Louise Asprey
‘She has a kind way of asking questions in a sensitive hearing, but equally is persuasive and knows when to stand her ground.'
A ‘very strong regional set with a growing national reputation’, St John’s Chambers have led on a number of prominent inquests and inquiries across the Western Circuit, with a particular strength in those crossing over with personal injury and clinical negligence. Rachel Segal specialises in inquests concerning deaths in healthcare, with one prominent recent case representing the Health Board in a jury inquest concerning a death of a patient detained under the Mental Health Act and a possible engagement of right to life under ECHR Article 2. Praised for being ’Calm under pressure’ and for her ‘incisive questioning’ Louise Asprey has led on a number of long-term and complex inquests on behalf of the Ministry of Justice, with three recent matters concerning suicides in custody, and the ‘incredibly pro-active, thorough and very well-prepared’ Lauren Karmel represents bereaved families in a range of postmortem inquests. Beatrice Baskett has an increasingly established practice representing claimants in fatal accident and deaths in care.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Hugh Maguire responds promptly to request and assists to provide alternative solutions, for example barrister recommendations, if needed.'
- 'Adam Marston and Hugh Maguire are friendly, approachable and reliable. They will always find you counsel and are happy to discuss availability and make recommendations.'
- 'Clerks and service is responsive and helpful. '
- 'The clerks are always extremely helpful and accommodating.'
- 'We find the Barristers at St John's Chambers to all be very helpful, knowledgeable and approachable. They are our Chambers of choice in relation to clinical negligence and inquest matters.'
- 'The clerks are always helpful and respond promptly.'
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.
Rhodri Jones
Lauren Karmel
'Lauren has an eye for detail and can be relied upon as an advocate to ensure the family’s questions and concerns are central in the process.'
Rachel Segal
'Bright, knowledgeable, responsive but also extremely personable. Great at building a rapport with the witnesses involved.'
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
‘She is well prepared and organised. She shows competence in dealing with complex expert evidence. Her written submissions are to a high standard.’