1 Chancery Lane ‘at the forefront of cross-border high value personal injury claims’, assisting both claimants and defendants on major cases. Among these include ‘superstar’ Matthew Chapman QC and John Ross QC representing the widow of Sir Ian Brownlie, who died from injuries sustained in a road collision in Egypt, in her case against the Four Seasons in Cairo, a case which reached the United Kingdom Supreme Court. Alongside personal injury work, the team is also adept in handling package travel and conflict cases as well as recoveries against overseas suppliers.
Travel law (including jurisdictional issues) in London Bar
1 Chancery Lane
Testimonials
Set
‘They really know their stuff on international travel. Perhaps the best travel law set.’
‘1 Chancery Lane are the set that is at the forefront of cross-border high value personal injury claims and they are who I go to as my preferred choice.’
‘They are a good strong set at all levels – with some very promising junior Juniors.’
‘Always contactable, helpful and amenable. Great programme during the pandemic of free online training, webinars and legal updates.’
‘The set provides regular useful travel related newsletter updates and the webinars they provided during lockdown were informative and dare I say entertaining at the same time.’
Clerking
‘I found that all of the clerks I talk to are very engaging, willing to do as much as possible to assist and up front about matters, especially when it comes to issues such as fees.’
‘Fantastic service. Respond immediately to requests with a positive solutions-focussed attitude. If diary conflicts arise, they can usually find a way through.’
‘Fantastic clerks with a friendly attitude, and very responsive.’
‘The clerks are very approachable and efficient. They respond to queries very quickly and are always eager to do what they can to assist.’
2 Temple Gardens
2 Temple Gardens is ‘top of the line for defendant travel work’ and ‘involved in most of the leading cases’. For example, Marie Louise Kinsler QC has been acting on the Supreme Court case involving the late Sir Ian Brownlie alongside rising star Alistair Mackenzie. Meanwhile, Charles Dougherty QC acted for CNN in a multi-jurisdictional claim brought by a reporter who suffered an accident while working in the Middle East.
Testimonials
Set
‘2TG are one of our “Go To” chambers, and have been for many years. The fact that there is choice out there is in itself saying something – we consider 2TG to stand out amongst the crowd.’
‘We have been getting excellent service from this set and therefore keep coming back. Second to none in this area.’
‘2 Temple Gardens have a clear reputation in the market for quality on travel law and jurisdictional issues.’
‘2TG is the only Chamber with whom I work and this is because they are, in my opinion, the best chamber in the City to deal with travel litigation cases.’
Clerking
‘Lee Tyler is nothing short of exceptional. He and his team go above and beyond to provide the best possible service and are working around the clock to make sure the client’s needs are met.’
‘A great team who are led in a confident and reassuring manner by Lee Tyler.All the clerks are helpful and efficient. Ollie Gillen-Smith gets a special mention.’
‘Lee Tyler is a star and the team are totally efficient.’
3 Hare Court
‘Renowned for their travel set’, 3 Hare Court has been very active in personal injury, illness claims and medical tourism cases, with a geographical reach on recent disputes involving Europe, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean. This workload has also been significantly high profile, with Howard Stevens QC, Katherine Deal QC, and Dan Saxby representing victims of 2015 shooting at a tourist resort at Port El Kantaoui in Tunisia. Deal has also acted before the European Court of Justice alongside the newly ranked James Hawkins for the ABTA on its intervention in the X v Kuoni case, concerning a claim brought by a former guest for a rape committed by a hotel employee in Sri Lanka.
Testimonials
Set
‘3 Hare Court has a strong group of barristers who specialise in travel law. There is hence always somebody available when required.’
‘They specialise in international work so have a lot of counsel who are strong in this area and this is reflected in the very useful articles that they put out as a set. Their training courses are also very helpful and well put together.’
‘3 Hare Court are renowned for their travel set and have a wide range of counsels at all levels. The senior barristers clearly support and guide the pupils and more junior members as the level of knowledge is consistent throughout.’
‘3 Hare Court have always been exceptionally good at travel law, with some very talented juniors.’
Clerking
‘The clerks are always happy to assist and have a very personable manner. Excellent and efficient service.’
‘There are plenty of clerks who are always of assistance. Duane Hitchman is the most helpful.’
‘The clerks are very approachable and know their barristers well. They are very prompt in responding to enquiries and offer good advice on the suitability of counsel on a particular matter.’
‘The clerks always bend over backwards if necessary to help you out.’
Outer Temple Chambers
Outer Temple Chambers contains ‘leaders in international personal injury law’ and ‘has great depth and breadth of expertise’. One member of particular prominence this year has been Sarah Crowther QC, who has been advising on major cases at the highest levels of the courts system such as FS Cairo LLC v Brownlie and Hutchinson v Mapfre, two personal injury cases with complex jurisdictional issues. At junior level, Ian Denham acted for Generali Assurances on a road traffic accident in France which settled for £10m.
