Irwin Mitchell’s International Serious Injury department houses a team of personal injury specialists with a broad skill set, frequently instructed on high-profile, complex cases. The team is led by Demetrius Danas, who regularly acts across jurisdictions on travel litigation, including aviation and maritime claims. Philip Banks heads the Birmingham and Manchester teams and is noted for his expertise in representing both foreign nationals injured in the UK and UK nationals injured abroad while travelling or working. Jatinder Paul heads the group illness team and is a key contact for clients pursuing claims relating to gastric illness, waterborne diseases and food contamination. Legal directors Kylie Hutchison and Leane Shanks are also well regarded, Hutchison typically handles sport-related claims, while Shanks is a primary contact for road traffic collision and clinical negligence matters. Cheryl Palmer-Hughes left the firm in March 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Irwin Mitchell’s travel team are one of the strongest on the market. Their team is highly experienced, personable and each member is excellent. They provide the highest service to their clients and strive for an excellent outcome in every case.’
- ‘Irwin Mitchell have a longstanding and justified reputation as one of the leading claimant personal injury firms, with extensive knowledge of the foreign accident area. They maintain that position in the foreign accident space. Post-Brexit, their knowledge and collaboration with foreign lawyers remains an important element of their service when cases need to be issued abroad.’
- ‘Irwin Mitchell are totally dominant in this field, and this is because their team is second to none. They have strength in depth, and they are well-supported by non-fee earners. Their infrastructure is consistently on point, and they take the most difficult cases and dare to run with them.’
- 'A wonderful team with huge experience, deep knowledge and some stand-out talent.'
- ‘Philip Banks is the lead partner in Birmingham with long-standing experience in this area. His client care skills are of the highest order. Philip Banks has an impressive CV of travel claims, combined with an empathetic approach to his clients.’
- ‘Jatinder Paul is a standout individual. He is unparalleled in his field. He strives to achieve the best outcomes he can for his clients, with truly exceptional results. It is no surprise that he was recently successful in the Supreme Court. He will undoubtedly continue to shine in this area and be a real force in travel law.’
- ‘Philip Banks is known for his truly exceptional knowledge in travel law. He leaves no stone unturned in his attempts to secure the best outcome he can for his clients.’
- ‘James Riley is exceptional in his dedication to his clients, knowledge of the law and attention to detail.’
- 'Very strong consumer presence'
- 'Top team led by Demetrius Danas in London and Phil Banks in Birmingham. Hands on, reactive, and competent'
Key clients
- Stichting Victimes des Dechets Toxiques
- Camp LeJeune
- Cape Verde group illness claim
- Henry and 34 Others
- SGP
Work highlights
Acting for a Dutch foundation (Stichting) which represents more than 100,000 claimants in relation to a claim against Trafigura Beheer B.V (a Dutch company) and Trafigura Limited (an English company) for personal injury and consequential losses sustained as a result of the dumping of toxic waste in and around Abidjan, Ivory Coast, in August 2006.
Acted for James Ellington (GB Olympic sprinter and two-time relay gold medallist with GB - 2014 and 2016 European Championships) in his claim for damages arising out of serious injuries sustained in a road crash whilst on a winter training trip with Team GB in Tenerife in 2017.
Acting for a number of former British Military personnel and their families who have been affected by exposure to contaminated water at the military base known as Camp LeJeune in the North Carolina, USA.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Philip Banks
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Jatinder Paul
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Demetrius Danas
Other key lawyers
Philip Banks; Jatinder Paul; Kylie Hutchison; Leane Shanks; James Riley