The ‘brilliant set of counsel’ at 1 Crown Office Row cover claims concerning health care in England and Wales and beyond. A strong track record in multi-party claims, such as the Ian Paterson scandal and mesh litigation, are characteristic of the set. Elizabeth-Anne Gumbel KC has notable experience in birth injury cases, including CDE v Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, in which the claimant, born by caesarean section, suffered hypoxic ischaemia. Philip Havers KC also has experience in this area, as does John Whitting KC whose recent case of Yapp v Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust raises issues regarding whether compensation should persist after the death of the claimant parents and for the lifetime of the child. The set also has expertise in international cases, advising on litigation in Jersey, Hong Kong and other jurisdictions.
Clinical negligence in
London Bar
1 Crown Office Row
Testimonials
The clerks at 1 Crown Office Row are outstanding. John Mclaren and Andy Tull couldn’t do more to help. Chloe Turvill is also a rising star.’
‘This is a brilliant set of Counsel. You know that instructing any counsel from this set means that you will have a barrister who is extremely talented and knowledgeable’
‘1 Crown Office Row is superb, you are always in trusted hands even if not used the barrister before as the clerks excel at their job. ‘
‘The clerks are fantastic. They are very helpful, accommodating and easy to deal with. They will always find a way to squeeze in a conference or inquest in a barrister’s very busy diary.’
‘The clerks are excellent. Professional, approachable and will always be willing to help.’
Work highlights
7BR
7BR‘s ‘leading silks’ and members of ‘strength at all levels of call‘ act for a range of claimant and defendant firms in high-profile cases concerning a range of medically complex issues, and offer expertise in all forms of alternative dispute resolution. Simeon Maskrey KC is currently instructed on behalf of the NHS to represent them on claims brought as a result of the COVID pandemic; in addition he has continuing involvement in the Paul, Polmear and Purchase conjoined appeals concerning the recoverability of damages by secondary victims of clinical negligence, specifically when they witness the death of a loved one – leading the appeal to the Supreme Court re-evaluating a line of case law stemming from the Hillsborough disaster. Hugh Preston KC recently led the TVT/TOT/TVM mesh implant litigation, concerning consent issues around mesh implantation, and has notable experience of complex birth injury claims. Birth injury claims are also an area of expertise for Richard Baker KC, who was elevated to silk in March 2023. Kate Lumbers also has particular expertise in claims in the obstetric arena.
Testimonials
‘Paul Eeles is fantastic. Some of the newer junior clerks such as Max Wright are also brilliant and happy to help.’
‘7BR are a fantastic set. They have leading silks and strength at all levels of call.’
‘Excellent set. Very experienced and approachable counsel in clinical negligence.’
‘The clerks don’t just know their barristers or the simplicity of what a case needs, they know what a case needs just as much as the lawyer does. That level of understanding and training means you get the right fit for the job every time.’
‘The clerks are fantastic. They really go above and beyond to ensure their solicitors and clients’ needs are met, and offer outstanding customer service. Could not recommend them strongly enough!’
Work highlights
Cloisters
Cloisters are ‘an excellent chambers for clinical negligence work‘, with ‘an excellent reputation with significant strength in depth‘. Simon Taylor KC ‘s priorv experience as a doctor supports his expertise in difficult medical issues; Joel Donovan KC has particular experience with severe brain injury and cauda equina cases. William Latimer-Sayer KC is recommended for ‘quantum advice of the highest standard’, acting on complex, high-value matters. Notably, he recently led junior Sarah Fraser Butlin KC in HMA v Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, a case concerning a 13 year old boy who sustained a severe brain injury following surgery, leading to cerebral palsy and learning difficulties – a case involving disputed liability and complex quantum concerns. Junior Chesca Lord specialises in quantum-only cases, including those involving traumatic brain injuries.
Testimonials
‘Frankie Beale is very helpful and approachable’
‘Cloisters have good strength in depth at junior level. Members of chambers have excellent and wide ranging experience in clinical negligence litigation.’
‘An excellent chambers for clinical negligence work with a variety of counsel at different levels available.’
