Nicola Greaney KC > Chambers of Charlie Cory-Wright KC and Richard Harwood KC > London, England > Barrister Profile

‘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.

‘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.

39 Essex Chambers is home to ‘an incredibly strong team of counsel‘ within the public law arena, with the set acting for a diverse range of public bodies and claimants. Recent work highlights include the ‘super‘ Jenni Richards KC, Catherine Dobson and Stephanie David acting for the claimant in Jennings v Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, involving an application for a declaration that it was lawful for the claimant to use an embryo with a surrogate following the death of the claimant’s wife. The claim was brought on the grounds that preventing the use of the posthumous embryo would act as a breach of the claimant’s Article 8 rights; the High Court permitted the declaration. In a separate matter, Richards KC successfully represented the claimant in R (Timson) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, a judicial review challenge to the DWP’s policy of allowing automatic deductions, without presenting the claimant with an opportunity to make representations, from welfare benefits to pay debts to utility providers. Katherine Apps KC and Nicola Greaney KC were elevated to silk in March 2023.

With considerable expertise in costs issues arising from group litigation, 39 Essex Chambers’ well established costs practice sees its members regularly appearing before the SCCO, High Court, CAT, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court; as well as a strong international arbitration presence, especially in the Middle East and Asia. Simon Browne KC represented the claimant in AKC v Barking and Redbridge NHS Trust, a significant case before the Court of Appeal concerning electronic bills of costs that do not identify individual fee earners. Vikram Sachdeva KC acted for the appellant in Bushby v Galazi, a High Court case which developed on the Court of Appeal’s guidance in Glover v Baker concerning the impact of litigation friends on costs responsibilities. In RPB v HMRC, Nicola Greaney KC continues to represent HMRC in a significant case for after-the-event premiums recoverability in publication and privacy proceedings.

39 Essex Chambers‘ members are routinely instructed in high-profile professional disciplinary work. Gregory Treverton-Jones KC is a respected specialist in regulatory and disciplinary issues concerning the legal sector, while Eleanor Grey KC has an excellent track record in acting for the GMC in appeals before the High Court. Recent instructions for the team include Peter Mant successfully representing the GMC in an appeal brought by a doctor against the regulator’s decision to erase him from the medical register, following allegations that he drugged and raped a junior colleague; the appeal was refused. In a boost to chambers, Nicola Greaney KC and Katherine Apps KC both took silk in March 2023.

‘Go-to set’ 39 Essex Chambers‘ civil liability team is managed by Jamie Tucker, who moved from 12 King’s Bench Walk in April 2023. It has notable growing sports injury expertise, with Derek O’Sullivan KC representing the Welsh Rugby Union in Hughes & 168 Others v World Rugby, Welsh Rugby Union and Rugby Football Union – claims brought by former professional rugby players for alleged cumulative brain damage over their careers. Nicola Greaney KC took silk in the 2023 round, this year acting for the Mayor and Transport for London in the case of Kissi-Debrah v Department for Environment & ors, a claim brought in the wake of a high-profile inquest which found that air pollution more than materially contributed to her death due to a fatal asthma attack. Sadie Crapper, who specialises in cases in which fraud is alleged, is a noteworthy set member.