Jane is a commercial dispute resolution lawyer who advises companies, board members and high-net-worth individuals on risk and the avoidance and resolution of disputes both domestic and international.
Jane has a particular focus on disputes involving property and trusts and maximising insurance recoveries for policyholders. She also advises companies in relation to workplace safety with experience in dealing with the aftermath of serious and fatal accidents in the workplace.
Although Jane prefers to resolve disputes without the need for proceedings, she has extensive experience of litigation, arbitration and mediation.
Jane’s decisiveness, clear insight and knowledge of the legal position allowed immediate progress and formed the foundation for a successful outcome. When matters became critical, Jane’s reassuring guidance alongside a candid view of the facts ensured the reality was understood but that the potential routes to resolution were clear. Aligned to this, an ability to bring clarity to and drive for the agreed objective, allowed a successful outcome to be reached. Achieving all of this, this while keeping the other side on their toes, ensured a challenging process became manageable while the desired resulted was negotiated.
Graeme Monce ACII ACILA
Managing Director Hamilton Bond Ltd Claims Consultants & Chartered Loss AdjustersI have been a client of Jane's for over thirty years both personally and in my capacity as Chief Executive Officer at Merchant Retail PLC. Jane has undertaken instructions upon complex commercial issues, very quickly understood complexities of the prospective litigation and provided advice of the highest qualities. Jane is an excellent lawyer, capable of pressing claims to a conclusion, but retains common sense and a pragmatic approach to balance the “win at all costs” approach.
Philip Newton
Chief Executive Officer at Merchant Retail PLC
Expertise
- Insurance disputes for policyholders
- Property disputes
- Contractual disputes
- Trust disputes
- Health and safety advice re work-related accidents
- Partnership and shareholder disputes
- Professional negligence involving solicitors, surveyors, accountants, insurance brokers and architects
- Financial institutions
- Fine art disputes
- Election disputes
- Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 advice and proceedings
- Section 146 Notices and possession proceedings
- Dilapidations claims
- Rent and service charge disputes
- Boundary disputes
- Squatters
- Advice on rights of way, rights of light, and easements
- Claims relating to nuisance caused by noise and smell
Experience
Insurance claims
- Acting for a leading retail chain to advise and assist in a dispute with a major broker
- Acted for major private bank on a wide-ranging review of their insurance policies
- Advised property owner on very large insurance claim following fire and the mismanagement of the rebuild by insurers’ appointed loss adjusters, and recovered a sum considerably in excess of policy limit
- Advised director of Guernsey financial institution on claims under D&O and PI policies and related claims for misconduct and breach of duty and obtained coverage previously denied
- Advised major property manager on coverage issues arising from leakage in shopping centre
- Obtained coverage for director implicated in major prosecution in an EU jurisdiction
- Advised global organisation on claim under political risk policy
- Advised financial institution in several LCIA trade credit insurance arbitrations
- Advised a company director in a major dispute in the Chancery Division in which serious allegations as to his acts and omissions as a director were made
- Advising director of company involved in unfair prejudice proceedings. D&O insurers denied coverage. Arbitration proceedings were commenced and were successful with coverage allowed. The insurers’ S69 application was successfully opposed. There have been ongoing disputes with insurers as to the quantum of the defence costs payable.
- Advising insured in claim against insurers for defective works to his property which had led to significant damp issues. Following mediation this was resolved with insurers paying a multiple of the limit of insurance
Property disputes
- Acted in a significant dispute with local authority
- Several cases involving the validity of break notices for both landlords and tenants including expedited trial and appeal
- Advised a property owner on claims by tenant arising from alleged toxic mould and damage to an art collection
- Successfully defended adverse possession claim
- Acted in a proprietary estoppel claim in a family dispute
- Acted for Transport for London in defending alleged misrepresentation claim as to development intentions
Trusts
- Advised corporate trustees on series of disputes involving tracing and title to trust assets
- Advised corporate trustees on property issues caused by mismanagement of assets by beneficiaries
- Advised beneficiary of trust in relation disputes with trustees and protector
- Advised a corporate trustee on the potential liabilities arising from an alleged failure to manage trust assets
- Retained as advisor to trustees of a settlement for 20 years
- Advised corporate trustees on potential liability arising from mismanagement of trust assets
Financial institutions
- Acted as global co-ordinator for bank facing proceedings in numerous jurisdictions
- Successfully got proceedings against a bank struck out (first instance and Court of Appeal)
- Acted for a financial institution in arbitrations arising from commodity trading disputes
- Enforced judgment for a bank obtained in an EU state
- Advised a bank on the sale of a vintage vehicle provided as security
- Worked with offshore lawyers advising trustees of settlements facing complex claims
Health and safety
- Advised construction and manufacturing companies in relation to accidents including attending on fatal accidents, carrying out interviews and investigations, inquest and criminal prosecution
- Advised companies on historic asbestos claims and liabilities
- Advised a manufacturing company following fatal accident inquest and subsequent prosecution
Fine art
- Advised bank on security over a vintage car
- Advised a high-net-worth individual in a dispute with an antique dealer
- Advised a landlord sued for damage to tenant’s art collection
- Advised a museum on a claim against auction house for misdescription
Partnership and shareholder disputes
Professional negligence
- Acting for employer in a claim against architects and contractors
- Defended claims against solicitors
Election disputes
- Advised local, mayoral and parliamentary candidates on election petitions and electoral offences
Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.