Testimonials
Set
‘Outer Temple are a strong set with Sarah Crowther QC at the helm. They are at the top of their game on travel claims.’
‘The set has a great depth and breadth of expertise and counsel are reliable and available.’
‘A very capable chambers, with Sarah Crowther QC and Gerrard McDermott QC they have excellent depth of experience in international injury and Travel litigation.’
‘Fantastic offering for cross border personal injury cases across silks and juniors.’
‘Outer Temple Chambers is a slick, commercial operation with some of the very best barristers in the field of international injury and travel law.’
Clerking
‘Great clerking and personal service from Paul Barton. Always extremely helpful and professional.’
‘The clerks at Outer Temple offer an impeccably high level of service; they are approachable, friendly and nothing is too much trouble.’
‘Organised, efficient and professional.’
‘Outer Temple’s clerks are fantastic. Mark Gardner, Graham Woods and Paul Barton in particular are consistently professional, approachable, reliable and efficient.’
‘Clerks are excellent. So helpful and charming. Paul Barton and Mark Gardner will always go the extra mile for you. My favourite clerks’ room by miles!’
12 King's Bench Walk
12 King's Bench Walk ‘a go-to set for cross-border litigation, package travel and international transport cases as well as multi-party claims’, with ‘experience across the range of levels’. William Audland QC is the standout silk in this particular field, and advised the travel operator in the X v Kuoni case, concerning the rape of a package holiday guest in a hotel. At junior level, Philip Mead has been the most prevalent and is highlighted by clients for his extensive experience in EU law in this area.
Testimonials
Set
‘Great bunch of talented and down to earth barristers who are very personable and will go the extra mile.’
‘There is a great depth of helpful, organised and meticulous barristers.’
‘A strong set within travel litigation and cross-border claims. Extremely approachable and a very reliable service.’
’12 KBW have a very strong team in the area of travel and international law.’
‘The juniors are of a good standard and the set is well respected in the travel sphere.’
Clerking
‘George Boggis. is very organised and prompt with responses. He goes out of his way to find solutions to issues.’
‘George Boggis has been extremely helpful and supportive in arranging conferences and delivery of papers in an efficient manner.’
‘Very good – very responsive and very willing to accommodate requests in timings of timings and fees.’
‘Clerks are very helpful and have dealt well with Covid and remote working practices.’
‘Helpful clerks, led by the excellent Oliver Parkhouse.’
39 Essex Chambers
39 Essex Chambers ‘is particularly well equipped to deal with cross-border disputes, especially in the field of tort claims’. Michael McParland QC has had a particularly strong year and advised the widow of an investment banker who was killed in a helicopter crash in the Peruvian Andes. Bernard Doherty represents a an Ibiza nightclub in defending a £8.5m personal injury claim brought by former footballer Joey Hutchinson, who suffered a spinal injury.
Testimonials
Set
‘Great set – excel at international law matters.’
‘Good depth of knowledge in travel and jurisdictional matters.’
’39 Essex has very many barristers and so great strength in depth. The facilities are excellent – very modern.’
’39 Essex has some excellent practitioners, most particularly Bernard Doherty, who is one of the best in the field.’
Clerking
‘Excellent.’
‘Very approachable and responsive.’
‘The clerks are generally very helpful. Ben Sunborg is always excellent.’
‘Hannah Milne is excellent. Very good at accommodating last minute queries.’
Fountain Court Chambers
Acting for regulators, airlines and tour operators, Fountain Court Chambers has been particularly active on commercial disputes involving Covid-19’s disruption to the travel market. Rosalind Phelps QC has been assisting Norwegian Airlines and National Express on disputes of this nature, whereas Akhil Shah QC has experienced a similar workload as well as advising Thomas Cook on its liquidation.
Testimonials
Set
‘Fountain Court are very well known in the aviation industry.’
‘Real strength in depth.’
‘I’ve used Fountain Chambers for a number of instructions and have always found the counsel to be of the highest quality.’
Clerking
‘We deal with Sian Huckett who is a pleasure to deal with. Very responsive.’
‘The clerking team provides an outstanding service to its clients. it has a developed understanding of the operation of the travel industry, which serves its clients’ interests well.’
‘The clerking team provides a first class service to its clients. No problem is too difficult to resolve.’
‘One of best sets of clerks I’ve come across. Very responsive and clear on fees and billing. Sian Huckkett in particular stood out.’
Quadrant Chambers
Demonstrating ‘a wide range of experience within the sector’, Quadrant Chambers is particularly renowned for its expertise within the aviation and marine sectors, with members of chambers acting for notable clients in the space including British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair and Jet2.com among others.
Testimonials
Set
‘A wide range of experience within the sector. ‘
‘By and large the barristers are experienced, approachable and friendly.’
Clerking
‘They appear to be extremely efficient.’
‘Clerks are easy to work with and keen to provide a decent service to instructing solicitors.’