The Legal 500

United Kingdom > Regional Bar > Western Circuit > Personal injury and clinical negligence

Editorial sections

Other

All countries

Guildhall Chambers’ clerks ‘always “bend over backwards” to assist’. James Townsend has a ‘marvellously understated approach’ and is ‘a consummate advocate’. Selena Plowden ‘emanates an aura of intellect and confidence’, and ‘always adopts a sensible and pragmatic approach’. Julian Benson is highly rated for complex PI matters. Practice head Gabriel Farmer is a ‘good tactician, highly effective negotiator and ultimately the advocate you want on your side’. Anthony Reddiford is ‘always calm and collected, presents arguments well, and is very approachable’. John Snell ‘thinks about things from all angles (and from both a claimant and defendant perspective) so that he gives a well thought out and balanced view at all times ’. The team was enhanced by the arrival of Robert Sowersby, who exhibits ‘a ruthless professionalism in court’, provides advice that is ‘to the point and easy to understand’, and is ‘superb with experts’. Abigail Stamp’s ‘greatest asset is that she is an “all-rounder”’; she is ‘very methodical in her analysis and extremely personable’. Adrian Palmer QC is ‘one of the best personal injury silks with a sound understanding of the most complex of claims’, and Adam Chippindall is ‘a tremendous advocate’.

St John’s Chambers’ practice head Glyn Edwards is ‘among the best senior juniors for PI work’, whose ‘unstuffy approach helps him communicate appropriately with clients’. Claimant-focused Timothy Grice handles high-value catastrophic injury and complex clinical negligence cases, and is ‘excellent with technical special damage claims’. Richard Stead specialises in brain and spinal injury claims, and is an equine and Animal Act expert. Andrew McLaughlin is ‘very enthusiastic, committed and demonstrates excellent knowledge of the subject area’. Anna Symington is ‘technically very good’, and is noted for her civil fraud expertise. Christopher Sharp QC is also highly rated for complex brain and spinal injury cases.

Queen Square Chambers’ Christopher Taylor has ‘good knowledge of catastrophic injury cases’, and is ‘authoritative but has an easy manner’. Rebecca Dennis ‘applies legal principles with an eye on the practicalities of litigation’.

Old Square Chambers’ Christopher Walker is a ‘tenacious advocate and a shrewd negotiator’. Andreá Risoli ‘fights until the job really is done to the highest standard possible’. David Rivers is an ‘excellent costs advocate’. Toby Kempster and Jonathan Clarke are also recommended.

Doughty Street Chambers’ Daniel Bennett has a niche practice in hospital-acquired infections, and David Haines, who has recently joined the set from Pendragon Chambers, has a background in medicine and is recommended for PI matters.

Rougemont Chambers’ Dr David Thomas handles PI, clinical negligence, inquest and shaken baby syndrome cases.

No5 Chambers’ Dr Simon Fox has the ‘ability to cut through the issues in complicated cases’, and is a ‘clinical negligence specialist who impresses’. Chris Bright QC is a ‘first-class advocate’ who produces ‘coherent case plans’.

At 3PB, Mark Lomas and Cyrus Katrak are recommended for PI matters, and Richard Tyson handles top-end PI work in addition to prosecuting doctors for professional negligence.

At Devon Chambers, Stuart Frampton’s personal injury practice has an employers’ liability slant.

Search News and Articles

Press releases

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Legal Developments in the UK

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

  • COUNCIL TAX

    In Harrow LBC v Ayiku [2012] EWHC 1200 (Admin) Sales J held that the word “or” in the Council Tax (Exempt Dwellings) Order 1992, art 3 Class N, had a disjunctive meaning, therefore it was sufficient for the non-British spouse of a foreign student to satisfy one or other of the two conditions, namely being prevented from taking paid employment or being prevented from claiming benefits, in order to qualify as a “relevant person” who was exempted from liability to pay council tax.
    - 11KBW

  • QUEEN’S SPEECH

    Bills already introduced pursuant to the Queen’s Speech on 9 May 2012 include Local Government Finance Bill and Electoral Registration and Administration Bill, both accompanied by Explanatory Notes, which in each case address ECHR compatibility.
    - 11KBW

  • Standards

    In R (Calver) v Adjudication Panel for Wales [2012] EWHC 1172 (Admin) Mr Calver was a member of Manorbier Community Council who successfully challenged the decision of the Panel to dismiss his appeal against a decision by Prembrokeshire County Council Standards Committee censuring him for a number of comments or blogs posted by him on a website he owned and controlled.
    - 11KBW

  • A justified retrospective

    Clive Sheldon - QC debates the pros & cons of retrospective tax legislation
    - 11KBW

  • Public Sector Equality Duty (“PSED”)

    In R (Greenwich Community Law Centre) v Greenwich LBC [2012] EWCA Civ 496 the Court of Appeal held that the Council had had “due regard to the PSED when making changes to its funding of community legal advice services”. At para 30 Elias LJ said:
    - 11KBW

  • Public Sector Equality Duty

    Surrey County Council conducted a review of its Library Service. This culminated in a Report to the Council’s Cabinet. The Recommendations in the Report included that there should be consultation about a community-partnership approach at selected Libraries.
    - 11KBW

  • Judicial Review

    The Judgment of Lindblom J in The Manydown Co Ltd v Basingstoke and Deane BC [2012] EWHC 977 (Admin) repays attention. The Claimant sought to challenge by judicial review 2 decisions of the Council: (1) the Council’s refusal to reconsider its position on the development of a site that it owns (and is the subject matter of a Joint Development Partnership Agreement with the Claimant); and (2) a decision of the Council’s Cabinet approving a selection of sites for development which did not include this site.
    - 11KBW

  • The Health and Social Care Act 2012: impact on adult social services

    After its torrid passage through Parliament, the Health and Social Care Bill received Royal Assent on 27 March 2012. The Act deals principally with healthcare reform, but it also contains some amendments to the legislative framework for social care. It will come into force on a day yet to be appointed by the Secretary of State.
    - 11KBW

  • Immigration update May 2012

    In this issue:
    - Penningtons Solicitors LLP

  • Premium service for tier 2 and 5 sponsors to be launched

    A premium service for sponsors will be launched by the UKBA on 6 April 2012. The service is designed specifically for companies that sponsor international employees under tier 2 and 5 of the points based system and aims to provide them with enhanced support.
    - Penningtons Solicitors LLP

Press Releases in the UK

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to
© 2012 www.legal500.com