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Personal Injury

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No5 Barristers’ Chambers
Ropewalk Chambers
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St Philips Chambers

Leading Silks

Jayne Adams KC –Ropewalk Chambers ‘Jayne is absolutely meticulous in preparation, phenomenally knowledgeable and an awesome advocate, skillfully extracting crucial responses from seemingly innocuous cross-examination. Major clients repeatedly ask for her, a great testament not only to her gravitas as a KC, but also her approachability and warmth. She is exceptional in producing innovative solutions to the thorniest of cases.'
Paul Bleasdale KC – No5 Barristers’ Chambers
Chris Bright KC – No5 Barristers’ Chambers ‘Chris has all the qualities expected from an impressive silk. He has excellent client care skills, the ability to deliver difficult advice and has an enviable depth of knowledge. He offers incredible support when dealing with the most complex clients and really is a team player, encouraging those that work with him to excel in their own careers. He offers the safe pair of hands that in difficult litigation you need and does it all with an incredible warmth and humour.’
John Coughlan KC – No5 Barristers’ Chambers
Satinder Hunjan KC –Kings Chambers ‘Satinder is an extraordinary barrister. He can handle the most complex and challenging cases with total confidence. He is a tactical genius and leaves no stone unturned in getting the absolute best outcome in any case. He sees the woods for the trees. He is excellent with clients and a fantastic advocate at court or in settlement meetings.'
Jonathan Jones KC – No5 Barristers’ Chambers ‘Jonathan is an excellent lawyer, extremely thorough in his preparation and with a terrific grasp of all of the issues in detailed and complex cases. He takes special care to ensure that the client is fully involved and engaged in the presentation and decision making about their case, and is a skilled tactician and negotiator.'
Patrick Limb KC –Ropewalk Chambers ‘Patrick is an excellent and versatile personal injury silk. He is a go-to silk for complex occupational disease litigation, particularly asbestos-related disease, but he also undertakes brain injury cases. He is formidably bright but also very humble and safe effacing. His advocacy style is meticulous and thorough.'
Henry Pitchers KC – No5 Barristers’ Chambers ‘Henry is excellent all round. Notwithstanding his thoroughly deserved seniority now, he has kept his feet firmly on the floor, is modest, approachable and liked by all clients, yet weighted with being an excellent advocate, pragmatist, and a true specialist in his field and beyond.’
David Tyack KC –No5 Barristers’ Chambers ‘David is technically superb and incredibly conscientious. He is genuinely concerned for the wellbeing of clients and superbly polite and helpful. He is a superb advocate.'

