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
Chris Bright KC is recognised nationally as a leading Clinical Negligence/Personal Injury Silk.
Working for leading solicitors all over the country, he conducts CP/neonatal claims to a capitalised value of £30m, a range of CN cases involving complex clinical and causation issues, and catastrophic brain and spinal injuries and amputation PI claims,. Recent awards include £4.2m/PPO £285,000, £5.4m/PPO £228,000, £3.6m/PPO £250,000, £6m/PPO £217,500 and £7.5m/Year 1 PPO £230,000 then £325,000 for life, equivalent to £12m+, £19m+, £12m+, c£20m and over £30m respectively.
Chris is known by solicitors for his approachability in informally screening cases at an early/pre-expert stage and providing constructive advice upon tactics and the instruction of recommended experts. He is highly regarded for his attention to detail, compassionate client care, calm, logical and sensitive approach, his tactical expertise and excellent negotiation skills.
Chris took Silk in 2009 and in the same year was awarded the Birmingham Law Society’s “Barrister of the Year” Award. He became Head of the Clinical Negligence Group at No5 in 2015 and in 2019 was one of three Silks shortlisted for the Chambers and Partners national Clinical Negligence Silk of the Year. In 2023 he accepted the Chambers and Partners national Clinical Negligence Set of the Year award on behalf of the Clinical Negligence Group before passing on the baton as Head of Group in April 2024. He is a Bencher of Gray’s Inn and, until 2023, was a Crown and County Court Recorder (part time Judge) for over 20 years. He became an Accredited Mediator in 2024.
Career
Crown and County Court Recorder (part-time Judge), 2002-2023
Bencher of Gray’s Inn
Accredited Mediator, 2024
Memberships
PIBA/AvMA
Education
University of Durham (BA Hons Law and Politics).
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.'