Global, sector-focused law firm HFW advised Westford Limited in its successful Kuala Lumpur High Court case against Archipelago Insurance Limited.
Westford were insured under a trade credit insurance policy issued by Archipelago. The policy covered the non-payment of insured debts by former commodities trader Phoenix Global. Phoenix went into liquidation in the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre in June 2020 and a claim was filed by Westford under the policy, which was subsequently rejected by Archipelago.
HFW, working with the Malaysian firm Jasper Hee Partnership, successfully argued that Westford’s claim against Archipelago was covered under the Policy. The Malaysian Court rejected all defences put forward by Archipelago and ordered them to make payment of the full amount claimed, being approximately US$4.5 million (plus costs and interest), in accordance with the terms of the policy.
HFW’s team advising Westford was led by John Barlow in Dubai, and also included Shane Gibbons in Geneva and Emily Hook in Dubai.
HFW’s leading global insurance team comprises experts across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, offering a comprehensive range of advisory, dispute resolution, transactional, and regulatory services to clients across the sector. The firm recently strengthened its offering with the hire of senior corporate and regulatory insurance partner Bob Haken in London.