‘Good strength and depth in Clinical Negligence work, with a good mix of junior and senior counsel.’
‘They have an excellent reputation with significant strength in depth.’
‘The clerks at Cloisters are efficient and responsive.’
Work highlights
Hailsham Chambers
The ‘first-class’ clinical negligence barristers at Hailsham Chambers are ‘experts in their field’, acting for claimants and defendants. The set also has professional negligence and inquest practices, and members are experienced in mediation. Alexander Hutton KC was recently involved in the case of HM v Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust – acting for the trust in an claim against them involving complications in an operation which led to brain damage. Tejina Mangat has experience in maximum severity injury cases, with significant medical expertise; Jane Tracy Forster has substantial experience in birth asphyxia claims, including claims involving cerebral palsy.
Testimonials
‘Michael Kilbey is excellent.’
‘An excellent clinical negligence set with strength in depth at all levels.’
‘An excellent set of chambers with some first-class barristers who are experts in their field and a real pleasure to work with.’
‘The clerks always provide a friendly, efficient and responsive service.’
‘The clerks are the backbone of Hailsham. Enquiries are always dealt with swiftly and expertly. The team are approachable and knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with. You know you are in safe hands with the clerks at Hailsham.’
Work highlights
Serjeants' Inn Chambers
Serjeants’ Inn Chambers is ‘a very experienced set with expertise across the board‘, noted for their ‘depth of knowledge’. John De Bono KC acts for both claimants and defendants, a recent notable case being CNZ v Bath, a successful obstetric liability trial involving the acute hypoxic brain injury of a claimant in his mid-twenties – the case applying the 2015 Mongomery v Lanarkshire Health Board decision on informed consent to care in 1986. Eloise Power has a notable specialism in gynaecological matters. Neil Davy KC was appointed to silk in March 2023 - he handled Hughes v Rattan, in which the Court of Appeal determined that practice owners, despite owing a non-delegable duty of care in respect of associate dentists, are not vicariously liable for their actions.
Testimonials
‘The Clerks are great, from Lee Johnson, senior clerk, down. Very quick, efficient and easy to deal with.’
‘Serjeants Inn are quite simply the best set for advice on medical negligence. Their depth of knowledge is without equal.’
‘The clerks are brilliant at accommodating their clients, always going the extra mile. Lee Johnson, Clare Sabido and Jennifer Pooler are all very helpful. They are responsive, prompt, efficient and helpful. A real joy to work with.’
‘Helpful and a pleasure to work with. Josie Ryan in particular has been great – very efficient and prompt to deal with any queries.’
‘A very experienced set with expertise across the board, and able to offer excellent counsel suitable for a wide range of cases.’
Work highlights
2 Temple Gardens
2 Temple Gardens ‘have an impressive collection of juniors and silks‘, offering both ‘both experience and some very talented up and coming barristers‘. The set has particular experience in cross-border, multi-jurisdictional work: this year, Roger Harris, Charles Dougherty KC, Benjamin Phelps, Niazi Fetto KC and Andrew Bershadski were all involved in the case of Roberts v Various Defendants in the Supreme Court, in which the claimant, a child of a British soldier serving in Germany whose mother received care by British midwives working with German doctors, was born in a German hospital in 2000 with cerebral palsy as a result of allegedly negligent treatment; the case brings up issues relating to jurisdiction and vicarious liability. Niazi Fetto KC took silk in March 2023, and Harry Trusted joined the set from Outer Temple Chambers in January 2023.
Testimonials
‘Consistently excellent clerking team led by Lee Tyler.’
‘Lee Tyler is an exceptional head clerk and his guidance reflects well on his juniors.’
‘Very professional clerks room. Billy Hammonds in particular balances friendliness with excellence – nothing is too much trouble.’
‘2 Temple Gardens have an impressive collection of juniors and silks, offering consistent quality.’
‘2 Temple Gardens are a “go to” chambers. They have both experience and some very talented up and coming barristers.’
