Retour United Kingdom - The Bar

Clinical Negligence

Byrom Street Chambers

Exchange Chambers

Leading Silks

Darryl Allen KC – Byrom Street Chambers ‘Darryl is really meticulous and great at getting to the heart of issues. His recall, ability to focus on key issues, and tactical know-how are all first rate.'

Bill Braithwaite KC – Exchange Chambers

Nicholas Braslavsky KC – Kings Chambers ‘Nicholas is extremely able and has a wealth of experience in complex quantum cases, being able to advise on novel claims with a logical and thorough approach. He is thoughtful and approachable and clients and solicitors enjoy working with him.'

Sally Hatfield KC – Byrom Street Chambers ‘Sally is excellent. She is always thoroughly prepared and her attention to detail is first class, she has excellent client care skills, and she is very responsive.'

Winston Hunter KC – Byrom Street Chambers ‘Winston is a powerful advocate and brilliant with clients. He is a force to be reckoned with.'

Rhiannon Jones KC – Byrom Street Chambers ‘Rhiannon has excellent client care skills, she is sympathetic but direct, and she can manage expectations well. Her negotiation skills are supreme and she is very skilful with spine and brain cases.'

David Knifton KC – Exchange Chambers ‘David is a magnificent leader and true heavyweight silk on the northern circuit. An exceptionally talented tactician and strategist, he is dazzling; clients trust in him completely and he will fight tooth and nail to get the best result possible.’

Christopher Melton KC – Byrom Street Chambers ‘Christopher is one of the most experienced silks conducting complex, high-value clinical negligence cases. He is extremely experienced, reliable, and calm under pressure, and he has a wonderful manner with clients, always putting them at ease and showing great empathy.'

Sarah Pritchard KC – Kings Chambers ‘Sarah offers everything you need in a barrister and more. She is highly skilled, extremely experienced and knowledgeable, she is fearless and strategically capable, she is able to step outside of the minutiae of the pleadings when needed and consider cases tactically as well as technically, and she is fiercely intelligent and very quick witted.’

James Rowley KC – Byrom Street Chambers ‘James is simply a master of clinical negligence litigation. He is very approachable and always has time to discuss cases, he is passionate about his work, and he fights very hard for his clients.'

Lauren Sutherland KC – Byrom Street Chambers ‘Lauren is very approachable and is good with clients. As you would expect of a KC, she is very knowledgeable in her field of law, however, it is her warm and approachable manner which makes you want to instruct her in clinical negligence claims.'

Christopher Barnes KC – Exchange Chambers ‘Christopher is the very definition of the ideal barrister. He is approachable, makes himself available and has the ability to simplify the most complex matter, which is an essential skill when trying to negotiate a highly complex clinical negligence claim.'

John Benson KC – Atlantic Chambers 'John is absolutely excellent all round. His papers are dealt with quickly, the quality of pleadings and advice is first rate, he is a very good advocate, he is always available to discuss issues, and he is excellent with clients and experts.'

Stephen Grime KC – Deans Court Chambers

Simon Kilvington KC – Byrom Street Chambers ‘Simon is highly experienced in serious injury claims. He is forensically detailed in his assessments and provides clear, helpful advice to maximise claims for clients.'

Gerard Martin KC – Exchange Chambers ‘Gerard is able to identify the salient issues almost from day one, and within that helps to manage risk as well as being able to maximise the end result for the client. Not only does he have cutting edge knowledge, which is continuously being updated, but he also has a very personable manner with the clients.'

Gerard McDermott KC – Kings Chambers

Michael Redfern KC – St John’s Buildings

2023 Silks

Helen Mulholland KC – Kings Chambers ‘Helen is an outstanding advocate and individual. Her work ethic is unrivalled and she is fiercely loyal to her clients, who are in the very best of hands with her.'

Mary Ruck KC – Byrom Street Chambers ‘Mary's strengths include her attention to detail and her insight and understanding of the issues that affect seriously injured claimants, and then using those skills to present the evidence in a way that maximises the chances of getting the compensation that will help to change things for the better.'

Leading Juniors

Darrel Crilley – Byrom Street Chambers

Elizabeth Francis – Atlantic Chambers ‘Elizabeth is extremely detailed in her approach to cases and leaves no stone unturned in any aspect of her work. As a clinical negligence specialist, she has a deep level of understanding of the legal issues and applies them to individual cases efficiently, and she is always approachable and happy to help.’

