Claire Bushen

Claire is a Manchester-based partner. She became a partner at Kennedys in 2013.

Claire specialises in defending and advising on professional negligence claims. Her clients include national and international reinsurers, accountants and auditors, insurance brokers, estate agents, solicitors and regulatory bodies.

Her particular expertise lies in solicitors’ negligence cases across all specialisms including conveyancing, failed litigation, matrimonial, wills and probate, mortgage lenders’ claims and corporate transactions (including group actions). Claire also specialises in defending claims against accountants pertaining to tax advice, audit practice and procedure and fraud allegations. She defends claims against insurance brokers and intermediaries, including failure to place cover. She deals with issues relating to disclosure, misrepresentation and due diligence, and obtaining of appropriate performance bonds.

Claire provides coverage advice regarding policy issues and wordings, and is experienced in dealing with regulatory bodies and fraud investigations. She also advises on risk management and professional conduct.

Claire has managed an impressive range of negligence claims from defending a high-profile MP to providing coverage advice in relation to 40 separate claims against a solicitors firm totaling £3m. Another highlight includes advising on an unenforceable collateral agreement regarding development properties that resulted in alleged losses in the region of £1.5m.

In addition to her work at the firm, Claire is a member of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers and regularly lectures on reinsurance issues.

Qualifications

• Qualified in England and Wales in 2001