Profile

Martin is the head of Kennedys’ counter fraud unit. He qualified in England and Wales in 2003 and is a partner in the Manchester office, operating in the UK as well as internationally.

Martin is a fraud expert acting for insurers, corporate and self-insured clients, advising on cross-client organised and complex fraud investigations. His work includes managing and coordinating litigation, investigation strategies and individual interests for clients whilst working with industry bodies, such as the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB), regulators and the police.

Martin builds counter fraud strategies to detect and challenge fraudulent claims, ensuring best practice, effective process and measures to deter and prevent fraud.

He has been involved in cross-industry operations of note, such as; Adam v Lick (UK) Ltd, Operation Clapham, Operation Undergo and Operation Neasden. His experience sees him coordinating cross-jurisdiction initiatives in counter fraud and working across all lines of business within the firm.

Martin was instrumental in developing the firms’ counter fraud product Ki, now known as Fraud Detector - a unique industry fraud detection and investigation solution that harnesses and utilises more live data than any other investigation system on the market. Martin sits on the strategy board of Kennedys IQ, our new technology driven company, wholly owned by Kennedys, that provides innovative solutions for insurance companies and large corporates to help them manage claims efficiently.

Martin regularly contributes to Kennedys’ Personal injury brief and is a co-author of Kennedys’ Claims Handling Law and Practice Guide, the fourth edition of which was published in February 2021.

Martin is a member of the Insurance Fraud Investigators Group (IFIG) and the Fraud Advisory Panel. He is frequently involved in lobbying activities, including attending a briefing with the Insurance Fraud Taskforce at Whitehall. He often contributes to industry publications and journals, including leading on POST Magazine Round Table event on fraud in casualty claims.

Qualifications

  • Qualified in England and Wales in 2003
"Martin Stockdale who heads the cross-sector fraud offering is also recommended for his skill on ‘large-scale matters’."

Market recognition

  • Recommended lawyer for 'Personal injury: defendant (North West)'
    The Legal 500 UK 2023
  • Recommended lawyer for 'Crime: general crime and fraud (North West)'
    The Legal 500 UK 2023
  • Recommended lawyer for 'Personal injury: defendant (North West)'
    The Legal 500 UK 2022
  • Recommended lawyer for 'Personal injury: defendant (North West)'
    The Legal 500 UK 2021
  • Recommended Lawyer for 'Personal injury: defendant (North West)'
    The Legal 500 UK 2019/20
  • Recommended Lawyer for 'Personal injury: defendant (North West)'
    "Martin Stockdale who heads the cross-sector fraud offering is also recommended for his skill on ‘large-scale matters’."
    The Legal 500 UK 2018/19

Work highlights

  • Causby-Smith enquiry – cross-insurer investigation into activities of Adrian Mantle who under various identities/pseudonyms operated over 12 vehicle assessor and accident management companies. Lead case of Adam v Lick UK Limited discredited Mantle as an expert witness. Saving insurer clients in excess of £2m.
  • Operation Neasden – lead role in cross-insurer and IFB enquiry into organised motor fraud claims where innocent road users targeted for induced collisions. Facilitating single cross-insurer litigation strategy and common pleading. 100% success for instructing insurer in approximately 20 claims saving nearly £500,000.
  • Operation Undergo – cross-insurer fraud enquiry into organised staged and contrived motor accidents. Coordinated industry engagement with police (pre-IFED) in respect of criminal referrals and position updates to stay civil proceedings in the courts. 100% success of instructing insurer, saving around £300,000.
  • Operation Clapham – cross-industry enquiry affecting insurers and self-insured risks. Coordinating defence and investigation for Kennedys’ self-insured corporate clients and leading engagement with IFB and insurers. 100% success for our clients, saving over £350,000.