Work highlights
39 Essex Chambers
‘Exceptional set of chambers’ 39 Essex Chambers offers expertise on a range of clinical negligence claims to clients from NHS Resolution to injured claimants. Nicola Greaney KC took silk in 2023, notably this year acting in a case in which a claimant with pre-existing psychiatric vulnerability developed complex PTSD from a non-consensual vaginal examination during childbirth. Neil Block KC has specialist experience in group claims, representing NHS Resolution in the ongoing vaginal mesh litigation, and leading Nicola Greaney KC in the Lariam group claims, in which soldiers are bringing claims of psychiatric and neuropsychiatric injury against the Ministry of Defence following the prescription of the anti-malarial also known by its generic name mefloquine– this case raises issues of Montgomery consent as well as complex medical causation.
Testimonials
‘Excellent clerking, very helpful and pragmatic.’
‘The clerks are fantastic. Always on hand to help and provide information quickly and efficiently.’
‘Superb clerking. Approachable, friendly, solution driven and satisfaction focused.’
’39 Essex are a great set, with huge variety of barristers across a range of expertise.’
’39 Essex is an exceptional set of Chambers. Great strength in depth and easy to engage with.’
Work highlights
Deka Chambers
Launched in October 2022 by the merger of 9 Gough Chambers and 1 Chancery Lane, Deka Chambers ‘has huge strength-in-depth from its silks to its juniors’ – bringing together the claimant and defendant-side strengths of both sets. Edward Bishop KC has notable experience in birth injury claims - he acted for the defendant in ZXB v UCL Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, a maximum severity birth injury claim involving issues of breach of duty, causation and material contribution. Laura Johnson KC has involvement in the case of Paul v Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, representing the claimants whose father died following negligent failure to identify his heart problems – the cases touching on issues of case law, dating back to the wake of the Hillsborough disaster, on psychiatric injuries caused by witnessing injuries caused by negligence. Simon Readhead KC specialises in claims involving catastrophic neurological injuries, and turning to the set's juniors Laura Begley is a nother notable name, with experience in claims from negligent spinal surgery to injuries in vulnerable clients with pre-existing issues.
Testimonials
‘The clerks are great to deal with. Michael Goodridge is particularly helpful and always on the ball.’
‘The clerks room is excellent, brilliantly led by Michael Goodridge. Ellie Brand is also absolutely excellent.’
‘Deka Chambers has a plethora of knowledgeable barristers covering a wide range of case types/issues. There is always somebody that can help.’
‘Deka Chambers has huge strength-in-depth from its silks to its juniors. They are helpful and happy to contribute to discussion and training and to share helpful tips on cases.’
‘Exceptional clerks – the best in the business.’
Work highlights
Crown Office Chambers
Crown Office Chambers is ‘full of excellent counsel from the most senior to the most junior’, including expert Alexander Antelme KC, who is currently involved on behalf of a surgeon accused of negligence in the conduct of rectal surgery, involving extensive regulatory investigation. Notably, Charlotte Jones is led in acting for the defendants in Paul, Polmear and Purchase v Royal Wolverhampton Hospital NHS Trust, a case raising complex issues of liability for injuries to secondary victims - those who suffer psychiatric injuries as a result of witnessing injuries caused by negligence. Claire Toogood KC is recognised for her strength in claims involving complex medical issues.
Testimonials
‘Greg Frewin knows the strength and qualities of all the Counsel inside out and can always be relied upon to recommend the best Counsel for the job.’
‘The Clerks and administration is particularly strong with the likes of Lisa Searle and Connor Thomas offering excellent support.’
‘The Clerks are friendly, helpful and accommodating and offer a high level of service.’
‘The Chambers are and always have been full of excellent Counsel from the most senior to the most junior.’
‘Crown Office Chambers is a ‘go to’ Chambers, providing a consistently high level of service.’