Chris Gutteridge – Exchange Chambers ‘Chris is an utterly fabulous junior who quickly gets to the heart of a claim to bring matters to a swift and effective resolution. A fantastic understanding of difficult claims, providing clear and eloquent advice with practical solutions.'

Victoria Heyworth – Kings Chambers ‘Victoria is an outstanding barrister and a go-to barrister for any technical queries and cases which require forensic analysis. She always makes you feel like you are working as a team, she leads conferences with gravitas, and clinicians trust her judgement.’

Kirsty McKinlay – 9 St John Street

Stephen McNamara – Byrom Street Chambers ‘Stephen is very knowledgeable and meticulous when reviewing records and expert evidence. He is very impressive in conference with experts, testing their evidence and ensuring all parts of the case have been carefully considered.'

Joseph Mulderig – 9 St John Street ‘Joseph is always extremely prepared and shares his preliminary thoughts before entering into a conference with the client. He makes the client feel comfortable whilst also ensuring they know the hard truths about their case and any risks they face.'

Kevin Naylor – Exchange Chambers ‘Kevin practised medicine before being called to the Bar and there are very few counsel who can offer such a unique perspective on complex clinical negligence cases. His advice is always definitive and clear, which again is welcomed when the issues are so complicated.’

Richard Norton – St John’s Buildings ‘Richard is a superb and highly experienced barrister who is exquisite on his feet and skilful on paper. He is eloquent in court, getting fantastic results, and he has a very calm, composed, and friendly approach that lay clients adore.'

Michael Smith – Deans Court Chambers ‘Michael is a very good advocate who gets on well with clients and his opposition. He is able to handle complex medical issues and challenge experts and handles clinicians sensitively.'

Claire Steward – Kings Chambers ‘Claire is undoubtedly one of the most insightful barristers on the northern circuit. Her attention to detail is unrivalled and her knowledge extensive, she is able to understand cases from all perspectives which ensures her advice is well-considered and appropriate, and she is not afraid to deliver uncomfortable advice where necessary.'

Matthew Stockwell – Exchange Chambers ‘Matthew has a strategic brain better than many silks. He combines his knowledge of the law and procedure with practical thinking to get strong results for claimants, and he is also very approachable.'

Jason Wells – Byrom Street Chambers ‘Jason is intelligent, thoughtful, and has great attention to detail. These are all qualities that are required in complex clinical negligence cases which he handles with top-class skill and expertise.'

Richard Borrett – Kings Chambers 'Richard is always well prepared for conferences and quickly develops a good rapport with clients. He is easy to work alongside and is highly responsive when raising any questions in regards to ongoing cases, and his advice is always well prepared and thorough.'

Jasmine Chan – Kings Chambers 'Jasmine is professional and pragmatic. She is very approachable and responsive and has a great rapport with clients and experts, and her written work has attention to detail.'

Daniel Frieze - St John's Buildings

Louise Green – Kings Chambers ‘Louise has fantastic communication skills and is empathetic with clients, resulting in her being able to build a strong rapport with clients, often at the outset of the claim. Clients appreciate her warm and approachable nature, and her advocacy and negotiation skills are also second-to-none.'

Philip Grundy – St John’s Buildings ‘Philip has outstanding attention to detail. His craft and nous, inside and outside the courtroom, reflect his intellect and vast experience, and he always sees the bigger picture and delivers results.'

Charlotte Law – Kings Chambers ‘Charlotte is a sophisticated user of mediation, using it where it is of clear benefit to her clients to do so. She is remarkably clever, personally very charming, and she is focussed on achieving the best results for her clients, using her knowledge of the process to best advantage.'

Richard Livingston – Kings Chambers

Julie-Anne Luck – 9 St John Street ‘As a former solicitor, Julie-Anne is ideally placed to understand the solicitor-client relationship. She has assisted on a number of newborn fatal accident claims, and her client care is ideal for guiding the family through both the inquest and the subsequent civil claim.'

Stephen Maguire – Kings Chambers 'Stephen is extremely hard working, thorough, and presents very well. He identifies issues very early and advises both via papers and in conference very well, he has a very clear style of advocacy recognising the issues and is able to invariably succeed on the same.'