Leading Juniors

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Matthew Brunning  – Temple Garden Chambers  ‘Matthew has the ability to grasp a technically complex and difficult issue, break it down in a way clients can follow and understand. His attention to detail is astounding. He is also tactically astute, often thinking about the bigger picture for clients. Matthew is comfortably able to hold his own against (and often exceed) KCs.’
Jason Cox –Ropewalk Chambers ‘Jason is a very effective trial advocate and excellent in overseeing complex JSMs. He is a particularly astute tactician on higher value cases and his attention to detail is exceptional. He is notably good when working under pressure. Clients value his incisiveness and technical knowledge.'
Georgina Crawford – Ropewalk Chambers ‘Georgina has immaculate attention to detail and provides well-rounded advice on often complex and untested matters. She is very measured when dealing with witnesses and is able to extract key information adjusting to the communicative needs of each participant.'
Georgina Cursham –Ropewalk Chambers 'Georgina is wonderfully precise and focused. She has impressive knowledge of the Animals Act (a notoriously difficulty drafted piece of law) and is brilliant at breaking it all down for a lay client. She is also a highly skilled negotiator and an astute tactician.'
Philip Davy –Ropewalk Chambers ‘Philip has a good eye for detail and a precise approach to his work that is ideally suited to industrial disease litigation. His advocacy skills are impressive.'
Malcolm Duthie – No5 Barristers’ Chambers ‘Malcolm is a commanding and imaginative advocate with a great knowledge of the law. He is extremely capable on his feet and inspires confidence in clients and easily builds an amiable rapport.'
Paul Evans – No5 Barristers’ Chambers ‘Paul is simply the complete package. He is excellent technically, thoroughly prepared, wonderful with clients and brilliant on his feet in court. He is a leader, capable of operating alone even in the most serious of cases.'
Esther Gamble – No5 Barristers’ Chambers ‘Esther is a formidable advisor and advocate. She balances a sharp legal mind with exemplary client care. She has built a reputation as a leading advisor, who is ready and able to take on cutting edge cases. She takes a true team approach and is always happy to discuss strategy.'
Kam Jaspal –Ropewalk Chambers ‘Kam is an exceptional advocate for defendant personal injury cases; he delivers unparalleled expertise and strategic insight. His meticulous preparation and adept advocacy and negotiation skills set him apart in the legal landscape. He is truly a standout in the field.'
Richard Moat – No5 Barristers’ Chambers ‘Richard has a good eye for detail and his ability to remember all aspects of a case always amazes. His advice is always clear - he will often give the good news early providing solutions on how to deal with the more complex or tricky cases. He is approachable and always willing to help where he can.'
Tom Panton –Ropewalk Chambers ‘Put simply, Tom is as good as it gets. He is always prepared, thorough, excellent on strategy and legal drafting, and a great negotiator. He is a first-class advocate.’ 
Robert Smallwood – No5 Barristers’ Chambers ‘Robert has fantastic attention to detail that makes a real difference in complex cases. He is superb in conference with experts and very robust in JSMs with opponents. His trial advocacy is best in class.'
Nick Xydias – No5 Barristers’ Chambers ‘Nick is a clever, experienced, and compassionate barrister who always sees the bigger picture. He quickly gains the confidence of clients and families alike. He puts clients at ease and leaves them with a sense of confidence that he will take on the fight. Nick is also a formidable advocate.’
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Andrew Evans –St Philips Chambers
Steven Fisher – No5 Barristers’ Chambers ‘Steve's application of case facts to the relevant law is exceptional. He is very personable and puts clients at ease. He presents cases in a straightforward manner which is often appreciated by the judiciary.'
Jamie Gamble – No5 Barristers’ Chambers ‘Jamie has excellent communication skills and is a very persuasive advocate.'
Richard Gregory –Ropewalk Chambers ‘Richard is an excellent advocate particularly skilled at cross-examining defendant experts and in short but succinct closing submissions. He provides straightforward common-sense advice to solicitors and clients. Richard is also very personable and very good with clients.'
Myles Jackson –Ropewalk Chambers ‘Myles has the ability to consider rather complex cases and is able to anticipate early on any arguments and problems that may arise. He is extremely relatable towards clients and is able to build a strong relationship whereby clients are relaxed around him.'
Timothy Jacques – Cornwall Street Barristers ‘Timothy is an expert in his field and, more than that, frames his advice and expertise so that solicitors and lay clients especially can fully appreciate them. His standard of work is faultless and working with him feels much more of a collaboration than receiving a from-on-high opinion or advice.’
Edward James – Ropewalk Chambers ‘Ed is good on his feet in court, is very well prepared and puts witnesses at their ease but is robust in cross-examination. He is good with clients and put his advice in concise and straightforward language, exactly as required by clients.'
Christopher Lowe – Deka Chambers ‘Chris is a go-to barrister who always provides a very high standard of service in personal injury matters. Chris is extremely responsive and helpful and has very strong client care skills. He also has excellent drafting skills and prepares very detailed schedules.’
