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Index of tables

  1. Clinical negligence and healthcare: Leading Sets
  2. Clinical negligence and healthcare – Leading Silks
  3. Clinical negligence and healthcare – New Silks
  4. Clinical negligence and healthcare – Leading Juniors

Clinical negligence and healthcare – Leading Silks

Clinical negligence and healthcare – New Silks

Clinical negligence and healthcare – Leading Juniors

One Crown Office Row is ‘one of the pre-eminent clinical negligence sets’, with ‘extremely capable barristers at every level’. It is highly praised for its ‘helpful clerks’ and its ‘large number of experienced and good quality counsel’. James Badenoch QC is ‘in a class of his own’, Philip Havers QC is ‘absolutely excellent’, Paul Rees QC, hailed as ‘one of the best clinical negligence QCs’ is ‘a great brain, who sees the bigger picture and is always well prepared’. Elizabeth-Anne Gumbel QC is a ‘phenomenal, standout performer’. Terence Coghlan QC is ‘really very good’. Margaret Bowron QC is ‘exceptionally user-friendly’ and is a ‘solid and sound negotiator’. Kieran Coonan QC is ‘rated highly’. Christina Lambert QC and Philippa Whipple QC are also recommended. Juniors include John Gimlette, Henry Witcomb, Richard Booth, Caroline Neenan, Rachel Marcus, Adam Wagner, and ‘superb barristerDavid Evans. Richard Mumford is ‘approachable and capable with good tactical judgement’, and Judith Rogerson has ‘good technical knowledge and the ability to convey it’. Richard Smith and Caroline Cross are ones to watch.

3 Serjeants’ Inn is ‘an excellent set for clinical negligence work’ where ‘the calibre of counsel goes from strength to strength’. Star performers include Adrian Hopkins QC, who is ‘at the top of his field’ and ‘quite simply one of the best silks in the country’. Robert Francis QC is also recommended, along with James Watson QC. New silk Christopher Johnston QC’s ‘pleadings and conferences are always astonishingly well prepared; he rigorously addresses every single detail and you can always be completely confident in his judgement’. The set’s ‘exceptional juniors’ include Fiona Neale, who is ‘robust and analytical and doesn ’t shy away from tackling complex issues effectively and pragmatically’, and Michael Mylonas, ‘always the first choice where you have a case which is dominated by complicated medicine’. Nicholas Mullany is ‘demanding of those who instruct him; this reflects his commitment to the case and clients’; and Ranald Davidson has ‘an excellent grasp of medical as well as legal issues’, and is ‘excellent with clients’. Clodagh Bradley’is a fighter, with a robust and incisive courtroom style’, and John De Bono is ‘very helpful in complex medical cases’. Briony Ballard is ‘very measured with good advocacy skills’, and ‘clearly enjoys being in the court room’.

7 Bedford Row has ‘an established clinical negligence practice with some big hitters’. Simeon Maskrey QC is ‘simply loved by clients’ and has ‘an exceptional combination of client care qualities and razor-sharp forensic examination and assessment skills’. Nigel Godsmark QC is ‘a thorough and deep thinker’ who is ‘not afraid to take untested points of the law to the higher courts’. Top-rated juniors include the ‘outstandingJulian Matthews, and Jeremy Pendlebury, who ‘impresses with his dedication’ and ‘leaves no stone unturned’. Richard Baker is ‘streets ahead of most others at his level of call’ and is noted for his sensitivity and ability to deal with bereaved clients. Leslie Keegan is ‘particularly knowledgeable on quantum issues’, and Dr Peter Ellis’ ‘medical background is a great asset’. Simon Wheatley’s ‘friendly manner’ makes him ‘a delight to work with’.

1 Chancery Lane is ‘a strong set with excellent clerking’ and the capacity to ‘meet all clinical negligence needs’. In particular, head clerk Clark Chassis is ‘immensely understanding and accommodating’. Lord Faulks QC is ‘a renowned performer’ who has a ‘thorough and penetrating legal mind combined with an approachable and charming manner’, and Simon Readhead QC is ‘a very astute and clever counsel’ who ‘continues to be a superstar’. New silk Edward Bishop QC is ‘a good all-rounder’ and ‘adored by clients’. Recommended juniors include the ‘approachableDr David Thomson, whose medical background is ‘invaluable’, and the ‘utterly committedSophie Mortimer. Simon Trigger gives ‘consistently reliable advice’, and Nicholas Yell is ‘an excellent advocate’.

Crown Office Chambers is a ‘very good set’ and ‘well balanced’, offering a broad range of expertise levels. In the clinical negligence arena, standout performers include Dennis Matthews, who ‘knows the subject area very well’, and Gordon Catford, who is ‘always well prepared’ and ‘good with clients’. Toby Gee is highly praised for his ‘incisive mind’ and ‘tremendous attention to detail’, and Alexander Antelme and Claire Toogood are ‘both incredibly bright’.

