Clinical Negligence

Leading Silks

Darryl Allen KC – Byrom Street Chambers ‘His command of the evidence combined with his engaging delivery and incisive cross-examination delivers excellent results.’

Nicholas Braslavsky KC – Kings Chambers 'A silk who is extremely clear in his advice to clients and very approachable. His experience shows during complex negotiations. His is responsive and practical in his approach to cases.'

Sally Hatfield KC – Byrom Street Chambers 'Sally has a great intellect and a pragmatic approach. She always gets to the nub of the issue without wasting time.'

Winston Hunter KC – Byrom Street Chambers 'Winston has many exceptional qualities. He is technically brilliant, has a wide breadth of knowledge and is very personable with clients.'

Rhiannon Jones KC – Byrom Street Chambers 'Rhiannon is exemplary at handling brain and spinal cases.'

David Knifton KC – Exchange Chambers ‘A magnificent leader and a true heavyweight silk in the Northern Circuit. An exceptional tactician and strategist. He is sensational. Clients put their absolute trust in him.’

Gerard Martin KC – Exchange Chambers ‘He is extremely experienced and balanced in his actions. He works extremely hard to put clients at ease and ensure that cases run as effectively and smoothly as possible.’

Christopher Melton KC – Byrom Street Chambers 'A brilliant counsel. He has a huge wealth of experience and is an excellent negotiator, with great empathy for clients. Willing to take on and fight difficult cases.'

Sarah Pritchard KC – Kings Chambers 'Sarah is an exceptional advocate. She takes a strategic and practical approach to complex and sensitive matters. A very impressive silk.'

James Rowley KC – Byrom Street Chambers 'James is dazzling in consultation. An innovative thinker.'

Lauren Sutherland KC – Byrom Street Chambers 'Lauren is exceptional with clients. She shows real empathy, understanding and time. She is a determined litigator and fights for justice.'

Christopher Barnes KC – Exchange Chambers ‘A very strong silk. He is a tough negotiator and a fierce advocate. He is approachable, makes himself available, and has the ability to simplify the most complex matters.’

Gerard McDermott KC – Kings Chambers 'A true titan of the clinical negligence space. An utterly formidable barrister, eloquent and sympathetic to clients who absolutely adore him. He provides sophisticated, practical advice.'

Helen Mulholland KC – Kings Chambers 'Helen's ability to navigate complex medical and legal issues is exceptional. She is tactically excellent and can see a set of facts, visualise a path to winning a case and plead it concisely. Clients love her.'

Michael Redfern KC – St John’s Buildings

Mary Ruck KC – Byrom Street Chambers 'She is a very analytical and thorough silk.'

Leading Juniors

Elizabeth Francis – Hundred Court Chambers 'Elizabeth is extremely knowledgeable and gets to the crux of complex clinical negligence cases with ease. Her empathy is notable yet she has steely determination when needed. She is approachable, and easily builds rapport with clients and experts alike.'

Chris Gutteridge – Exchange Chambers 'A technically astute junior who cuts through complex matters to get to the heart of the issue. He is an outstanding barrister: friendly, approachable and a good tactician.'

Victoria Heyworth – Kings Chambers 'Victoria is a passionate advocate who leaves no stone unturned.'

Daniel Kinnear – St John’s Buildings ‘He has an air of experience and calm that instills confidence and is incredibly reassuring. A skilled advocate that gets results. He can speak to clients and professionals with ease.’

Kirsty McKinlay – Nine Chambers 'Kirsty is extremely analytical and a force to be reckoned with on cases involving forensic consideration. She has a dynamic energy which drives the case forward. She challenges expert witnesses on the most nuanced and finely balanced points with rigour.'

Stephen McNamara – Byrom Street Chambers 'An agile junior, with an intellectual rigour he applies to all issues in a case.'

Joseph Mulderig – Nine Chambers 'A persuasive advocate with the ability to cut to the heart of the issues, not taking weak points. He is able to think on his feet in court thanks to his grasp of the detail and forensic preparation for every case.'