Andrew Lyons - 12 King's Bench Walk
Andrew McNamara –Ropewalk Chambers ‘Andrew has a relaxed manner that belies a thorough and tenacious approach. In hearings he stands out, even among silks. He also has a strong, formidable presence in the court room and is great with cross-examination.'
Damian Powell –Ropewalk Chambers ‘Damian is thorough in everything he does and reviews papers meticulously. He is an excellent advocate and his knowledge is second to none in personal injury cases. Damian is also very personable.'
Rochelle Rong –Ropewalk Chambers ‘Rochelle is incredibly clever and able to assimilate huge amounts of technical information and rapidly get to the heart of cases. Her eye for detail is very impressive, she misses nothing and dispatches with ill prepared opponents with ease. She is a formidable advocate who is immensely capable and able to unravel the most challenging of cases.'
Philip Turton – Ropewalk Chambers ‘Phil has excellent attention to detail and a thoughtful, considered approach to serious injury claims. He is empathetic with clients who always feel he will go the extra mile for them. He always adds value to the case whether as an advocate or negotiator. He is a very capable negotiator and an accomplished advocate with a very impressive style before the court.'
Rachel Young –Ropewalk Chambers ‘Rachel is a go-to barrister for complex multi-track personal injury claims. She is very experienced and her calm and professional personality belies an extremely persuasive and tenacious advocate who will relentlessly pursue great results. She has very sound judgment and is great with clients.'
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Sofia Ashraf –St Philips Chambers ‘Sofia is a first-class barrister and is very good technically. Her level of knowledge and expertise and range of specialisms would leave you thinking she has been at the Bar for far longer. She is very clever, personable and is a brilliant advocate who will always fight her client’s corner. Her attention to detail is fantastic and she leaves no stone unturned.’
Colin Baran – St Philips Chambers ‘Colin is a really effective communicator, always making sure clients understand their options and making them feel confident making decisions about their case. He sees straight to the heart of the issues. He really is a pleasure to work with and is a go-to barrister for personal injury.'
Lucy Coulson – No5 Barristers’ Chambers ‘Lucy is a tenacious advocate. She gets straight to the heart of cases and can pull any witness apart with her forensic cross-examination.'
Louisa Denning – No5 Barristers’ Chambers
Philip Godfrey –Ropewalk Chambers 'Phil's winning combination of incredible technical knowledge and personable manner mean he is able to instantly put claimants at ease, whilst explaining the most complex legal principles simply and effectively in a way they are completely comfortable with. He is incredibly strong in conference. A delight to work with.'
Stephen Goodfellow – No5 Barristers’ Chambers
Teresa Hargreaves – No5 Barristers’ Chambers ‘Teresa is able to grasp crucial issues immediately.  She is extremely well prepared and able to give pragmatic advice to clients on a level they can understand.  She is extremely down to earth, which is crucial when dealing with personal injury clients. She is a go-to barrister.’
Thomas Herbert – Ropewalk Chambers ‘Thomas cuts straight to the point and clearly outlines the strongest (and perhaps more importantly) the weakest aspects of a case. He is very adept at dealing with complex issues of causation and excels when cross-examining medical experts.'
Sarah Hopkinson – Ropewalk Chambers ‘Sarah is an excellent communicator and is very professional.'
Jodie Kembery – No5 Barristers’ Chambers
Kate Longson – Ropewalk Chambers ‘Kate is an outstanding advocate. She is particularly persuasive in her arguments and incredibility engaging. Kate has excellent attention to detail and grasps the main issues in the matters and is able set out a clear strategy which is very helpful.'
Gareth McAloon – 12 King’s Bench Walk ‘Gareth is an authority on disease claims. He has extremely sound judgement, with commercial realities always in mind, and is robust when required.’
Alexander Mellis – No5 Barristers’ Chambers 'Alex’s analytical abilities are excellent. He not only shows an understanding of what clients want and why, but is able to extract what is important and relevant from what can often be significant amounts of information. Alex has very good judgement and takes a commercial and pragmatic approach which is something that clients appreciate.'
Alexandra Pountney – Ropewalk Chambers
Richard Seabrook –Ropewalk Chambers
Shilpa Shah –Ropewalk Chambers ‘Shilpa's strengths are her attention to detail and preparedness for cases - no stone is left unturned in her desire to deliver the best result for her client. She really is second to none in that regard.'
Samuel Shelton – Ropewalk Chambers ‘Sam is a very bright and extremely gifted young barrister with a great eye for detail. He is particularly excellent at translating large amounts of difficult information into short, comprehensible paragraphs.’
Nicholas Truelove  – Kings Chambers ‘Nick is an excellent advocate and intuitive and voracious in cross-examination. His skills and legal knowledge in advising clients in conference are particularly impressive and he has a natural empathy with experts which allows them to feel comfortable in providing evidence.'
Cassandra Williams –Ropewalk Chambers ‘Cassandra's unmatched ability to focus on the crucial issues in a case means she is incredibly effective. Her meticulous nature ensures if a case is with her it has the best chance of success. She is incredibly pragmatic and innovative at the same time. She is a joy to work with.'

