Alex Padfield
Alex is recognised for his expertise in handling liability claims, policy wording disputes and for his specialist knowledge of travel law. He acts for insurers, loss adjusters and brokers when advising on liability claims including personal injury and property damage and is also instructed by a number of insurers to advise on policy interpretation and wording disputes.
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Alex is widely recognised for his specialist advice on tour operators’ and travel agents’ liability and acts for insurers and travel industry clients in this field. He also advises his travel clients on a wide range of commercial and regulatory issues. Alex speaks regularly at seminars, both in-house and externally, including the ABTA Travel Law conference for over 10 years.
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Relevant Work/Experience
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Anderson v Snowbizz & Anr (2008): Defence of £5m personal injury claim and successful subrogation against French ski instructor and insurers
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Collett v Smith(1) Middlesbrough FC(2); C of A (2009): Acting for insurers in £6.5m personal injury claim following injury in Premier League reserve match
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Kosmar Villa Holidays v Trustees of Syndicate 1243; C of A (2008): Acting for insurers in relation to defence of claim for indemnity following insured’s breach of condition precedent
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Advising tour operators in relation to contracts with overseas suppliers and on risk management issues
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Advising in relation to the application of the ATOL Regulations including ‘Flight Plus’
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Advising on cross-border and jurisdictional issues, including securing subrogated recoveries from foreign insurers and jurisdictions
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Defending multi-claimant food poisoning actions on behalf of tour operators and insurers
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Advising insurers on claims brought by amateur and professional footballers and other sportsmen, following player-to-player injuries or other participation injuries
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Advising in relation to policy wording disputes including conditions precedent, exclusion clauses and endorsements as well as policy interpretation issues
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Advising insurers on catastrophic employers and public liability claims
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Memberships
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ABTA Travel Industry Partner
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Institute of Travel and Tourism
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Travel and Tourism Lawyers’ Association (TATLA)
Directory Entries/Publications
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Alex Padfield maintains a strong reputation in the market for his practice representing defendants in international personal injury cases. He frequently acts for tour operators and insurers in catastrophic injury and fatality cases. Sources praise his “excellent grasp of the market and the law.” – Chambers 2021
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Alex Padfield is noted for “his knowledge and his capacity to push himself to the limit to provide his clients with an absolute service.” Clients comment that “he is outstanding: really knowledgeable and very robust.” He advises insurers and tour operators on international personal injury claims and regulatory and commercial travel law. – Chambers 2015
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Alex Padfield heads the practice and is admired by sources for his highly professional approach to contentious matters. “He is a very worthy adversary and extremely well informed about the area,” says one interviewee. Additionally, adds one source, “while he fights his client’s corner hard he is never unreasonable or obstructive.” – Chambers 2013
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“Alex specialises in travel law including tour operators’ liability claims and regulatory issues, class actions, recoveries from foreign suppliers, jurisdictional and cross border disputes as well as advising insurers on policy coverage and other related issues. He also handles a full range of public liability claims with particular emphasis on sports injury cases and catastrophic injuries. Alex also advises on insurance policy wording matters and coverage disputes. Alex is a regular speaker at various seminars and industry events including the annual ABTA Travel Law conference.” – Chambers 2012
“The widely respected Alex Padfield is well known for his strength in the insurance defence arena acting for tour operators and insurers…” – Chambers 2010
“Commentators call Alex Padfield a ‘fountain of knowledge in travel-related cases, with a sound grasp of how to meet the challenges presented by foreign jurisdictions’.” – Chambers 2009
