Sam Wakerley
About Sam
Sam is an English qualified lawyer and Head of Insurance and reinsurance for HFW in the Middle East.
Sam has been based in the Dubai office since 2005 and has advised on some of the region’s largest energy, marine, property, liability, construction and PI insurance/reinsurance claims as well as complex treaty reinsurance disputes covering a range of risks including motor, medical and life. Sam also advises on commercial disputes within the insurance industry and generally, including broker E&O, TPA, shareholder, JV and other commercial disputes. His work involves general advisory work, all forms of arbitration, supervising local court litigation, DIFC / ADGM court work, English High Court work and mediation.
Sam is a registered practitioner with rights of audience before the DIFC Courts (Part II), and ADGM Courts. Sam is also a DIAC registered arbitrator.
What he does best
• Insurance and reinsurance claims, advisory, and disputes
• Dispute Resolution (mediation, arbitration and court litigation)
What the market says about Sam
Ranked in Band 1 for Insurance by Chambers Global UAE 2025
“Sam is my go-to legal resource and has been for several years.” Chambers UAE Insurance 2025
“An excellent team leader and excellent lawyer. He is highly regarded, market wide.” Chambers UAE Insurance 2025
“Sam is a highly regarded insurance claims practitioner. His ability to advise clients on how to navigate complex issues and search for solutions is well known and much appreciated.” Chambers UAE Insurance 2025
“Sam Wakerley is an amazing partner. He is always available and very responsive; a super person to work with.” Chambers UAE Insurance 2025
“His work and his interpretation of insurance matters is exceptional, and we can always rely on Sam to act with professional integrity when dealing with us.” Chambers UAE Insurance 2025
“Sam provides balanced and practical advice on the most complex insurance disputes, and clients value his ability to clearly communicate the pros and cons and the way forward. Without doubt he is one of the top insurance lawyers in the region, and his reputation is such that it can make a difference when representing clients.” Chambers Global UAE 2024
“Sam Wakerley is an excellent insurance law practitioner who is able to offer quality advice on the most complex matters.” Chambers Global UAE 2024
“He is pragmatic, experienced and extremely knowledgeable about the insurance sector.” Chambers Global UAE 2024
“Sam Wakerley is an excellent lawyer.” Chambers Global UAE 2024
Ranked as a Leading Individual in Insurance by Legal 500 EMEA 2023
“Sam Wakerley is a first class insurance claim/disputes lawyer and very much the go-to person in the UAE on complex insurance matters. His subject matter knowledge, responsiveness and problem solving mindset is a great help when solutions are sought.” Legal 500 EMEA 2023