Outer Temple Chambers
Outer Temple Chambers has ‘good strength in depth at both silk and junior level’ in the clinical negligence space. Eliot Woolf KC has a notable specialism in wrongful birth cases, while Nathan Tavares is acting in the Lariam claimants v Ministry of Defence claim, concerning military personnel who suffered long-term psychiatric symptoms after being negligently prescribed an anti-malarial drug. Junior Tom Gibson appeared in the Purchase v Dr Ahmed claim, one of the three secondary victim conjoined appeals concerning psychiatric injury to those who have witnessed the death of a loved one due to negligence, which progressed to the Supreme Court in May 2023, he has additional strength in sports-related clinical negligence cases.
Testimonials
‘Paul Barton is an outstanding clerk, always finding solutions to any issues which arise.’
‘The clerking team within chambers is very efficient, responsive and offer excellent client care. Paul Barton in particular goes out of his way to service clients.’
‘The clerking service is second-to-none. Paul Barton and Mark Gardner, in particular, deserve special mention for being approachable, knowledgeable, personable and highly efficient.’
‘Outer Temple Chambers have good strength in depth at both silk and junior level. The chambers have particular expertise in high value and complex clinical negligence litigation and cross-border claims.’
‘Outer Temple Chambers have one of the leading clinical negligence sets in the country with a wide range of counsel at different levels of qualification. Across the board, the barristers are personable, accessible and easy to work with.’
Work highlights
12 King's Bench Walk
12 King’s Bench Walk has a ‘huge breadth of talent at all levels of experience’, with ‘very capable barristers’ including William Audland KC, who has notable expertise regarding spinal injury – including leading junior Isaac Hogarth in the case of Ellis v Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, concluded late 2022, a case involving negligent diagnosis and treatment of a spinal epidural abscess leading to incomplete paraplegia, in which £3m was secured for a claimant after extensive collaborative efforts due to questions around how appropriate an award for provisional damages would be in the event that the claimant’s neurological condition deteriorated as a result of adjacent segment disease.
Testimonials
’12KBW have a very good clerking team led by Oliver Parkhouse. George Boggis is an excellent clerk and is always very responsive and helpful.’
‘George Boggis is stand-out. He is always incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. I would not hesitate in recommending 12KBW.’
‘A strong set all round with very capable barristers.’
‘Huge breadth of talent at all levels of experience.’
’12KBW are an excellent set. The standard of knowledge, work done and advocacy is very high. You know you are in safe hands with them.’
‘The clerks are exceptionally strong, quick and helpful and know which barrister to recommend for which case.’
Work highlights
Devereux
Devereux is ‘an excellent set‘, acting on all aspects of clinical negligence, with particular expertise in high-value claims. Robert Weir KC is ‘a force to be reckoned with‘, notably acting this year for the claimants in the highly anticipated case of Paul and Paul v Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, heard in the Supreme Court in May 2023, determining whether family members who witness the death of a patient long after negligent treatment are able to make secondary victim claims. Robert Glancy KC has particular expertise in catastrophic brain and spinal injury cases, and notable experience in cases involving cerebral palsy. ‘Fantastic, first-rate senior barrister‘ Richard Cartwright has notable expertise in birth trauma claims, including Erb’s palsy.
Testimonials
‘Excellent set, great silks as well as a crop of juniors and senior juniors who are consistently good.’
‘Exceptional clerks who want to do the best by their clients.’
‘They have the best clerking team in the Temple. James Hudson, Chris Downes and Cyrus Biggs are all fantastic.’
‘Best clerks room at the Bar. Chris Downes, Cyrus Biggs and James Hudson are outstanding. Nothing is too much trouble, they maintain communication and follow up without prompting.’
Work highlights
Old Square Chambers
Old Square Chambers‘ clinical negligence team of ‘excellent barristers‘ work with both claimants and defendants in claims across a range of healthcare issues. Ben Collins KC has notable experience in dental negligence litigation, and international law issues: recently acting in a multi-defendant claim arising out of negligent weight loss surgery performed in Italy after consultation in England. Junior Bella Webb has extensive experience in complex delay in cancer diagnosis cases, Sophie Beesley has ‘developed an outstanding practice in claimant clinical negligence work’.
Testimonials
‘The clerks Will Meade and Joe Kallas are both top level clerks. Their client care is excellent and they are a pleasure to work with.’
