Rachel Russell > Chambers of Matthew White > Bristol, England > Barrister Profile

Rachel Russell

0117 923 4700 rachel.russell@stjohnschambers.co.uk

Work Department

Head of Personal Injury

Career

Call : 2001

Rachel is Head of Personal Injury, and highly respected both in Chambers and on circuit. She was recently appointed Recorder on the Western Circuit sitting in the civil jurisdiction. Rachel has gained a reputation for her robust advocacy, well-reasoned but no nonsense approach to complicated issues, and her friendly manner with clients.

She has 20 years’ experience of personal injury cases, acting for both claimants and defendants with extensive expertise in claims concerning catastrophic injuries of the utmost severity. She is currently instructed as junior counsel to Christopher Sharp KC in a particularly complex traumatic brain injury case.  Rachel’s regular clients include national insurers and top-tier claimant firms, as well as numerous local authorities throughout England and Wales.

Rachel also has considerable experience in dealing with ‘disease’ and occupational illness litigation ranging from noise induced hearing loss cases, to mesothelioma and stress at work.  She regularly advises and appears in trials on such cases, dealing with broad ranging issues from breach of duty to causation and limitation. She often deals with cases concerning accidents involving animals.  Her particular interest is in equine cases, but she regularly advised and represents clients in cases concerning all types of animal.

She frequently appears at Inquests often representing care homes, insurers, hospitals, police forces and the families of bereaved, and has been instructed in a number of high-profile inquests which have attracted national press coverage.

Memberships

• Personal Injury Bar Association
• Employment Law Bar Association

Education

University of Oxford (MA); Gray’s Inn David Karmel scholar.