Exchange Chambers is ‘a leading chambers for clinical negligence and has extensive strength in depth’. David Knifton KC has ‘exceptional forensic rigour and a huge wealth of experience with clinical negligence catastrophic injury claims’, and continues to act for claimants in obstetric negligence cases. Gerard Martin KC has extensive experience in advising on spinal cord and brain injury claims concerning both children and adults. Recent instructions for the group include the ‘stellar advocate’ Chris Barnes KC advising on a wrongful birth claim. At the junior end of chambers, Chris Gutteridge specialises in cases concerning anaesthetic negligence, and the ‘very effective, analytical, balanced, and reasonable’ Kevin Naylor is sought after by defendants and claimants for his specialist focus on clinical negligence claims. Bill Braithwaite KC retired from practice in March 2025.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

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.

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.

Chris Gutteridge

A technically astute junior who cuts through complex matters to get to the heart of the issue. He is an outstanding barrister: friendly, approachable and a good tactician.'