Manoj Vaghela

Who? Manoj Vaghela, partner at Charles Russell Speechlys, UK.

Why is he in the news? Represented Greggs in a legal battle between insurers and high street retail giants seeking to claim hundreds of millions in compensation under their business interruption policies due to Covid-19. The court backed Greggs’ argument that it was entitled to multiple insurance limits for business interruptions caused by the pandemic. Insurers argued that it was entitled to only one limit.

Thoughts on the case: ‘It was important that the insured and the insurers behaved sensibly and responsibly to obtain answers to some very hard examination questions which they had to put to the judge. The most significant issue from our perspective was whether we were entitled to one insurance limit of £2.5m or multiple limits. Of wider interest to the market was whether government support should be seen as a windfall or deducted from insurance losses.

‘A feature of these cases was the mutual respect and cooperation shown by all the lawyers involved in the case. Hard-fought, but important for getting some sort of certainty.

‘The wider implication is that hundreds of these policies have been sold to corporates, who can balance their books better now we have the answer, subject to appeal of course!’

Dealing with the media: ‘As with all big cases, we knew there would be press interest. We worked hand in hand with our client and our in-house PR team to prepare our messaging, so it was all ready to go, once we had the green light. The media were quick off the mark, and we obliged with the usual judgment-sharing and demystifying of the legal jargon. Although there is a great business story to be told, the priority is the best result for the client.’

Why become a lawyer? ‘As a British Asian, I was expected to study medicine and rebelled by choosing law. But more by luck than design I found a job I love. I am a campaigner at heart.’

Career high: ‘Seeing people I’ve helped, trained, and mentored over the years flourish in partnerships, insurance companies and major banks, and maintaining friendships with them.’

Career low: ‘Winning an application before Master Topley, who deducted £100 from our costs because I’d forgotten the pleadings bundle. My boss was very kind and said he would prefer me to forget the pleadings and win the application rather than remember pleadings and lose. I never forgot them again!’

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