Expertise
April McClements is a Partner in the Insurance and Dispute Resolution team. April is a commercial litigator and specialises in insurance disputes.
April advises insurance companies on policy wording interpretation, complex coverage disputes (in particular relating to financial lines policies), D&O claims, professional indemnity claims, including any potential third party liability, and subrogation claims. April manages a significant number of professional indemnity claims for professionals, including insurance brokers, architects and engineers, for a variety of insurers.
April has been involved in obtaining High Court approval for various insurance portfolio transfers and/or schemes of arrangement arising from reorganisations and/or mergers and acquisitions involving life, non-life and captive insurers. April also works in the area of general commercial litigation with a particular focus on contractual disputes, most of which are litigated in the Commercial Court. She is also a strong advocate of ADR and has acted for clients in mediations and arbitration.
April is a member of the Law Society of Ireland, the Insurance Institute of Ireland and the British Insurance Law Association. She has contributed to various industry publications and has participated in seminars as a speaker on insurance issues.
- Advising Aviva in relation to a significant subrogation claim against the ESB which is being litigated in the Commercial Court arising from flooding in Cork City in November 2009.
- Advised Aviva on the Commercial Court application for approval of the restructuring of the non-life insurance business of Aviva Ireland. This was one of the largest restructurings of an Irish insurance business in recent years and involved more than one million policyholders.
- Defended an insurance broker in a significant professional indemnity action by Bloxham Stockbrokers alleging under- insurance.
- Advising an insurer in respect of cover under a Financial Institutions policy for multiple misselling claims.
- Acting for Kenmare Resources in the Supreme Court appeal of a €10 million libel award.
- Advised an insurer in relation to coverage of various D&O claims.
- Advised an insurer in relation to coverage of a fidelity claim notified by an Irish head-quartered company under its Commercial Crime Insurance Policy in respect of losses suffered by its US subsidiary as a result of alleged theft and fraud by other parties including former employees.
- Successfully represented excess layer insurers, Chubb and WR Berkley, in declaratory coverage proceedings in the Commercial Court in respect of the Michael Lynn professional indemnity cover.
"April McClements – she is structured, clear and cooperative with a deep understanding of the needs of the client; focused and goal oriented.’
Insurance: The European Legal 500 2024
"April McClements – knowledge and collaborative approach."
Insurance: The European Legal 500 2024
"I have dealt with April McClements and her team in respect of several litigations and highly sensitive disputes. April is able to read a litigation in a highly astute way, instilling confidence in her client’s decision to commence proceedings. April is a very friendly and engaging lawyer, who manages a given litigation from start to finish in a highly professional manner. April is not afraid to call out weaknesses that she may identify in a given case, but is able to adapt and plan for these so as to secure the likely success of the litigation as a whole, on the assumption that any such weaknesses are not fatal to the case."
Insurance: The European Legal 500 500 2024
“April McClements skilfully directs cases to outstanding conclusions.”
Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Chambers Europe 2024
“She is always willing to listen to client queries and provide sound, well-argued and authoritative advice.”
Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Chambers Europe 2024
"April oversaw the drafting of excellent submissions, both written and oral on the day, which ultimately found favour with all three Court of Appeal judges. If Matheson believes that you have a state-able case, they can be relied upon to attain the optimum outcome achievable in the particular circumstances of your case. Their expertise in this area is second to no-one in the Irish market."
Insurance: The European Legal 500 2023
"In the litigation space, Matheson has successfully run a high-profile appeal for us in the High Court, and ultimately the Court of Appeal. Despite many twists and turns, Matheson, and April McClements in particular, consistently steered the litigation in the right direction and oversaw an outstanding victory for us in the Courts, vindicating our decision to commence litigation in the first place".
Insurance: The European Legal 500 2023
"April McClements' guidance is structured, clear and on time. She is highly reliable and cooperative with a deep understanding of the needs of the client."
Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Chambers Europe 2023
"She has a clear grasp of insurance law and is also a very efficient litigator."
Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Chambers Europe 2022
April McClements, attention to detail is second to none"
Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Chambers Europe 2021
April McClements "is pragmatic and takes into account our commercial realities."
Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Chambers Europe 2021
Sources state that April McClements is an "expert in her field and very well respected in the Irish legal arena." She is described as "very well-informed" and "thorough" with "technical knowledge and attention to detail is second to none."
Insurance: The European Legal 500 2021
"April McClements is very good at turning around important advice to tight deadlines and is excellent as a technical lawyer."
Insurance: The European Legal 500 2021
Sources say April’s "level of knowledge is incredible and she works very hard for her clients."
Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Chambers Europe 2020
“April McClements very quickly becomes a technical expert in areas under litigation. She is a highly efficient lawyer.”
Insurance: The European Legal 500 2020
April McClements is a "highly efficient lawyer"
Insurance: The European Legal 500 2020
University College Dublin and Osgoode Hall Law School, Toronto (BCL, International)
Law Society of Ireland, Diploma in Commercial Litigation
Qualified as a solicitor in Ireland
Qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales (non-practising)