the success and victory of my case to your dedication and perseverance


Client Feedback Survey 2015

I owe the success and victory of my case to your dedication and perseverance

Client Feedback Survey 2015

Michael Whitton gives extremely, good robust advice, and is very tough in negotiations with insurers.


Chambers UK 2014

Michael Whitton gives extremely, good robust advice, and is very tough in negotiations with insurers.

Chambers UK 2014

Michael Whitton is praised for his client service and his ability to home in on what the issues are. For claims again...
Chambers UK 2014

Michael Whitton is praised for his client service and his ability to home in on what the issues are. For claims against insurers, he is at the top of the tree.

Chambers UK 2014

The esteemed Michael Whitton is lauded for his extensive experience of handling insurance broker claims. Peers respec...
Chambers UK 2013

The esteemed Michael Whitton is lauded for his extensive experience of handling insurance broker claims. Peers respect him as a very tough negotiator.

Chambers UK 2013

Michael Whitton is hugely experienced, and a shrewd negotiator.


Legal 500 UK 2012

Michael Whitton is hugely experienced, and a shrewd negotiator.

Legal 500 UK 2012

Brilliant and switched-on.


Chambers UK 2012

Brilliant and switched-on.

Chambers UK 2012

An ability to get to the crux of the issue quickly. Market sources highlight his refreshing, no-nonsense approach to ...
Chambers UK 2012

An ability to get to the crux of the issue quickly. Market sources highlight his refreshing, no-nonsense approach to litigation.

Chambers UK 2012

The extremely experienced Michael Whitton has a good manner with clients and is capable of handling a range of claima...
Chambers UK 2011

The extremely experienced Michael Whitton has a good manner with clients and is capable of handling a range of claimant litigation, from day-to-day coverage disputes to major disasters. He has considerable expertise in business interruption cases and third-party recovery work.

Chambers UK 2011

Michael Whitton heads the team, representing a wide range of organisations in their claims against insurance brokers....
Chambers UK 2011

Michael Whitton heads the team, representing a wide range of organisations in their claims against insurance brokers. He is remarkably good in terms of communication and demeanour. He ignores the irrelevant, and gets to the core issues.

Chambers UK 2011

Michael Whitton has an ability to focus on the lost important issues from a very early stage, and exhibits wide exper...
Legal 500 UK 2011

Michael Whitton has an ability to focus on the lost important issues from a very early stage, and exhibits wide experience and formidable intellect.

Legal 500 UK 2011

  • Single page view

Michael Whitton

Consultant

Michael joined Edwin Coe in 1987, became a partner in 1990 and became a Consultant for the firm in 2023. He read law at Cambridge University and qualified as a solicitor in 1986 with a City firm.

Michael deals principally with claimant insurance litigation and specialises in liability and coverage disputes arising from fires, floods, thefts and other perils. His practice also includes areas such as professional negligence, directors’ and officers’ liability and under-insurance issues and he has a particular expertise in business interruption claims.

Expertise

  • Insurance Litigation: Overview
  • Assessment of damage claims
  • Business Interruption claims
  • Claims against security providers
  • Denied claims on the basis of Breach of Warranty or General Condition
  • Fire
  • Insurance claims
  • Third Party claims for Uninsured Losses
  • Waste Management
  • Print & Packaging
  • Professional Negligence

Experience

  • Advised a ready meals producer on the enforceability of a composite panels warranty and on a related claim against its insurance brokers for failing to advise on the meaning of the word ‘combustible.
  • Advising a major food manufacturer in a negligence action against its former insurance brokers for losses suffered as a result of under-insurance in relation to plant machinery and business interruption following a serious fire. This claim resulted in the recovery of a seven figure sum in damages.
  • Acting on a £20 million claim regarding a commercial all-risks policy for a large CD/DVD manufacturer following a serious fire. The issues raised in the proceedings addressed points of law concerning moral hazard, material non-disclosure, misrepresentation and breach of condition precedent/breach of warranty.
  • Advising a large UK crisp manufacturer on its negotiations with loss adjusters, following the settlement of a £12 million claim.

Credentials

  • Ranked in Chambers UK 2023

  • Recommended as a ‘Leading Individual’ in Legal 500 UK 2023

  • Ranked as a ‘Leading Individual’ in Chambers Global 2022

Contact

Telephone:
+44 20 7691 4000

Email:
michael.whitton@edwincoe.com

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