Personal injury in Regional Bar

No5 Barristers' Chambers


No5 Barristers’ Chambers is widely praised as ‘an exceptionally strong set’ that hosts a wide range of ‘barristers with unparalleled talent’ when it comes to personal injury work. Jonathan Jones KC regularly handles high-value claims for both claimants and defendants, often involving consideration of periodical payments, provisional damages, statutory funding, and capacity. Teresa Hargreaves’ broad practice covers asbestos-related cases, RTAs, and workplace injury claims. Esther Gamble is noted for her ‘very detailed’ approach to medically complex cases, with her experience encompassing brain and spinal injuries, amputations, and fatalities. Robert Smallwood is routinely involved in complex and high-value cases – he is currently representing an amateur athlete who sustained catastrophic injuries as a result of falling from a cliff during a running-swimming duathlon, with the case raising novel issues regarding the duty owed to participants by sports event organisers and the extent of risk accepted by participants in such events. Karl Hirst left practice in August 2024.

Testimonials

‘The clerks’ room is good  – Clare Radburn stands out for her fast, efficient, mature and clear approach.’

‘The clerks are excellent; helpful and exceedingly well organised. It is always a pleasure to do business with them. William Theaker, Peter Motram, and Tracey Witherford are all excellent.’

‘William Theaker and Morgan Smith are excellent. The clerking team will do what they can to find you appropriate counsel even at short notice.’

‘No5 Chambers is an exceptionally strong set.  They have a depth of barristers with unparalleled talent for personal injury work.  They offer comprehensive, detailed and interesting training seminars for all lawyers of all levels.’

‘No5 Chambers offers an excellent service. They have a full range of specialists for almost every type of claim and issue as may arise. They also provide excellent, helpful and engaging training programmes, which always also offer a great opportunity for networking.’

‘The Personal Injury Group at No5 Chambers offers a friendly, adaptive and professional service. They have an excellent depth of experience within the set and encourage and promote each other. Their approach to providing excellent client service is very much appreciated by clients.’

‘No5 Chambers is a strong set and offers a range of barristers with broad depth of experience in this field.’

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Ropewalk Chambers


Ropewalk Chambers continues to operate at the forefront of personal injury work in the Midlands. Jayne Adams KC, ‘brilliant on paper and on her feet’, is a disease specialist with particular expertise in mesothelioma and other asbestos-related claims. She also handles stress-at-work and catastrophic injury cases. Patrick Limb KC recently acted for the claimant in novel occupational disease claim Holmes v Poeton, making the case that exposure to toxic levels of organic solvent TCE whilst working for the defendant resulted in the claimant developing Parkinson’s disease. The judge confirmed the applicability of the material contribution test for causation to indivisible injuries (such as Parkinson’s) but found no clear evidence that exposure to TCE causes such diseases. With a reputation as an ‘effective trial advocate and astute tactician’, Jason Cox is instructed by claimants and defendants in high-value catastrophic and fatal injury claims. Rochelle Rong stands out for ‘her grasp of the detail’ in cases as well as her ‘formidable advocacy‘.

Testimonials

‘Tony Hill and Alan Odiam are particularly thorough and provide a crucial link to the key barristers.’

‘Adrian Kelly is ‘on it’. He is super responsive, empathetic, and leads by example.’

‘Tony Hill is a particular favourite and always goes above and beyond to assist. Despite his seniority he is always quick to help and no job is too small.’

‘One of best clerking rooms in the country ably led by Tony Hill, who always finds solutions and supports above and beyond most other chambers.’

‘A very good set for both Disease and Personal Injury work.’

‘The best set for defendants in their area and indeed beyond.’

‘Ropewalk Chambers is a fantastic set. As well as producing excellent written documents and advocacy, they adhere to deadlines and are a pleasure to work with. They also offer training sessions which are always well prepared and helpful.’

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St Philips Chambers


St Philips Chambers hosts several barristers with considerable experience handling a wide range of personal injury matters. Noted for ‘distilling complex points of law’ into advice that is intelligible to lay clients, Sofia Ashraf regularly acts for both claimants and defendants, with her broad practice covering road traffic accidents, employers’ liability, occupiers’ liability, and occupational health cases. Colin Baran handles employers’ liability and public liability claims at the intersection of employment and personal injury law, specialising in defending public authorities and the emergency services in training-related claims.

Testimonials

‘Janita Patel is extremely helpful and always willing to shuffle the deck where necessary.’

‘The clerks are efficient and are quick to assist.’ 

‘The clerks are very good at responding and re very helpful.’

‘St Philips Chambers is always very helpful in finding suitable counsel for matters. Their seminars are particularly interesting and always useful.’

‘Chambers is well placed in terms of clerking and office space for conferences.’

Work highlights