‘Old Square Chambers would always be my first choice of chambers. Their service is excellent and nothing is too much trouble.’
‘They are a first rate set with a number of excellent barristers and most importantly have an excellent clerking team.’
‘The Chambers have always been very helpful and accommodating.’
‘The clerks are brilliant. They are always friendly and ready to help with any problem. They respond quickly to queries and make sure that deadlines are met.’
Work highlights
1 Crown Office Row
Testimonials
The clerks at 1 Crown Office Row are outstanding. John Mclaren and Andy Tull couldn’t do more to help. Chloe Turvill is also a rising star.’
‘This is a brilliant set of Counsel. You know that instructing any counsel from this set means that you will have a barrister who is extremely talented and knowledgeable’
‘1 Crown Office Row is superb, you are always in trusted hands even if not used the barrister before as the clerks excel at their job. ‘
‘The clerks are fantastic. They are very helpful, accommodating and easy to deal with. They will always find a way to squeeze in a conference or inquest in a barrister’s very busy diary.’
‘The clerks are excellent. Professional, approachable and will always be willing to help.’
Work highlights
7BR
7BR‘s ‘leading silks’ and members of ‘strength at all levels of call‘ act for a range of claimant and defendant firms in high-profile cases concerning a range of medically complex issues, and offer expertise in all forms of alternative dispute resolution. Simeon Maskrey KC is currently instructed on behalf of the NHS to represent them on claims brought as a result of the COVID pandemic; in addition he has continuing involvement in the Paul, Polmear and Purchase conjoined appeals concerning the recoverability of damages by secondary victims of clinical negligence, specifically when they witness the death of a loved one – leading the appeal to the Supreme Court re-evaluating a line of case law stemming from the Hillsborough disaster. Hugh Preston KC recently led the TVT/TOT/TVM mesh implant litigation, concerning consent issues around mesh implantation, and has notable experience of complex birth injury claims. Birth injury claims are also an area of expertise for Richard Baker KC, who was elevated to silk in March 2023. Kate Lumbers also has particular expertise in claims in the obstetric arena.
Testimonials
‘Paul Eeles is fantastic. Some of the newer junior clerks such as Max Wright are also brilliant and happy to help.’
‘7BR are a fantastic set. They have leading silks and strength at all levels of call.’
‘Excellent set. Very experienced and approachable counsel in clinical negligence.’
‘The clerks don’t just know their barristers or the simplicity of what a case needs, they know what a case needs just as much as the lawyer does. That level of understanding and training means you get the right fit for the job every time.’
‘The clerks are fantastic. They really go above and beyond to ensure their solicitors and clients’ needs are met, and offer outstanding customer service. Could not recommend them strongly enough!’
Work highlights
Cloisters
Cloisters are ‘an excellent chambers for clinical negligence work‘, with ‘an excellent reputation with significant strength in depth‘. Simon Taylor KC ‘s priorv experience as a doctor supports his expertise in difficult medical issues; Joel Donovan KC has particular experience with severe brain injury and cauda equina cases. William Latimer-Sayer KC is recommended for ‘quantum advice of the highest standard’, acting on complex, high-value matters. Notably, he recently led junior Sarah Fraser Butlin KC in HMA v Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, a case concerning a 13 year old boy who sustained a severe brain injury following surgery, leading to cerebral palsy and learning difficulties – a case involving disputed liability and complex quantum concerns. Junior Chesca Lord specialises in quantum-only cases, including those involving traumatic brain injuries.
Testimonials
‘Frankie Beale is very helpful and approachable’
‘Cloisters have good strength in depth at junior level. Members of chambers have excellent and wide ranging experience in clinical negligence litigation.’
‘An excellent chambers for clinical negligence work with a variety of counsel at different levels available.’
‘Good strength and depth in Clinical Negligence work, with a good mix of junior and senior counsel.’
‘They have an excellent reputation with significant strength in depth.’
‘The clerks at Cloisters are efficient and responsive.’
