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Clinical negligence

Selena Plowden KC

Selena Plowden KC

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Guildhall Chambers

Guildhall Chambers is ‘an anchor of clinical negligence expertise in the South West’, and houses ‘a strong offering of gifted clinical negligence barristers’. Selena Plowden KC‘s ’ability to engage in the medical evidence is second to none‘. The ’extremely meticulous and dedicated‘ Martin Lanchester has established experience in acting for claimants and defendants in a broad range of cases concerning cauda equina, delayed cancer diagnosis claims and spinal injuries, to name a few. The group reports an increase in birth injury claims, a key area of instruction for Sophie Holme. James Bentley’s workload includes dental negligence, radiological negligence and consent matters.
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0117 930 9000
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[email protected]
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guildhallchambers.co.uk

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Work Department

Clinical negligence; personal injury; professional discipline; inquests.

Position

Selena specialises in complex and high value clinical negligence and personal injury cases. She has expertise in dealing with particularly sensitive and legally complex issues such as those arising from the treatment of mental illness; the provision of public health services; the funding of health and social care in the community; management of the interface between different health services; intimate birth and brain injuries.

Selena is ranked by Legal 500 as a First Tier Silk:

‘Selena is a super brain. She has a great ability to organise, analyse and distil the essence from huge quantities of material. She never misses an important point in the evidence.’ She is ‘willing to tackle the novel and the challenging, with unrivalled commitment and insight’; ‘she brings with her such experience and such tenacity that if she’s on your case you feel confident in taking it forward’. [2022]

And by Chambers UK as a Band 1 Silk:

“Absolutely excellent – she really stands out for her acumen and expertise in clinical negligence cases.” “She’s truly meticulous and incredibly sharp.” “Completely dedicated to her clients, approachable, personable and always goes the extra mile.” [2022]

As a junior, Selena also represented clinicians before disciplinary tribunals and for a time she sat as a Legal Assessor for the GMC. She has sat part time as a Judge on Mental Health Tribunals since 2007 and continues to do so.

Selena is shortlisted for 'Clinical Negligence Silk of the Year' at The Legal 500 Bar Awards 2022.

Career

Called 1991; Inner Temple; Chambers of Edward Faulks QC, No 1 Chancery Lane (then No 1 Serjeants Inn) 1991-98; senior lecturer Inns of Court School of Law 1998-2002; Guildhall Chambers, Bristol 2003 to present; 2007 appointed mental health tribunal judge; 2010 appointed legal assessor to the GMC. Publications of note: ‘Advanced Civil Litigation (OUP 2001-07); occupiers’ liability chapter in APIL Encyclopaedia PI (2006); JPIL article re MRSA (2006); Atkins Court Forms PI (1997-98).

Memberships

AVMA; PNBA.

Education

Woldingam School; Manchester College; London University (1989 BA (Hons) English 1st); City University (1990 Diploma in Law); Bar School (1991).

Content supplied by Guildhall Chambers

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Caroline Evans and Olive Kavanagh are friendly, communicative and approachable. They are incredibly helpful and always willing to be flexible. They are a fantastic asset to their chambers.'
  • 'Olive Kavanagh and Caroline Evans are always helpful.'
  • 'Caroline and Olive are exceptional in their roles at clerks.'
  • 'Caroline is Super Woman!'
  • 'First class!'
  • 'Guildhall have an amazing array of different people within the clinical negligence sphere that would be able to manage all cases.'
  • 'Superb strength in depth.'
  • 'Guildhall Chambers is a delight to work with.'
  • 'Counsel are always willing to go the extra mile.'