The Legal 500 > United Kingdom - The Bar > London Bar > Personal injury, industrial disease and insurance fraud

12 King's Bench Walk has 'modernised its approach to become one of the leading chambers for personal injury'. The 'go-to set for asbestos disease litigation' draws on a wealth of 'unrivalled experience' acting in high-value and complex claims, and is gaining momentum in the international catastrophic injury arena. Stephen Worthington QC and Patrick Vincent acted for the appellant in the Supreme Court decision of Cameron v Hussain, an important judgement on accidents where drivers are untraced. William Audland QC is noted for his specialism in cross-border claims and issues of jurisdiction.

'Undoubtedly one of the leaders in the personal injury arena', defendant-oriented set 39 Essex Chambers is 'an ever-growing set with a huge range of experience'. Members 'offer a first-class service at all levels' and have extensive expertise in high-value catastrophic injury cases, fielding a growing caseload for historical abuse claims. Neil Block QC was instructed by the Foreign and Colonial Office in the Kenyan Emergency Group Litigation, the largest and most complex personal injury claim brought against the UK government. Derek O’Sullivan QC is highlighted for acting in high-value, severe injury cases; Sadie Crapper often acts as sole in catastrophic injury claims, such as those involving brain and spinal injuries. Also of note, James Todd QC took silk in 2019.

The 'professional yet approachable' 9 Gough Chambers has 'successfully attracted barristers who are exceptionally good'.  As well as 'established silks', the set has a 'remarkable team of leading juniors' who are 'cutting edge' and 'not afraid of taking difficult cases to trial'. Claimant catastrophic injury is at the core of the practice, with expertise spanning brain, spinal, and amputation cases. Giles Mooney QC is a recent silk appointment. Andrew Ritchie QC acted for the claimants in Carlos Valencia Estrada & Seb John v BP, a claim in relation to two fatalities arising from the Al Qaeda terrorist attacks on the defendant's gas facility in Algeria. Grahame Aldous QC specialises in personal injury claims with an international or maritime setting, while Laura Begley has particular expertise in criminal injuries compensation claims.

The 'highly respected' 2 Temple Gardens has 'real strength in depth from top silks to new juniors', who are 'highly competent and technically able'. Catastrophic personal injury cases and high-profile group litigation are among the typical instructions for barristers. Its expertise in multi-jurisdictional matters is evidenced by the recent involvement in the landmark Supreme Court case of Lungowe v Vedanta, where Marie Louise Kinsler QC acted for the claimants. Roger Harris is noted for claims involving vicarious liability issues.

Crown Office Chambers is 'a particularly impressive set' with a 'good range of highly experienced advocates' who are able to cover the full gamut of personal injury and industrial disease cases, including group actions. In one instruction of note, David Platt QC acted as lead counsel in the historic sexual abuse case of X Children v Minister for Health and Social Services, which has resulted in an immediate change in the law in Jersey to control the size of such claims. Platt QC also led Alexander Macpherson in Goldscheider v Royal Opera House, a high-profile noise claim against the Royal Opera involving an allegation of acoustic shock by an orchestra member, in which they acted for the defendant. Peter Houghton has recently been involved in cases raising issues of novel mesothelioma treatment (immunotherapy) costs.

Devereux is 'a very strong personal injury set', according to instructing solicitors. Members demonstrate 'far-reaching knowledge of catastrophic injury cases' and have 'client care skills to match'. The set has 'unparalleled expertise in certain niche areas', including spinal cord and brain injury. Severe psychiatric injury and cases that raise challenging points of law are other areas of specialist interest for the set's barristers. Robert Weir QC represented the claimant in the Court of Appeal case Bellman v Northampton Recruitment Ltd, which held an employer vicariously liable for an assault committed by its managing director at a work party. Robert Glancy QC predominantly acts for brain damages and paralysed claimants, while Bruce Silvester has extensive experience in group litigation.

Outer Temple Chambers has a 'good range of quality counsel with suitable levels of expertise and experience', that make up a 'supporting and approachable' team of barristers who are 'serious heavyweights in the personal injury realm'. Members are instructed in cases of utmost complexity and value, including abuse and industrial disease claims. Jonathan Hand QC, who is known for his expertise in equine and other animal-related litigation, took silk in 2019. Gerard McDermott QC has been retained to act for over 200 victims of the Grenfell Tower tragedy. Acting for survivors in historical sex abuse claims is a particular area of expertise for James Counsell QC. Alison McCormick regularly deals with vulnerable claimants, including minors and those who lack mental capacity.