Gemma McGungle – 18 St John Street Chambers ‘Gemma is a very knowledgeable and experienced counsel whose passion to assist the victims of clinical negligence shines through in the way she manages the cases in which she is instructed. She understands the pressures on claimants and is respectful of the toll these cases take on them, always considering the pressures on them alongside the legal advice on the case and recommended action.'

Sara Sutherland – Exchange Chambers ‘Sara is a truly outstanding barrister. She has an excellent knowledge of all areas of the law relating to clinical negligence, and she has first-rate analytical and interpersonal skills.'

Christian Taylor – Exchange Chambers ‘Christian can grasp and analyse complex issues arising in clinical negligence claims. He provides balanced, thoughtful, yet definite advice without delay, and he will readily engage in discussions with instructing solicitors around strategy.'

Henry Vanderpump – St John’s Buildings ‘Henry's advice is always realistic, supported by evidence, and drafted in a way that is accessible to the client. In conference, he is very open, persuasive, and again can explain matters to a client in a manner that they will understand.'

Alastair Wright – St John’s Buildings

Rising Stars

Daniel Kinnear – St John’s Buildings 'Daniel is a very talented medical and dental negligence barrister with an impressive ability to robustly plead medical and dental negligence cases, making them hard to defend. His success is also underpinned with a detailed understanding of procedural matters and case law which makes him a highly effective litigator, delivering great results for clients.'

Rebecca Titus-Cobb – St John’s Buildings

Clinical negligence in Regional Bar

Tier 1 sets

Byrom Street Chambers

Byrom Street Chambers is praised as ‘a fantastic set with a range of expertise in clinical negligence cases’. It is home to head of chambers Winston Hunter KC, and he is especially skilled in handling clinical negligence cases with complex issues of medical causation, as well as birth-related claims. Christopher Melton KC has appeared before the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, and Darryl Allen KC is another key name; he successfully represented the claimant in Astley v Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, in which the negligent failure to accurately monitor the claimant’s heart rate led to severe brain damage. Rhiannon Jones KC has a particular interest in tortious personal injuries that are subsequently treated negligently and thus lead to clinical negligence claims, while Simon Kilvington KC has substantial expertise in birth injury and cerebral palsy claims. Mary Ruck KC is well-equipped to handle claims that involve psychiatrically-injured and vulnerable claimants. David Heaton KC has now retired from practice.

Les références

‘Steve Price, Matt Tudor, Megan Cook, and Lucy Bardsley are recommended for their excellent and reliable service.’

‘All of the clerks are great to deal with, and this can be the most senior to the most junior. Steve Price leads the team in conjunction with Matt Tudor. The clerks cannot be praised enough. They are just awesome in all they do, without question.’

‘All very good. Steve Price heads up an excellent team. Matt Tudor is an impressive deputy and all the team are keen and helpful. Megan Cook is good too.’

Principaux dossiers

Tier 2 sets

Exchange Chambers

The clinical negligence department at Exchange Chambers is frequently instructed by both a broad range of claimants as well as defendants including hospitals and NHS organisations, medical defence organisations and other insurers. Gerard Martin KC specialises in brain and spinal cord injury clinical negligence cases, in addition to amputation-related claims, while David Knifton KC acts predominantly for claimants in cases surrounding obstetric injuries, delays in diagnosis, and consent issues. Of recent note, he acted for the claimant in Brown v Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, a clinical negligence claim arising from the failure to investigate and treat major falls in blood pressure in a diabetic woman who went on to suffer from strokes. Christopher Barnes KC and Bill Braithwaite KC are also notable members of the set. Turning to the juniors, Kevin Naylor is a key name, having previously practised as a doctor, and Matthew Stockwell has significant experience in handling cases arising from brain, spinal, and life-changing injuries.

Les références

‘Very efficient and this is from the most senior to the most junior. Rachel Williams particularly impresses.’

‘The service provided by Exchange Chambers and the clerk’s room is exceptional. They deliver to a very high standard. The clerks are professional, helpful, and friendly. Rachel Williams and Sarah Rotherham are consummate professionals – they are reliable and always willing to help.’

‘Neil Wright should be singled out. He is a problem solver and someone who is more than willing to go above and beyond. He carries out his job gracefully and effectively without any fuss.’

