Set Profile > Hailsham Chambers > London, England

Clinical negligence Tier 1

Hailsham Chambers is 'an increasingly strong specialist set' which offers a 'breadth of knowledge' across every medical specialism. The set is 'packed with bright but critically down to earth individuals' across the spectrum of counsel. 'Highly expert silks' and 'exceptional juniors' are instructed on all types of complex and high-value clinical negligence cases. Alexander Hutton QC acted for the claimant in a brain damage case where a premature baby, following discharge from hospital, developed a cold and blocked nose which worsened into respiratory arrests. Andrew Post QC represented King's College Hospital in a wrongful birth claim arising out of the hospital's failure to identify ambiguous sex before birth, which raised issues in relation to causation and scope of duty - the claim, which was initially pleaded at £7.5m, was settled for £200,000.

Professional negligence Tier 1

Hailsham Chambers is an 'outstanding set for professional negligence' and although it is particularly noted for its experience in claims involving lawyers, the set also handles a raft of accountants', IFAs' and surveyors' negligence cases. Michael Pooles QC acted for the defandant in the Supreme Court case of Perry v Raleys, which examines the correct approach to the assessment of damages for loss of a chance. William Flenley QC appeared in Group Seven v Nasir, which examines the law on dishonest assistance for breach of trust by professionals.

Costs Tier 2

Hailsham Chambers is 'one of the foremost costs sets'; it has 'built a formidable team that has strength in depth' and 'the barristers are all technically gifted and approachable'. Alexander Hutton QC acted for the defendant NHS Trusts in Kai Surrey v Barnet & Chase Farm NHS Trust and others, a closely followed Court of Appeal case where legal aid had been changed to a conditional fee agreement (CFA) and after the event insurance (ATE) before recoverability was abolished from 1 April 2013. Elsewhere, Alice Nash successfully represented the claimant in Aviva Wiser v Lester Wilson where the defendant sought an unusual costs order. 

Professional disciplinary and regulatory law Tier 2

Personal injury, industrial disease and insurance fraud Tier 2

Inquests and inquiries Tier 3

Set overviews: England and Wales

The ‘top-class’ Hailsham Chambers is a ‘slick and professional set’ with an ‘impressive knowledge of professional negligence, particularly lawyer and accountant liability instructions’, as well as being a ‘first choice’ for clinical negligence and costs. Chambers has ‘great strength and depth, a great bunch of people, and incisively intelligent and pragmatic barristers who will leave no stone unturned for their instructing solicitors’. And ‘they do all of this without the stuffiness of some other sets’. In recent developments, Theo Barclay joined the set’s costs group and Richard Beaty arrived from 1 CHANCERY LANE. The ‘very impressive’ senior clerk Stephen Smith and his deputy, Michael Kilbey, lead the ‘personable, reliable, and responsive’ clerking team to ‘provide impeccable service’. ‘They will always, without exception, strive to address our needs proactively and with urgency where warranted,’ said one solicitor. Another source added: ‘Always made to feel like the most important client. Never fail to recommend suitable counsel – realistic regarding workloads. Highly commercial in terms of fees, costs, and benefits.’ ‘Meticulous’ first junior clerk Stuart Paley is ‘always accessible and prompt’. Mary McGuigan is the new fees clerk. Offices in: London