Midland Circuit
No5 Barristers’ Chambers is ‘a fantastic set with an incredible strength in depth in the medical negligence field from junior to KC’. Led by the ‘remarkably intelligent’ John Coughlan KC, the team has a solid track record in handling a wide range of complex clinical negligence work. The ‘very thorough’ Chris Bright KC often advises on brain injury cases, while Mamta Gupta is well versed in handling gynaecological, orthopaedic, and birth injury cases, as well as mental health suicide cases. Dental negligence matters are a core area of strength for Louisa Sherlock. Richard Grimshaw was appointed to the circuit bench in October 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Mentions
Profile
Work Department
Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence
Position
Head of the Clinical Negligence Group, No5 Barristers’ Chambers
Deputy Head of Chambers, No5 Barristers’ Chambers
Director of Recruitment, No5 Barristers’ Chambers
Deputy Leader, Midland Circuit
Director of Education, Midland Circuit
Career
Call 1999, Silk 2021.
John was appointed to silk in 2021 following a successful and diverse clinical negligence and serious injury practice. He prides himself on detailed preparation, client care and expert witness handling, both in conference and at Trial. He has acted in group litigation and a large number of high profile and high value cases. John is regularly instructed in cases at the cutting edge of evolving law including wrongful birth, IVF accidents, failures in obtaining informed consent and a strong vein of cases involving secondary victims. Many of his cases involve multiple Defendants, and he is skilled at exploring and distilling complex issues of causation and quantum.
In silk, he predominantly acts in cases of the utmost severity involving injury to brain and spine. Many of his cases involve consideration of complex care regimes and periodical payments, accommodation issues and statutory funding.
John has always struck a balance between acting for Claimants and Defendants and has been recommended in the directories for many years.
Memberships
PIBA; PNBA; AvMA.
Education
LLB (1997 Hons Bris); BCL (1998 Hons Oxon).
Content supplied by No5 Barristers’ Chambers
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Will Theaker runs a extremely slick operation. He is proactive and no task is too difficult.'
- 'Will Theaker and Pete Mottram are first class and always try to help where needed.'
- 'Will Theaker and Tracey Witherford are both very helpful and responsive.'
- 'Pete Mottram and Will Theaker are very polite, helpful and simply brilliant clerks.'
- 'No5 are an excellent set. They cover all aspects of medical negligence and have expertise at all levels.'
- 'No5 offers a range of counsel with a wealth of expertise in the clinical negligence area.'
- 'No5 is a very experienced chambers with a strong, experienced clinical negligence team.'
- 'A very good clinical negligence offering.'
- 'A fantastic set.'