Principaux dossiers

Kings Chambers

Kings Chambers is home to Sarah Pritchard KC, who is sought after by defendants in high-value clinical negligence claims. Helen Mulholland KC acts for both claimants and defendants, and of recent note has been instructed on several cerebral palsy claims. Nicholas Braslavsky KC boasts substantial expertise in a range of clinical negligence cases, including asphyxia and cerebral palsy mandates, misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis, and GP negligence claims. Sarah Pritchard KC specialises in cases arising from negligently handled births, spinal injuries, and surgical negligence. Charlotte Law is another notable name in this area, often handling complex issues of medicine, while Claire Steward is skilled in cases concerning issues of liability. Richard Borrett is another notable member of the set who is instructed by both claimants and defendants, and his expertise spans across surgical, dental, GP, and maternity claims.

Les références

‘Extremely professional and accommodating, especially Paul Clarke, Stephen Loxton, and Leanne Martin.’

‘The clerks are helpful and responsive. Stephen Loxton is really helpful and approachable.’

‘Clerks are friendly, reliable, and efficient. Of note are Stephen Loxton, Paul Clarke, Leanne Martin, and Aaron Smith.’

Principaux dossiers

St John's Buildings

St John’s Buildings is home to Richard Norton, who predominantly handles claimant work arising from delayed diagnoses, surgical negligence, and negligent post-operative care. Of recent note, he successfully acted for the claimant a case arising from a delay in treating sepsis which lead to the death of the patient. Philip Grundy handles the entire gamut of clinical negligence cases, with a special focus on cauda equina cases, in addition to delayed diagnoses of brain tumours among other cancers. Henry Vanderpump has expertise in claims where there are reduced capacity issues, while Rebecca Titus-Cobb is sought after by both claimants and defendants, including NHS trusts, for clinical negligence cases. She is particularly adept in cases regarding negligent treatment of vulnerable adults, and she acted for the defendant in a case arising from an alleged avoidable stillbirth and pursuant psychiatric injury suffered by the claimant.

Les références

‘Very professional service. Martin Craggs is always helpful and responsive.’

‘Excellent clerking team. Chris Shaw and Martin Craggs are incredibly responsive and helpful.’

‘The clerk’s room is highly efficient and user-friendly, especially Chris Shaw and Tim Booth.’

Principaux dossiers

Tier 3 sets

9 St John Street

The members at 9 St John Street are instructed by both claimants and defendants in clinically negligent medical, dental, and cosmetic treatment cases. Joseph Mulderig predominately acts for claimants in large loss and complex cases, such as high-value birth injuries, cauda equina, and fatal injuries. Kirsty McKinlay and Julie-Anne Luck are also key names in this arena.

Les références

‘Phillip Spencer of 9 St John Street is prompt at dealing with enquiries and acknowledging instructions.’

‘I work mainly with Phillip Spencer, who is always helpful and professional. Phillip responds to queries very quickly, whether that be by telephone or email.’

‘All the civil clerks are excellent, and Phillip Spencer is great.’

Principaux dossiers

Atlantic Chambers

Atlantic Chambers acts solely for claimants across a wide range of clinical negligence cases, from obstetric, orthopaedic, surgical and neurological cases, to general practice and psychiatry, and emergency services and dentistry. At the silk level, John Benson KC has a split practice between clinical negligence and personal injury. Elizabeth Francis is a notable junior who acts exclusively in clinical negligence cases.

Les références

‘All the clerks are lovely and very easy to contact and talk to. Lee Cadwallader in particular has a real understanding about the cases and looks after not only counsel but lawyers too.’

‘The clerks, especially Lee Cadwallader and Gary Quinn, are very helpful and eager to assist.’

‘The clerks are always professional and efficient at dealing with instructions and queries. Lee Cadwallader in particular is extremely helpful and approachable and will always go above and beyond to assist.’

Principaux dossiers

Deans Court Chambers

Deans Court Chambers houses Michael Smith, who represents both claimants and defendants. His practice encompasses complex causation and quantum disputes, and these include cases arising from cauda equina, amputations, and delayed cancer diagnoses. The set is also home to Stephen Grime KC, who has a very active clinical negligence practice.

Les références

‘The clerks are very helpful and responsive.’

Classements par PratiqueRegional Bar