Kevin Naylor – Exchange Chambers 'Kevin is brilliant with clients. He is a true problem solver, and he is not afraid to take calculated risks, which often lead to desired outcomes. He is very experienced, extremely knowledgeable, and well-respected by experts, having previously practiced as a medical professional.'

Richard Norton – St John’s Buildings 'He fights hard for his clients and gets the best results possible. Methodical and tactically astute. A delight to work with and always willing to go the extra mile and explain complex matters with simplicity.'

Michael Smith – Deans Court Chambers 'An excellent advocate and negotiator. He is passionate about his work, careful, thorough and approachable.'

Claire Steward – Kings Chambers 'Claire is always exceptionally well-prepared. She is approachable, accommodating, and communicative. She is intellectually gifted, but practical in her approach and client-friendly.'

Matthew Stockwell – Exchange Chambers 'Matthew is a calm and authoritative influence in complex matters. His knowledge of case law and procedure is up there with the very best, and he uses that to the strategic advantage of his clients.'

Jason Wells – Byrom Street Chambers 'Jason is a forthright advocate with great insight and understanding of the medical issues in any case.'

Jasmine Chan – Kings Chambers 'A very approachable junior who has a lovely way with clients.'

Louise Green – Kings Chambers 'Louise is thorough in her preparation, considered and careful. She has a superior grasp of strategy, and applies it in a practical manner.'

Philip Grundy – St John’s Buildings 'His assessment and analysis of medical expert reports is of an extremely high quality and he ensures he is always on hand to assist.'

Charlotte Law – Kings Chambers 'A very well-prepared barrister.'

Richard Livingston – Kings Chambers 'Richard is an incredible barrister, efficient and demonstrates huge empathy.'

Julie-Anne Luck – Nine Chambers 'Julie-Anne has an incredibly approachable nature and an ability to put clients absolutely at their ease whilst also providing excellent advice and written work. She is able to cut through complex legal and factual issues to reach sensible and practical solutions.'

Stephen Maguire – Kings Chambers

Sara Sutherland – Exchange Chambers 'She has a brilliant legal mind and her clinical analysis is outstanding.'

Christian Taylor – Exchange Chambers 'A master draftsman who can reduce the most complicated of clinical negligence cases to succinct and persuasive pleadings. Very approachable and easy to work with. Highly intelligent.'

Henry Vanderpump – St John’s Buildings 'An intelligent and hardworking barrister. Clients are very at ease with him.'

Alastair Wright – St John’s Buildings 'As an advocate he is calm, concise and controlled, and very well respected by the judiciary. It is always reassuring to have him by your side in court.'

Rising Stars

Oliver Carr – Deans Court Chambers 'Oliver is thorough, clear, engaging and a brave advocate.'

Rebecca Titus-Cobb – St John’s Buildings

Clinical negligence in Regional Bar

Tier 1 sets

Byrom Street Chambers

Byrom Street Chambers has an excellent reputation for its ‘wealth of experience and knowledge‘ and ‘real strength in depth‘ in the clinical negligence space. The group reports an increase in instructions arising from birth injury claims, and continues to advise on a wide range of complex, high-value cases involving brain injury and cerebral palsy claims. Head of chambers Christopher Melton KC has ‘vast knowledge of maximum severity clinical negligence cases, and is a fount of knowledge in birth injury claims‘. Deputy head of chambers Sally Hatfield KC predominantly acts for claimants in cauda equina, birth injury claims and wrongful birth claims. Jason Wells‘ ‘attention to detail in the field of clinical negligence is unparalleled‘.

Les références

‘The clerks at Byrom Street are incredibly responsive, efficient and helpful. Matt Tudor is an exceptional clerk.’

‘Matt Tudor is always willing to go above and beyond to help.’

‘The clerks at Byrom Street are second to none. Lucy Bardsley is excellent.’

Tier 2 sets

Exchange Chambers

Exchange Chambers is ‘a leading chambers for clinical negligence and has extensive strength in depth‘. David Knifton KC has ‘exceptional forensic rigour and a huge wealth of experience with clinical negligence catastrophic injury claims‘, and continues to act for claimants in obstetric negligence cases. Gerard Martin KC has extensive experience in advising on spinal cord and brain injury claims concerning both children and adults. Recent instructions for the group include the ‘stellar advocate‘ Chris Barnes KC advising on a wrongful birth claim. At the junior end of chambers, Chris Gutteridge specialises in cases concerning anaesthetic negligence, and the ‘very effective, analytical, balanced, and reasonable‘ Kevin Naylor is sought after by defendants and claimants for his specialist focus on clinical negligence claims. Bill Braithwaite KC retired from practice in March 2025.

