Mishcon de Reya secures litigation funder for dental practice group

Mishcon de Reya, the law firm representing several groups considering litigation against their insurers over refusals to cover Covid-19 claims under business interruption policies, has secured a litigation funder for a dental practice group dispute against QBE.

The litigation funder is “experienced and well-capitalised”, according to Mishcon de Reya, although the law firm did not reveal its identity.

Mishcon de Reya is specifically targeting dental practice owners with business interruption insurance policies insured by QBE (office insurance policy) and set a deadline of 19 June for interested parties to join the group claim.

The law firm’s litigation offering to dentists comes on the back of similar group claims on which it is currently advising, including the Hiscox Action Group and hospitality sector-focused claims against Aviva and QBE. 

Mishcon de Reya is working with Jeffrey Gruder QC of Essex Court Chambers, which believes that “claims under the QBE dental practice policies are ripe for challenge”.

Sonia Campbell, partner and head of the insurance disputes practice at Mishcon de Reya, said: “The issue for dentists is similar in many ways to that experienced by the other businesses whom we also advise. Dental practice owners responsibly insured themselves against the risk of financial losses, including from notifiable diseases and yet, just like those in other trades, soon learned that their claims have been rejected.”

“Practice owners provide an invaluable service to patients in their local communities. We hope by supporting dental practices we can help them restore their vital businesses to full health.”

The British Dental Association (BDA) recently appointed a legal adviser to look into why insurers are not paying insurance claims of dentists for business interruption during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

Law firm Brown Rudnick will examine insurance policies affecting dental practices on behalf of the BDA’s 22,000 members, many of whom have organised on social media to gather relevant evidence on the full range of policies in the sector.

News of further group claims against insurers comes as the Financial Conduct Authority seeks a court declaration to resolve contractual uncertainty in business interruption insurance cover.

Mark Dugdale