Chris Zavos
Partner | London,
United Kingdom
Chris.Zavos@kennedyslaw.com
+44 20 7667 9777
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Profile
Chris is a partner in our London office and specialises in complex coverage (across aviation, marine, yachts, energy, war, political risks and political violence) and, where necessary, acting for Underwriters in coverage litigation/arbitration as well as in jurisdictional disputes. He qualified in England and Wales in 1991.
Acting predominantly for Lloyd's and global (re)insurers, he has extensive experience in advising on complex coverage as well as liability defence, subrogation and sanctions issues. Chris has managed many market leading cases through arbitration and litigation both here (up to the Supreme Court) and in international jurisdictions.
He has been ad hoc legal adviser to the London Market’s Joint Hull Committee since 2002 where he advises on market issues and drafts new wordings on discrete issues such as piracy, sanctions and cyber/CL380.
He is a member of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers (FOIL).
Very reliable, knowledgeable, very responsive to any questions, has the trust of a lot of people.
Qualifications and admissions
- Qualified in England and Wales in 1991
Market recognition
- Nominated by respondents for delivering outstanding service in the last 12 months
The Gracechurch London Market Insurance Law Monitor 2023 - Notable practitioner for 'Shipping (UK-wide)'
"Chris Zavos is our go-to for complex marine matters".
"Chris Zavos answers questions in great detail and offers considered advice that takes everything on board".
Chambers UK 2023 - Notable practitioner for 'Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance (UK-wide)'
Chambers UK 2023 -
Recommended lawyer for 'Shipping (London)'The Legal 500 UK 2023
- Notable practitioner (Band 1) for 'Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance (UK-wide)'
Chambers UK 2022 - Notable practitioner for 'Shipping (UK-wide)'
"Chris has been phenomenal at handling complex, high-stakes, multi-jurisdictional insurance disputes."
Chambers UK 2022 - Recommended lawyer for 'Insurance and reinsurance litigation (London)'
The Legal 500 UK 2022 - Recommended lawyer for 'Shipping (London)'
"Chris Zavos [is a] go-to lawyer for marine legal advice, especially large complex marine casualties."
The Legal 500 UK 2022 - Global Leader for ‘Transport – Shipping’ (UK)
Who’s Who Legal Transport 2021 - Notable practitioner (Band 1) for 'Insurance: Contentious claims, reinsurance and Volume claims (UK-wide)'
"He is known particularly for his international work." "He is very good, with a strong reputation."
Chambers UK 2021 - Notable practitioner for 'Shipping (UK-wide)'
"He is well respected in the marine insurance industry."
Chambers UK 2021 - Recommended lawyer for 'Insurance and reinsurance litigation (London)'
The Legal 500 UK 2021 - Recommended lawyer for 'Shipping (London)
The Legal 500 UK 2021 - “He's very understanding of clients’ needs, and you know he gets his clients. He's very professional, responds in a timely manner to questions and requests feedback information before giving very precise advice.”
The Gracechurch London Market Insurance Law Report 2019 - “He is dealing with a number of cases that I am involved with and he's dealing with them very well. His technical knowledge is excellent, his recommended strategies are pretty sound and he gives good clear and concise advice.”
The Gracechurch London Market Insurance Law Report 2019 - “Chris takes time to understand our reserving philosophy and commercial considerations and he adapts his advice to suit that. What they are both really good at is they work with the market as opposed with just the lead underwriter. He is always available, and I can email him and nine times out of ten within ten minutes I will get a response which is rare.”
The Gracechurch London Market Insurance Law Report 2019 - Notable practitioner for 'Shipping (UK-wide)'
Chris Zavos is described as "very accomplished" and "the brilliant virtuoso going to trial" by a commentator.
Chambers UK 2020 - Notable practitioner for 'Insurance: Contentious Claims (UK-wide)'
"He is excellent," one source reports, adding: "He is efficient, intelligent and quite a formidable litigator."
Chambers UK 2020 - Recommended Lawyer for 'Shipping (London)'
The Legal 500 UK 2019/20 - Recommended lawyer for ‘Insurance and reinsurance litigation (London)’
The Legal 500 UK 2019/20 - Recommended lawyer for ‘Insurance and reinsurance litigation (London)’
The Legal 500 UK 2018/19 - Recommended lawyer for ‘Shipping (London)’
The Legal 500 UK 2018/19 - Notable practitioner (Band 2) for 'Insurance: Contentious claims (UK-wide 2019)'
Chambers UK 2019 - Notable practitioner (Band 4) for 'Shipping (UK-wide 2019)'
Chambers UK 2019 - "Chris Zavos led on this case and is currently also acting for London market war risks insurers in defence of claims following an alleged piracy attack on a crude oil tanker in the high-profile and well-publicised case of the Brillante Virtuoso.”
The Legal 500 UK 2018/19 - "The 'excellent' Chris Zavos is particularly notable for his work representing insurers in shipping and offshore energy-related claims."
Chambers UK 2019
Awards
Work highlights
- Acting for the market in Brillante Virtuoso (2014, Commercial Court and continuing) in defence of a claim for loss of the vessel in the Gulf of Aden in 2011 and in which the principal defence is fraud.
- Acting for the market in Atlantik Confidence (2017, Commercial Court, Court of Appeal and continuing), in seeking to recover an H&M claim paid in 2013 following loss of the vessel, which was later found to have been fraudulent.
- Acting for the market in Alexandros T (2011, Commercial Court, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and continuing), a dispute over jurisdiction/settlement in a claim for damages by an assured following settlement of the original loss.
- Acted for the market in Princess of the Stars (2012, Commercial Court and Court of Appeal), a reinsurance dispute over coverage in respect of liabilities to cargo interests.
- Acted for the market in Arash v Groupama (2011, Commercial Court, Court of Appeal), the first English case to consider the effect of the EU Iranian sanctions on insurance.
- Acted for the market in Youell v Kara Mara (2000, Commercial Court) obtaining an anti-suit injunction to restrain Louisiana proceedings.
Insurance and reinsurance
Shipping and international trade
Transport and logistics