Work highlights
Hailsham Chambers
The ‘first-class’ clinical negligence barristers at Hailsham Chambers are ‘experts in their field’, acting for claimants and defendants. The set also has professional negligence and inquest practices, and members are experienced in mediation. Alexander Hutton KC was recently involved in the case of HM v Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust – acting for the trust in an claim against them involving complications in an operation which led to brain damage. Tejina Mangat has experience in maximum severity injury cases, with significant medical expertise; Jane Tracy Forster has substantial experience in birth asphyxia claims, including claims involving cerebral palsy.
Testimonials
‘Michael Kilbey is excellent.’
‘An excellent clinical negligence set with strength in depth at all levels.’
‘An excellent set of chambers with some first-class barristers who are experts in their field and a real pleasure to work with.’
‘The clerks always provide a friendly, efficient and responsive service.’
‘The clerks are the backbone of Hailsham. Enquiries are always dealt with swiftly and expertly. The team are approachable and knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with. You know you are in safe hands with the clerks at Hailsham.’
Work highlights
Serjeants' Inn Chambers
Serjeants’ Inn Chambers is ‘a very experienced set with expertise across the board‘, noted for their ‘depth of knowledge’. John De Bono KC acts for both claimants and defendants, a recent notable case being CNZ v Bath, a successful obstetric liability trial involving the acute hypoxic brain injury of a claimant in his mid-twenties – the case applying the 2015 Mongomery v Lanarkshire Health Board decision on informed consent to care in 1986. Eloise Power has a notable specialism in gynaecological matters. Neil Davy KC was appointed to silk in March 2023 - he handled Hughes v Rattan, in which the Court of Appeal determined that practice owners, despite owing a non-delegable duty of care in respect of associate dentists, are not vicariously liable for their actions.
Testimonials
‘The Clerks are great, from Lee Johnson, senior clerk, down. Very quick, efficient and easy to deal with.’
‘Serjeants Inn are quite simply the best set for advice on medical negligence. Their depth of knowledge is without equal.’
‘The clerks are brilliant at accommodating their clients, always going the extra mile. Lee Johnson, Clare Sabido and Jennifer Pooler are all very helpful. They are responsive, prompt, efficient and helpful. A real joy to work with.’
‘Helpful and a pleasure to work with. Josie Ryan in particular has been great – very efficient and prompt to deal with any queries.’
‘A very experienced set with expertise across the board, and able to offer excellent counsel suitable for a wide range of cases.’
Work highlights
2 Temple Gardens
2 Temple Gardens ‘have an impressive collection of juniors and silks‘, offering both ‘both experience and some very talented up and coming barristers‘. The set has particular experience in cross-border, multi-jurisdictional work: this year, Roger Harris, Charles Dougherty KC, Benjamin Phelps, Niazi Fetto KC and Andrew Bershadski were all involved in the case of Roberts v Various Defendants in the Supreme Court, in which the claimant, a child of a British soldier serving in Germany whose mother received care by British midwives working with German doctors, was born in a German hospital in 2000 with cerebral palsy as a result of allegedly negligent treatment; the case brings up issues relating to jurisdiction and vicarious liability. Niazi Fetto KC took silk in March 2023, and Harry Trusted joined the set from Outer Temple Chambers in January 2023.
Testimonials
‘Consistently excellent clerking team led by Lee Tyler.’
‘Lee Tyler is an exceptional head clerk and his guidance reflects well on his juniors.’
‘Very professional clerks room. Billy Hammonds in particular balances friendliness with excellence – nothing is too much trouble.’
‘2 Temple Gardens have an impressive collection of juniors and silks, offering consistent quality.’
‘2 Temple Gardens are a “go to” chambers. They have both experience and some very talented up and coming barristers.’
Work highlights
39 Essex Chambers
‘Exceptional set of chambers’ 39 Essex Chambers offers expertise on a range of clinical negligence claims to clients from NHS Resolution to injured claimants. Nicola Greaney KC took silk in 2023, notably this year acting in a case in which a claimant with pre-existing psychiatric vulnerability developed complex PTSD from a non-consensual vaginal examination during childbirth. Neil Block KC has specialist experience in group claims, representing NHS Resolution in the ongoing vaginal mesh litigation, and leading Nicola Greaney KC in the Lariam group claims, in which soldiers are bringing claims of psychiatric and neuropsychiatric injury against the Ministry of Defence following the prescription of the anti-malarial also known by its generic name mefloquine– this case raises issues of Montgomery consent as well as complex medical causation.
