Geopolitical risk and insurance coverage - navigating complex disputes in a rapidly changing global environment

The World is in a state of flux and uncertainty not seen for a generation, at least. Uncertainty reigns across the globe, but particularly in the Middle East and North Africa as long-term regimes face significant internal and external pressures. How do foreign investors protect their interests in the face of such turmoil? While investors have often looked to Bilateral and Multilateral Investment Treaties as their backstop protection, the London and International insurance markets also provide coverages designed to protect geopolitical risk – political risk, contract frustration, political violence and terrorism insurance. These products provide insurance protection for risks ranging from War and Civil War, to Expropriation, through to Strikes, Riots and Civil Commotion.

Our geopolitical expert from CRI, Hugo Corden-Lloyd, will take the audience through a recap of the short-and medium-term past of the Middle-East, with insights into Syria and Iran in particular. Paul Baker, Political Risk, Trade Credit and Political Violence Lead at DAC Beachcroft, will then walk through insurance solutions for geopolitical risk, explaining the legal analysis involved in navigating coverage through the varied products, before Aidan Christie KC and Rani Noakes from 4 Pump Court assess how English Law and the English Courts have wrestled with issues of geopolitics in the context of complex disputes.