1 Chancery Lane is 'highly proficient in personal injury and related law'. The set is renowned for its involvement in historic abuse claims, but its specialisms also encompass motor-fraud cases as well as high-profile claims against local authorities. Edward Faulks QC and Paul Stagg appeared in the landmark case of CN v Poole BC on the issue of whether social workers owe duties of care to children in investigating allegations of abuse and neglect. Angus Piper is noted for his particular expertise in Highways claims relating to injuries caused by falling trees.

7BR is a 'well-managed, comprehensive and well-stocked supplier of counsel' for personal injury litigation. The set has 'a strong range of juniors and silks' who take on cases ranging in value and field of expertise, encompassing maximum severity brain and spinal claims as well as abuse work. Having appeared before the European Court of Justice and the Supreme Court, Simeon Maskrey QC's practice encompasses maximum severity brain and spinal injury claims. Simon King is regularly instructed on cases involving multiple expert disciplines; while military personal injury law is a particular specialism for Timothy Meakin.

The 'excellent' Cloisters covers the full spectrum of complex and high-profile personal injury cases, acting on behalf of claimants and defendants. Members are 'highly skilled in handling catastrophic injury claims' and particularly adept at dealing with intricate liability and quantum issues. Quantum is a core focus of William Latimer-Sayer QC's practice; he is representing two claimants who were seriously injured in the 2015 Alton Towers' ride accident, as well as acting for PC Kristopher Aves in his claim against the Motor Insurers Bureau arising out of the Westminster Bridge attack. Daniel Lawson has, in turn, a strong reputation for handling difficult liability claims.

The 'very approachable and reactive' Farrar's Building has a number of 'great barristers across all levels of experience' who offer 'extremely good service in the defendant personal injury market'. Members are acknowledged for their 'ability to effectively handle large loss claims'. Of note, Alan Jeffreys QC has a particular speciality in liability claims involving multiple collisions, mechanical defect issues, as well as factual and clinical causation. Andrew Wille was instructed by an employer in connection with the group action arising out of the terrorist attack in Algeria, which contends that BP should be held liable for security failings that might otherwise have prevented or mitigated the attack.

The 'impressive' Old Square Chambers is an 'excellent choice' in the personal injury market. The set has a longstanding reputation in successfully acting for claimants but has recently built a significant defendant presence. Members, particularly juniors, are highly-regarded for bringing 'different strengths to the table'. Paul Rose QC has extensive experience of acting for severely injured service personnel, which is also an area of expertise for Ben Collins QC, one of the leading experts on the law of criminal injuries compensation. Charles Woodhouse is noted for his proven track record acting for defendants in chronic pain and mild traumatic brain injury claims.

Temple Garden Chambers has a 'good range of very competent personal injury counsel' who offer representation at all levels in relation to cases of the highest value. Members' expertise spans pain syndromes, subtle brain injury and motor insurance fraud. The set also fields specialist teams that demonstrate extensive experience across military claims and accidents abroad. Simon Browne QC has niche expertise in aviation accident and international claims, while Marcus Grant's specialisms include head injury and chronic pain litigation. James Bell is regularly instructed by claimants in employer's liability matters.

3 Hare Court is 'an excellent set' which covers the full gamut of personal injury matters from fast track cases to the most complex disputes. Serious head and spinal injuries, fatal claims, and catastrophic accidents are among the areas of expertise for members, who are renowned for their strong track record in travel-related litigation. Katherine Deal QC is a recent silk appointment, strengthening the set's PI team.

Hardwicke offers 'a wide and diverse range of barristers' who are 'available to provide advice at the drop of a hat to assist and complement those instructing'. Counsel is regularly instructed on cases concerning brain and orthopaedic injuries, fatal accidents as well as Animals Act and Montreal Convention claims. Charles Bagot QC successfully defended a high-profile claim brought by a former male model who sued Lufthansa for £7m in lost earnings, after claiming that a fall at Munich airport left him with an exacerbated squint. High-value claims involving defective staircases and the Defective Premises Act 1974 are particular areas of interest for Colm Nugent; Gemma Witherington regularly acts for insurers and has an increasing practice pertaining to secondary victim cases.