Testimonials
‘Excellent clerking, very helpful and pragmatic.’
‘The clerks are fantastic. Always on hand to help and provide information quickly and efficiently.’
‘Superb clerking. Approachable, friendly, solution driven and satisfaction focused.’
’39 Essex are a great set, with huge variety of barristers across a range of expertise.’
’39 Essex is an exceptional set of Chambers. Great strength in depth and easy to engage with.’
Work highlights
Deka Chambers
Launched in October 2022 by the merger of 9 Gough Chambers and 1 Chancery Lane, Deka Chambers ‘has huge strength-in-depth from its silks to its juniors’ – bringing together the claimant and defendant-side strengths of both sets. Edward Bishop KC has notable experience in birth injury claims - he acted for the defendant in ZXB v UCL Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, a maximum severity birth injury claim involving issues of breach of duty, causation and material contribution. Laura Johnson KC has involvement in the case of Paul v Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, representing the claimants whose father died following negligent failure to identify his heart problems – the cases touching on issues of case law, dating back to the wake of the Hillsborough disaster, on psychiatric injuries caused by witnessing injuries caused by negligence. Simon Readhead KC specialises in claims involving catastrophic neurological injuries, and turning to the set's juniors Laura Begley is a nother notable name, with experience in claims from negligent spinal surgery to injuries in vulnerable clients with pre-existing issues.
Testimonials
‘The clerks are great to deal with. Michael Goodridge is particularly helpful and always on the ball.’
‘The clerks room is excellent, brilliantly led by Michael Goodridge. Ellie Brand is also absolutely excellent.’
‘Deka Chambers has a plethora of knowledgeable barristers covering a wide range of case types/issues. There is always somebody that can help.’
‘Deka Chambers has huge strength-in-depth from its silks to its juniors. They are helpful and happy to contribute to discussion and training and to share helpful tips on cases.’
‘Exceptional clerks – the best in the business.’
Work highlights
Crown Office Chambers
Crown Office Chambers is ‘full of excellent counsel from the most senior to the most junior’, including expert Alexander Antelme KC, who is currently involved on behalf of a surgeon accused of negligence in the conduct of rectal surgery, involving extensive regulatory investigation. Notably, Charlotte Jones is led in acting for the defendants in Paul, Polmear and Purchase v Royal Wolverhampton Hospital NHS Trust, a case raising complex issues of liability for injuries to secondary victims - those who suffer psychiatric injuries as a result of witnessing injuries caused by negligence. Claire Toogood KC is recognised for her strength in claims involving complex medical issues.
Testimonials
‘Greg Frewin knows the strength and qualities of all the Counsel inside out and can always be relied upon to recommend the best Counsel for the job.’
‘The Clerks and administration is particularly strong with the likes of Lisa Searle and Connor Thomas offering excellent support.’
‘The Clerks are friendly, helpful and accommodating and offer a high level of service.’
‘The Chambers are and always have been full of excellent Counsel from the most senior to the most junior.’
‘Crown Office Chambers is a ‘go to’ Chambers, providing a consistently high level of service.’
Outer Temple Chambers
Outer Temple Chambers has ‘good strength in depth at both silk and junior level’ in the clinical negligence space. Eliot Woolf KC has a notable specialism in wrongful birth cases, while Nathan Tavares is acting in the Lariam claimants v Ministry of Defence claim, concerning military personnel who suffered long-term psychiatric symptoms after being negligently prescribed an anti-malarial drug. Junior Tom Gibson appeared in the Purchase v Dr Ahmed claim, one of the three secondary victim conjoined appeals concerning psychiatric injury to those who have witnessed the death of a loved one due to negligence, which progressed to the Supreme Court in May 2023, he has additional strength in sports-related clinical negligence cases.
