Bermudian law firm Sedgwick Chudleigh Ltd is to become Kennedys Chudleigh Ltd after it joined London-based Kennedys’ global network.

Partner Mark Chudleigh, who is a dispute resolution specialist with a strong emphasis on insurance matters, will lead the operation, supported by partners Alex Potts and Nick Miles, who both have commercial litigation, advocacy and corporate expertise.

The team is completed by associates Caitlin Conyers and Neil Thomson and will provide a wide range of claims and litigation, arbitration and mediation services, as well as corporate, commercial and regulatory advice to insurers, reinsurers and other organisations across a range of industries.

The Bermuda office, located at 20 Brunswick Street, Hamilton, will operate as an independent law firm, known as Kennedys Chudleigh Ltd, which will be regulated under the Bermuda Bar Act 1974.

“This is a major development for our global expansion as it establishes a local presence in one of the world’s most important insurance markets and a leading financial centre,” Kennedys said in a statement on its website.

Kennedys has more than 1,800 staff worldwide with 36 offices across the UK and Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific and the Middle East.

“The firm has a very similar culture and values to our firm’s culture in Bermuda,” Mr Chudleigh said.

“The global reach of Kennedys is unsurpassed for an insurance and litigation firm, and the available expertise and resources over the Kennedys network places us in a unique position in Bermuda as we continue to service our valued clients.

“Kennedys’ interest in Bermuda as an international financial centre is also a very welcome development for the country as a whole, as the jurisdiction looks to attract new business and investment opportunities involving many of the countries in which Kennedys operates.”

The deal adds to significant growth for Kennedys this year, during which the firm has announced office openings in Bangkok, Melbourne, Mexico City and Paris. In June, the firm also announced a merger with US law firm Carroll McNulty & Kull.

Nick Thomas, senior partner of Kennedys, said the Bermuda office “significantly augments our global insurance practice and puts us in a class of one among insurance law firms”.