Market Recognition

Peter is a seasoned insurance coverage litigator, who is regularly commended by independent legal directories for his personal performance and for the group that he manages:

"Reed Smith is one of the top London policyholder practices."

Peter Hardy is adept at handling an array of complex, cross-border coverage disputes, notably those arising in the financial services and offshore energy sectors. 

"Peter Hardy is a leading lawyer on the insurance policyholder side." - Chambers & Partners 2024

‘An absolute go-to for policyholder disputes‘, Reed Smith LLP‘s insurance recovery group is under the ‘great leadership’ of Peter Hardy, who is experienced in a range of insurance coverage claims including Bermuda Form disputes and D&O liability as well as political risk work. - Legal 500 2024

He has acted for clients and handled insurance claims and disputes arising out of many of the major financial issues to have hit the London market in recent years including the collapse of the Maxwell Group, “Pensions mis-selling”, Equitable Life, the Split Capital Investment Trust market collapse, the failures of Northern Rock, and of the Icelandic banking sector and the Madoff Ponzi Scheme.

Peter has acted extensively for financial institutions in respect of losses involving fraud and dishonesty and claims under Bankers Bond. Combined liability insurances, D&O and E&O programmes, in particular where claims arise following regulatory intervention. Claims experience on behalf of banks and financial services companies includes loss and, liabilities arising under US securities litigation, mortgage fraud, the operation of offshore based Ponzi Schemes, computer fraud, bullion theft, payments made under forged instruments, the loss of property held as security, and employee fraud.

Peter has recently acted in relation to coverage issues involving the Bernard Madoff Ponzi Scheme, a fraud in relation to the purchase of assets subject to lease arrangements, claims against the investment manager of an offshore fund and the fraudulent activities of an employee. He is also acting for a financial services company in connection with coverage issues in connection with an FSA investigation into Structured Product and Pension Transfer miss-selling and for a bank in respect of loss arising from Consumer Credit Act requirements. 

Peter also has a long established practice in advising clients on professional indemnity disputes and negligence claims, particularly those in involving insurance brokers, accountants, actuaries and pensions consultants.