Gerard McDermott KC
‘He is simply excellent on his feet. Solicitors appreciate his ability to try to think what a judge will make of evidence. He is not afraid of making big decisions - everyone trusts that those calls will be right.’
Featuring ‘a broad range of very capable advocates’, the personal injury offering at Outer Temple Chambers holds broad expertise in catastrophic injury matters, including those pertaining to maximum severity injuries, psychiatric claims stemming from serious accidents and sexual abuse, along with injuries involving sports or equine activities. The sophistication of the set’s cases is evident in Sarah Crowther KC’s role in Tyres v Aegis Defence Services (BVI) Limited and others, a wrongful fatality claim where the liability of the employer for the death of a private military contractor in Iraq and duty to their widow was in contention. Additionally, Ian Denham routinely presents cases before higher circuits, such as Fleming v Zurich Insurance plc, a case that reached the Court of Appeal and saw a dispute that arose from a spinal whiplash injury suffered by the claimant.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Mark Gardner and Chris Rowe have always provided exceptional service'
- 'A broad range of very capable advocates.'
- 'OTC are a well regarded set in PI (claimant and defendant). There are many strong options for representation and they are proactive marketeers.'
- 'The clerks are very approachable and efficient. '
- 'They have a number of high quality silks working in this area, together with some excellent juniors. '
- 'Outer Temple is a quality set in the arena of personal injury litigation '
- 'Outer Temple Chambers are very user-friendly and accommodating and always have been '
Lawyers
Leading Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
James Counsell KC
‘James is fantastic. Meticulous analysis, superb with clients and a terrific advocate. Incredibly helpful and nice to deal with.’
Sarah Crowther KC
‘Her knowledge of cross border issues that arise in personal injury litigation is excellent. She has a strong handle on complex legal and medical issues.’
Harry Steinberg KC
'Harry is excellent on his feet. A robust advocate with conviction in his advice. You certainly want him in your corner; he always delivers.'
Nathan Tavares KC
‘Excellent knowledge and tactical skills for dealing with catastrophic brain and spinal injury cases.’
Christopher Wilson-Smith KC
Able to get to the heart of a case, no matter how complex, and determined to fight for the best outcome.’
Eliot Woolf KC
‘Eliot is a joy to work with. He is unfailingly kind and patient in his approach. He works incredibly hard and, although modest, is fiercely intelligent. His style as an advocate is excellent. He is widely held in high regard.’
Jonathan Hand KC
‘His knowledge, expertise and advocacy skills are exceptional. He is also hugely approachable and fantastic with clients, putting them at ease and explaining things thoroughly but in a straight forward manner.’
Matthew Phillips KC
Christopher Wilson-Smith KC
Christopher has a sharp legal mind and real gravitas in the field of catastrophic injury claims.’
2025 Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Personal injury - Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
Ian Denham
‘Ian is proactive, knowledgeable, able to tackle complex issues and able to simplify matters for the client brilliantly. His in-depth knowledge of case law makes him a very impressive advocate.’
Aliyah Akram
‘Aliyah is extremely strong on challenging asbestos disease claims. She knows the case law inside out and has been involved as a junior in some ground breaking work in recent years, so she can temper her view of the law with her experience in front of the bench.’
Harry Lambert
‘Very detailed advice with specialist knowledge’
Daniel Clarke
‘Very bright, but also very approachable, calm and sympathetic with clients. Written advice always comprehensive. Takes a collaborative approach to cases. Very clear and precise advocate.’
Patrick Sadd
‘Patrick has exceptional client care skills and is able to advise clients really effectively about issues that are often sensitive or traumatic in nature.’
Will Young
‘Thorough consideration of cases, regular updates in relation to work undertaken, user friendly and personable, clear and concise with clients. Able to put clients at ease. Well prepared in relation to advocacy.’
David Haines
‘David is meticulous and methodical in his approach with great attention to detail.’
Lorna Badham
‘Lorna is the epitome of an outstanding barrister, a shrewd tactician in pre-trial strategies and cross-examination, and a phenomenal advocate in court.’
James Aldridge
‘James is an outstanding personal injury and clinical negligence barrister. He is superb on his feet and always well-prepared in conference.’
Robert Dickason
‘Rob is outstandingly good, an excellent drafter and very reliable. Very experienced in personal injury litigation.’
Olinga Tahzib
‘Olinga is very thorough and meticulous in his research and written work. He handles vulnerable clients with great sensitivity and his advocacy is incredibly clear, eloquent and persuasive.’
Christopher Kemp
Alison McCormick
Personal injury - Rising Stars
Rising stars at the Bar are defined as barristers between four and eight years’ call who are seen as up-and-coming members of the Bar in their respective practice areas by clients and peers alike. They will already be instructed in high-profile, complex, and high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, working with and opposite more experienced leading counsel.
