Justin Valentine
Justin clearly has a very high intellect and a calm manner about him which clients like. He brings clarity to complex issues and claims.'
St John’s Chambers is ‘a “go to” set in the Western circuit for good quality clinical negligence work’ with ‘strength and depth at both the junior and senior junior end’. Justin Valentine, who heads the team, is ‘a passionate and effective advocate’ with considerable experience in cases involving cauda equina and neonatal claims, delayed cancer diagnosis and diabetes claims. Lauren Karmel is ‘a powerful advocate’, and is often instructed on behalf of NHS Trusts and health boards in claims. James Marwick is well versed in handling major spinal and birth injury claims and cases concerning negligent obstetric and gynaecological care. Beatrice Baskett is ‘extremely confident’ and ‘an absolute asset’.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Hugh Maguire and Adam Marston are both very experienced clerks, with strong organisational and people skills.'
- 'Hugh Maguire is very approachable.'
- 'Jordan Yandell is very personable and friendly.'
- 'The clerks in the clinical negligence team are brilliant, always friendly and always very accommodating.'
- 'St John's Chambers has a brilliant clinical negligence team.'
- 'A leading set in the South West for clinical negligence.'
Lawyers
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.
Lauren Karmel
Lauren is superb. She fights for her client and asks all the right questions.’
James Marwick
He is very personable and efficient. He is extremely good with the clients in very emotionally challenging situations.'
Rachel Segal
Rachel is methodical, diligent and meticulous in her approach with excellent attention to detail. She puts clients and witnesses at ease, is honest and clear with her advice, and leaves no stone unturned. As an advocate, Rachel is fearless and robust.'
Rising stars
Rising stars at the Bar are defined as barristers between four and eight years’ call who are seen as up-and-coming members of the Bar in their respective practice areas by clients and peers alike. They will already be instructed in high-profile, complex, and high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, working with and opposite more experienced leading counsel.
Beatrice Baskett
Beatrice is an outstanding junior counsel who would be an asset to any legal team. She is a skilled advocate with talents far beyond her year of call.’