Les références

‘The service provided by the clerks’ room is of exceptional quality. Sarah Rotherham and Rachel Williams are professional and effective in everything that they do.’

‘Sarah Rotherham and Leigh Daniels are very approachable and accommodating clerks. Their turnaround time is impressive.’

‘The clerks at Exchange are all brilliant. Sarah Rotherham has excelled in the business development role. Leigh Daniels and Olivia Cleere all offer a first class clerking service, without fail.’

Kings Chambers

Kings Chambers is praised as ‘a strong set of clinical negligence barristers‘. Nicholas Braslavsky KC is sought after by claimants and defendants in high-value clinical negligence cases arising from GP negligence claims, delayed and missed diagnoses and cosmetic treatments, to name a few areas. Sarah Pritchard KC continues to act for defendants in complex spinal injury, birth damage and surgical negligence claims. Helen Mulholland KC is ‘always well-prepared‘ and ‘a fighter in settlement meetings‘. Among the junior end of chambers, Charlotte Law predominantly handles claimant work arising from a wide range of clinical negligence matters, including surgical and dental negligence claims and failure to obtain informed consent, and Jasmine Chan has experience in advising on causation and quantum cases.

Les références

‘A well run and efficient clerking team. Stephen Loxton is particularly helpful.’

‘Stephen Loxton always goes out of his way to assist and provide a brilliant service.’

‘Stephen Loxton is very dependable. Quick to respond and keen to solve any issue.’

St John's Buildings

St John’s Buildings stands out for its ‘huge array of top quality clinical negligence barristers‘. Richard Norton is ‘a magnificent barrister‘ with an excellent track record in advising on surgical negligence and delayed diagnoses claims, as well as handling cases arising from negligent post-operative care. Daniel Kinnear is ‘a highly experienced clinical negligence practitioner with a unique knowledge of dental law‘. Henry Vanderpump‘s broad practice includes cauda equina cases, delayed cancer diagnoses and claims relating to mental health, and Philip Grundy is adept at advising on the full range of clinical negligence matters. Alastair Wright is often instructed in cases involving issues of informed consent.

Les références

‘Martin Craggs provides an excellent service.’

‘Chris Shaw and Martin Craggs are very efficient and friendly.’

‘Martin Craggs provides an excellent service and is very accommodating.’

Tier 3 sets

Nine Chambers

The clinical negligence team at Nine Chambers has a solid track record in acting for defendants and claimants in a wide spectrum of matters. Kirsty McKinlay ‘has impeccable instinct within negotiations and works hard to get the best result‘. Julie-Anne Luck is ‘very meticulous‘, and is very experienced in handling complex claims arising from delayed diagnosis cases. The ‘exceptional‘ Joseph Mulderig continues to advise on high-value birth and fatal injury claims.

Les références

‘Phillip Spencer is very helpful. Tony Morrissey is brilliant.’

‘Phillip Spencer is always efficient, courteous and responsive.’

‘Clerks are always on hand and keen to assist.’

Deans Court Chambers

At Deans Court Chambers, Michael Smith is sought after by claimants and defendants in complex cases regarding delayed cancer diagnoses, amputations and causation and quantum disputes, to name a few areas of instruction. Oliver Carr‘s broad practice takes in surgical negligence claims, delayed and missed diagnoses cases and birth-related claims. Stephen Grime KC retired from practice in March 2024.

Les références

‘The clerks are excellent, personable and cannot do enough for the instructing solicitors. Recognition should go to Peter Conwell for always being there to assist.’

‘Peter Conwell is without fault, he is always happy to provide assistance with a case.’

‘The clerks are helpful and often have counsel readily available to assist, sometimes at short notice. They are approachable and offer value for money.’

Classements par PratiqueRegional Bar