Legal Partnership to Help Hospitality Sector Reassess Covid Claims
The Cardiff-headquartered firm has already secured multiple victories for policyholders – rulings it describes as 'landmark' – and which it says open the door to reassessment for many businesses.
It describes the hospitality and leisure sectors as among the hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, with thousands of businesses faced with long closures, staff furloughs, and 'devastating' losses.
Many were unable to claim on their business interruption insurance policies, but Hugh James says the rulings it has won to date mean that if a business' claim was previously denied, or never made at all, there may still be a strong case for compensation.
The legal limitation period to bring claims is March 2026, but Hugh James will be closing its intake on 23 February 2026 to ensure every client's case can be properly assessed and progressed in time.
The rulings Hugh James has worked on include: A High Court victory for a Michelin-starred Welsh restaurant, setting a precedent for businesses affected by closure and access restrictions.
A £7.5 million arbitration win for hair and beauty salons across the UK under the 'Salon Gold' policy.
A Court of Appeal judgment which clarified insurer obligations and opened the door for thousands of previously unsuccessful claims to be reassessed.
The firm said:
'We've supported hundreds of clients across the hospitality and leisure sectors, from independent bars and pubs to national hotel chains and franchise gyms. Our success has come from detailed policy analysis, proactive litigation, and a deep understanding of sector-specific challenges.'
A spokesperson for Why Not Bar, Cardiff, said:
'Without Hugh James, we wouldn't have known we had a valid claim. They helped us challenge the rejection, made the process stress-free, and delivered results.'
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It's having a terrible impact on our lives and we're now having to look at all options, including annexing the properties and stripping out the cottage's kitchen.' Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now Since launching their business in February 2022, Colin and Rebecca have met what they thought were their required targets. In the first year, they hit 164 nights – way over the 70-night threshold that apparently existed at the time. When the bar was raised in April 2023, requiring owners to let their properties for at least 182 nights, they redoubled their efforts and, with price-cutting, they managed to meet the 182-night target in the subsequent two years. In the current financial year, they've so far let the cottage for 101 nights and are confident of reaching the target again. 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Local authorities are not at fault – they can only act on VOA assessments of a property's status based on the law at the time. The fall-out is sending shockwaves through a sector that's already struggling to meet the higher 182-night threshold. Of the estimated 22,000 short-term lets in Wales, feedback suggests around half are failing to hit the target. For owners, the ramifications are disastrous. In a recent PASC Cymru survey, 47% of owners now paying premium council taxes said they are now losing money. In North Wales, only Wrexham Council doesn't charge a second home premium. Elsewhere, it ranges from 100% (double) to 200% (treble). Councils justify the policy as a necessary measure to manage the proliferation of holiday and second homes, aiming to alleviate the housing crisis. But with tourism a major contributor to the Welsh economy, critics claim the approach risks hobbling the industry. Nicky noted the typical holiday let in Wales is a two-bedroom cottage. 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If a customer informs us that they are experiencing financial hardship we will prioritise their case.' In Afonwen, Colin and Rebecca now feel trapped. As things stand, making a profit is difficult enough without large and unexpected bills. Mothballing their holiday let would not only depreciate the property, it would attract an empty home premium. Like the second home equivalent in Flintshire, this currently amounts to 100% on top of standard council tax bills. From next year, Flintshire's empty home premium will be levied on a sliding scale ranging from 150%-300%. In an attempt to stop the two properties being considered separate homes, one option being explored is to link them together via an extension, and stripping out the cottage kitchen. It's an approach that's been tried elsewhere in Wales but PASC Cymru said a legal precedent has yet to be set. Colin, a quantity survey, is determined to fight for justice and has raised a formal complaint with the VOA. He said: 'This is not a second home, it is literally less than 10 steps from our back door. We do not go there for weekends or on holiday!'