At Hailsham Chambers, Martin Spencer QC is ‘one of the most user-friendly silks on the clinical negligence circuit’, and is ‘enthusiastic, helpful and extremely thorough, with excellent interpersonal skills’. Dr Tejina Mangat is ‘a very solid performer’ and ‘her medical qualification is a considerable asset’. Andrew Post wins plaudits for his ‘admirable attention to detail’ and ‘fighting streak’. Jane Tracy Forster is also considered among the top-rated juniors in this field. Alexander Hutton is ‘a real star of the future’ who is ‘bright, hardworking and extremely knowledgeable on medicine’; with him, ‘a first-class job is guaranteed’. Clare Price, Derek Holwill and Nicholas Peacock are also recommended.

Outer Temple Chambers has ‘a good range of expertise among counsel, from top-ranking silks down to some promising juniors’. At the top end of the spectrum, former head of chambers Christopher Wilson-Smith QC is ‘exceptional’, and ‘standout barristerDavid Westcott QC is described by one solicitor as ‘one of the sharpest minds I have come across, yet he does not let his intellect stop him being personable and approachable’. Highly rated juniors include Harry Trusted, for his ‘intellectual grasp of complex legal issues’, and Alison McCormick, who is ‘extremely helpful and approachable’ and has ‘great empathy for clients’. Caroline Hallissey is ‘a breath of fresh air’ and ‘exceptional at testing medical experts ’ opinions’; Rachel Vickers is ‘thorough, easily accessible and great with clients’; and Eliot Woolf is ‘a hit with clients and experts alike’ and ‘very good on detail and preparation’. Cara Guthrie is ‘a pleasure to work with’; she is ‘excellent with figures and has a strong grasp of relevant legal principles’. Also recommended are Nathan Tavares, for his ability to ‘tackle difficult issues head on’, and Harriet Jerram, for her ‘reassuring style and presence’.

2 Temple Gardens is ‘a highly reputable set’ where ‘the overall level of service is very good’. Michael de Navarro QC’s ‘vast experience’ means he is ‘fantastic for complex cases involving large numbers of experts and witnesses’, and Benjamin Browne QC is rated highly for his ‘authoritative yet calm and pleasant manner’. Sarah Vaughn Jones QC is ‘incisive and user friendly’. Of the juniors, Caroline Harrison has ‘a substantial track record’, and is praised for her ‘superb intellectual and personal qualities’ and ‘meticulous paperwork’.

Cloisters wins rave reviews for its ‘impressive collection of barristers’ encompassing ‘a lot of knowledge, both legal and medical’. Practice head Simon Taylor QC is ‘an impressive leader’ who ‘operates at the highest level’, and Patricia Hitchcock QC is ‘meticulous in exploring every angle’ and has ‘superb command of the law’. New silk Joel Donovan QCinspires confidence’. Of the juniors, William Latimer-Sayer receives numerous accolades for his ‘tremendous mastery of quantum issues’, and Simon Dyeris thorough and precise’ with ‘a very good manner with clients’. Martyn McLeish has ‘a very reassuring clear structure to his approach’. Up-and-comers include the ‘analyticalHannah Godfrey.

Devereux continues to strengthen its position in clinical negligence, as ‘a niche set that is particularly adept at brain and spinal injury work’. Robert Glancy QC has ‘a fantastic mind’ and is commended for his ability in handling complex medical issues. Robert Weir QC is ‘enormously talented’ and ‘intellectually outstanding’. Standout juniors include Richard Cartwright, described as ‘brilliant counsel to work with’ and ‘a real team player who adds value with and without silk’.

Doughty Street Chambers provides ‘a consistently excellent service’, and its clerking is ‘flexible and responsive’. Robin Oppenheim QC is held in very high regard and is ‘a great asset to the set’, with ‘never-ending energy to explore all avenues of a claim’. Christopher Hough is of a similar ilk, ‘an excellent barrister who has many years of experience and much common sense’. Paula Sparks is ‘very able and extremely thorough’, and Daniel Bennett has ‘a good style with clients’.

9 Gough Square is popular due to its ‘forward-looking’ and ‘commercial’ approach. Standout silks include ‘exceptional all-rounderGrahame Aldous QC. Christopher Stephenson is ‘popular with clients’ and ‘very good on procedure’. Laura Begley is also recommended, for her ‘clear advice’.

At Old Square Chambers, ‘a highly specialist service is consistently experienced’. David Wilby QC is noted for his experience in high-value claims. The set has particular expertise in brain damage and cerebral palsy claims.

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