Testimonials
‘Paul Barton is an outstanding clerk, always finding solutions to any issues which arise.’
‘The clerking team within chambers is very efficient, responsive and offer excellent client care. Paul Barton in particular goes out of his way to service clients.’
‘The clerking service is second-to-none. Paul Barton and Mark Gardner, in particular, deserve special mention for being approachable, knowledgeable, personable and highly efficient.’
‘Outer Temple Chambers have good strength in depth at both silk and junior level. The chambers have particular expertise in high value and complex clinical negligence litigation and cross-border claims.’
‘Outer Temple Chambers have one of the leading clinical negligence sets in the country with a wide range of counsel at different levels of qualification. Across the board, the barristers are personable, accessible and easy to work with.’
Work highlights
12 King's Bench Walk
12 King’s Bench Walk has a ‘huge breadth of talent at all levels of experience’, with ‘very capable barristers’ including William Audland KC, who has notable expertise regarding spinal injury – including leading junior Isaac Hogarth in the case of Ellis v Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, concluded late 2022, a case involving negligent diagnosis and treatment of a spinal epidural abscess leading to incomplete paraplegia, in which £3m was secured for a claimant after extensive collaborative efforts due to questions around how appropriate an award for provisional damages would be in the event that the claimant’s neurological condition deteriorated as a result of adjacent segment disease.
Testimonials
’12KBW have a very good clerking team led by Oliver Parkhouse. George Boggis is an excellent clerk and is always very responsive and helpful.’
‘George Boggis is stand-out. He is always incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. I would not hesitate in recommending 12KBW.’
‘A strong set all round with very capable barristers.’
‘Huge breadth of talent at all levels of experience.’
’12KBW are an excellent set. The standard of knowledge, work done and advocacy is very high. You know you are in safe hands with them.’
‘The clerks are exceptionally strong, quick and helpful and know which barrister to recommend for which case.’
Work highlights
Devereux
Devereux is ‘an excellent set‘, acting on all aspects of clinical negligence, with particular expertise in high-value claims. Robert Weir KC is ‘a force to be reckoned with‘, notably acting this year for the claimants in the highly anticipated case of Paul and Paul v Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, heard in the Supreme Court in May 2023, determining whether family members who witness the death of a patient long after negligent treatment are able to make secondary victim claims. Robert Glancy KC has particular expertise in catastrophic brain and spinal injury cases, and notable experience in cases involving cerebral palsy. ‘Fantastic, first-rate senior barrister‘ Richard Cartwright has notable expertise in birth trauma claims, including Erb’s palsy.
Testimonials
‘Excellent set, great silks as well as a crop of juniors and senior juniors who are consistently good.’
‘Exceptional clerks who want to do the best by their clients.’
‘They have the best clerking team in the Temple. James Hudson, Chris Downes and Cyrus Biggs are all fantastic.’
‘Best clerks room at the Bar. Chris Downes, Cyrus Biggs and James Hudson are outstanding. Nothing is too much trouble, they maintain communication and follow up without prompting.’
Work highlights
Old Square Chambers
Old Square Chambers‘ clinical negligence team of ‘excellent barristers‘ work with both claimants and defendants in claims across a range of healthcare issues. Ben Collins KC has notable experience in dental negligence litigation, and international law issues: recently acting in a multi-defendant claim arising out of negligent weight loss surgery performed in Italy after consultation in England. Junior Bella Webb has extensive experience in complex delay in cancer diagnosis cases, Sophie Beesley has ‘developed an outstanding practice in claimant clinical negligence work’.
Testimonials
‘The clerks Will Meade and Joe Kallas are both top level clerks. Their client care is excellent and they are a pleasure to work with.’
‘Old Square Chambers would always be my first choice of chambers. Their service is excellent and nothing is too much trouble.’
‘They are a first rate set with a number of excellent barristers and most importantly have an excellent clerking team.’
‘The Chambers have always been very helpful and accommodating.’
‘The clerks are brilliant. They are always friendly and ready to help with any problem. They respond quickly to queries and make sure that deadlines are met.’