Recognition
Recognised by the Legal 500 2025 for Insurance Policy Holders
“Jane Harte-Lovelace’s attention to every legal detail and her empathy to our legal situation makes her stand out from all others.” The Legal 500 2025
“The lead partner, Jane Harte-Lovelace, has been understanding and relentless in pursuing our interests.” The Legal 500 2025
Recognised by Best Lawyers 2025 for Litigation
Recognised in Chambers and Partners Global Guide 2024 for Insurance: Mainly Policyholders
Recognised in Chambers UK (2020-2024) for Insurance: Mainly Policyholders
“We rely enormously on Jane’s patience and skill. She is always contactable and immediately responsive. She provides a clear understanding of the situation.” Chambers UK 2024
“Jane provides really superb service and combines it with commercial strength to advise us properly and to set expectations.” Chambers UK 2024
Recognised by Best Lawyers (UK) from 2009 – 2024 in the practice area of Litigation
“We had the utmost confidence in Jane’s ability to guide us through a very complicated situation. We could not have been in more reliable, knowledgeable hands.” Chambers UK 2023
Recognised in The Legal 500 2023 for Real Estate: Property Litigation
“Jane Harte-Lovelace was a pleasure to deal with. She provided advice promptly in a way that was intelligible to non-lawyers. Most importantly she was practical in the advice she gave and as well as being brilliant on legal aspect.” The Legal 500 2023
“Jane has excellent organisational and client care skills and is very responsive. She has wise business judgement and considers non-legal aspects on a matter with high emotional intelligence.” Chambers UK 2022
Recognised in “Firms to Watch” by The Legal 500 2022 for Insurance Litigation: For Policyholders
“She is extremely knowledgeable, very accommodating and works hard to reach a satisfactory resolution.” Chambers UK 2021
“An absolutely excellent insurance lawyer.” Chambers UK 2021
Recognised by The Legal 500 2021 for Insurance and Reinsurance Litigation
“Jane Harte-Lovelace offered relevant and suitable advice and had an appropriate understanding of the insurance industry and the subject matter.” Legal 500 2021
Recognised in the Legal 500 2020 for Insurance and Reinsurance Litigation
“Jane Harte-Lovelace is a fantastic lawyer and people person. She knows how to get the best for clients and she delivers time after time.” Legal 500 2020
Jane Harte-Lovelace of Keystone Law comes recommended as a “very commercial and sensible” practitioner. She has extensive experience across an array of policyholder disputes, including property claims and insurance issues relating to workplace safety. Chambers Global 2019
Jane Harte-Lovelace of Keystone Law comes recommended as a “very commercial and sensible” practitioner. She has extensive experience across an array of policyholder disputes, including property claims and insurance issues relating to workplace safety. Chambers UK 2019
Jane Harte-Lovelace of Keystone Law enjoys “an excellent reputation in the market,” according to interviewees. Her experience encompasses employer and D&O liability claims as well as business interruption and political risk disputes. Chambers UK 2018
Recognised as a leading individual by Chambers UK and Legal 500 for over a decade.
Jane Harte-Lovelace has a strong reputation for her work in the policyholder space. Areas of focus include property damage and business interruption claims, political risk, D&O and trade credit. Sources say: “She has a really good reputation, is very nice and knows what she is doing.”Chambers UK 2017
The “very thorough, approachable and helpful” Jane Harte-Lovelace heads the firm’s insurance team. She provides a broad practice which includes political risk, trade credit and public liability work. Chambers UK 2016
Jane Harte-Lovelace heads up the policyholder team and is a seasoned veteran on the claimant side. She is particularly adept at achieving her clients’ aims without unnecessary recourse to litigation. Chambers UK 2015
Jane Harte-Lovelace advises policyholders on a variety of significant disputed insurance claims. Sources celebrate her as a “savvy, experienced litigator who has a firm handle on the law and the practicalities of a fight.” Chambers 2014
Hugely experienced in handling professional indemnity, D&O and political risk cases. Chambers UK 2013
“Unfailingly professional”, the “exceptionally quick and thorough” Jane Harte-Lovelace handles high-profile D&O, professional indemnity and political risk cases. Chambers 2012
“Knowledgeable, and considerate to all issues”, and “follows through with advice and strategy”. Legal 500 2011
Member of the Property Litigation Association
Career
Jane qualified as a solicitor in 1983. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2017, she worked at the following firms:
- K&L Gates
- Stephenson Harwood