Western Circuit
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’.
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Work Department
Clinical negligence, Inquests and Personal Injury
Career
Call : 2017
Lauren is ranked as a leading junior for clinical negligence and a rising star in inquests in The Legal 500 2025 guide, and is a specialist clinical negligence and inquests barrister.
She has a sub-specialism in professional regulation and fitness to practise matters. Lauren acts for both claimants and defendants and is happy to consider instructions on a CFA.
In clinical negligence and healthcare, she acts for hospitals, individual clinicians and for patients in all areas of medicine. She is frequently instructed to advise on and negotiate settlements in high-value claims. She has been praised for her ability to provide “clear and pragmatic advice”.
Lauren regularly appears for families and healthcare providers in inquests, including those where Article 2 is engaged.
Lauren is described as a barrister who is “calm and collected in Court, persistent with difficult witnesses, organised, thorough over the details and has one of the best bedside manners with clients that I have seen. Her ability far exceeds her years”.
Lauren is currently being led by Matthew Phillips KC in an ongoing claim concerning allegations of negligent failings to identify and treat symptoms of brain stem stroke, resulting in neuropathic pain and multiple injuries.
Lauren regularly delivers training to solicitors firms throughout the UK, and is happy to deliver bespoke training upon request. She writes articles for the AvMA newsletter, and her insights on current clinical negligence and inquest topics can be heard through our podcast channel here. Lauren regularly volunteers on the AvMA helpline.
Lauren is often involved with file surgeries for clinical negligence claims, where her knowledge and expertise assists our solicitor clients with their cases at an early stage. She can be booked for these through her clerking team.
Lauren joined Chambers in April 2022 following the successful completion of her pupillage under the supervision of Justin Valentine. Prior to commencing pupillage, Lauren spent two years working at the NHS Resolution. This provided valuable insight into clinical negligence claims in both primary and secondary care. Lauren also has prior experience assisting in Tribunal hearings on behalf of registrants before the General Medical Council and General Dental Council, having worked in a law firm specialising in professional discipline.
Memberships
- Personal Injury Bar Association
- AvMA
- Professional Negligence Bar Association
Education
- LLB Honours, University of Nottingham
- BPTC, City University London
- Middle Temple Benefactors Scholar
- Middle Temple Blackstone Scholar
- Diploma in Clinical Risk
Content supplied by St John’s Chambers
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.'
- 'A reliable set with a strong junior end in the clinical negligence practice area.'
- 'A professional and reliable set.'
- 'Fantastic chambers.'