John Gray > Chambers of Paul Brant > Liverpool, England > Barrister Profile

John Gray

0151 236 7191 john.gray@orielchambers.co.uk View profile View profile

Work Department

• Civil;
• Personal Injury
• Clincial Negligence;
• Medical Law;
• Professional Negligence;
• Regulatory;
• Mediation.

Position

John Gray has more than 20 years experience in civil litigation. He predominantly undertakes cases involving serious injuries
and clinical (medical) negligence.

John also undertakes cases of professional negligence (mainly solicitors and surveyors).

Personal Injury

John has extensive experience in undertaking personal injury cases. Over the years, the cases he has been involved in have become
more complex involving arguments over liability, causation of the injury/ symptoms and /or the valuation (quantum) of the claim. Veteran in dealing with allegations of fraud. Experience of ancillary litigation – CICA, credit hire, inquests & costs. Currently instructed
in a number of cases where the value is at or above £1million.

Clinical Negligence and Medical Law

John Gray is a barrister who is fascinated by and has a long professional history in cases involving the interface between law and medicine. His broad experience in medical law beginning with his MA in Medical Law and Healthcare Ethics. He began a part time PhD in Bioethics and Medical Jurisprudence but was unable to complete it due to his growing barrister practice. He is regularly instructed in clinical negligence cases involving surgical and pharmaceutical negligence, misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis,
inappropriate treatment and lack of consent. He also undertakes cases involving allied professions including nurse practitioners, dentists, etc. He has also defended before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service.

John has lectured extensively including previously co-writing & presenting a 1 week lecture series on clinical negligence to government lawyers in Kuala Lumpur.

Professional Negligence

John is regularly instructed in matters of professional negligence especially those involving solicitors and surveyors. He has successfully acted for a number of claimants where their previous solicitors mismanaged the litigation He is currently representing 100+ householders in the ‘leasehold scandal’ litigation where numerous conveyancing solicitors failed to properly advise purchasers of new build homes as to the onerous terms of their leases. Many of his cases have involved complex issues of causation and limitation.

Mediation

Accredited mediator having trained with Academy of Experts & UCLAN

Costs

John’s background as the co-founder and owner of a law firm gives him a greater experience in costs and related disputes than the vast majority of barristers. He can offer specialist advice and representation in relation to a wide variety of contentious and no contentious costs disputes. He has experience of cost budgeting, security for costs, provisional and detailed assessments, fixed costs disputes, exceptions to QOCS, solicitor own client disputes, BTE/ATE arguments, wasted or non-party costs orders and allegations of misconduct. He acts for both paying and receiving parties.

John’s heavyweight personal injury (recommended in the Legal 500 2021 and 2022), clinical negligence and professional negligence practice means he has an understanding of the underlying litigation and is an experienced trial advocate. This is useful in solicitor/own client disputes and also where cross-examination is required in matters concerning conduct, misconduct, wasted costs and non-party costs orders.

John is a Recorder and a Tribunal Judge. He is public access qualified and also litigation qualified. He is also a qualified mediator.

Career

Called 2001.

2003-Present: Oriel Chambers, Barrister in self employed independent practice within Chambers.

2020 – Present: Recorder (fee paid judge), Family Court

2019 – Present: First Tier Tribunal Judge (fee paid judge), Mental Health  Tribunal

2010 – 2019: Co-founder and Joint Managing Direct, Gray Law Ltd (also trading as Liver Law).

2002 – 2003: Legal Executive Officer, HM Customs & Excise

2001-2002: Various legal roles in Sydney, Australia.

Memberships

Education

• University of Liverpool (LLB Hons);
• Manchester Metropolitan (PgDip Legal Practice);
• University of Manchester (MA healthcare ethics and law, dissertation ‘Defensive Medicine – A Professional Misunderstanding?’)

Leisure

Voluntary work:

Lay Member of the University’s Research Ethics Committee
University of Liverpool
Dates volunteered May 2018 – Present
The Committee is responsible for receiving details and considering the ethical aspects of University research projects involving human participants, their tissues or their personal information. Member of the Committee incolved in the ethical review of project proposals, as well as contributing to the broader development of the research ethics policy at the University.

Student Mentor
University of Liverpool
Dates volunteered September 2007 – Present
Volunteer mentor since the inception of the Professional Mentoring Scheme at Liverpool Law School in 2007. The Scheme is part of the Law School’s ongoing employability commitment, aiming to assist students to develop the skills, knowledge and personal attributes that will help them secure and be successful in their future careers. Each year mentor 1-2 students per year to giving advice and information on what the job of a barrister (or a solicitor) involves to provide insight into professional life and the work environment in the real world. Provide practical one-on-one advice on CV, interview techniques and advice on applying for legal or other jobs, including discussing how the student can improve their employability.