Department profile
1 Crown Office Row

Personal Injury

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


1 Crown Office Row

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Personal Injury - London (Bar)

Band 3

Band 3


What the Team is Known For

1 Crown Office Row offers expertise spanning the full range of personal injury matters. Its strong bench of barristers is regularly called upon to handle complex and high-value catastrophic injury cases arising from accidents at work and on the road. Interviewees note that the set provides "top-notch counsel in respect of legally complex matters and emotionally delicate issues." The chambers houses considerable strength in matters involving allegations of historic sexual abuse, and several tenants have been involved in some of the most high-profile inquiries of recent years such as the Rochdale Abuse Inquiry and the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. Members undertake work on behalf of both claimants and defendants, and count several health authorities, government departments and major insurers among their clients. Recent work includes DJ v Barnsley MBC, a historical sexual abuse case before the Court of Appeal, and Various Applicants v Lambeth Borough Council, a high-profile matter arising from allegations of abuse at children's homes.

John Petrie is chambers director.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • 1 Crown Office Row has very responsive clerks, who are helpful in terms of trying to sort out available dates and listings.

    Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks always provide a first-rate service.

    Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
  • 1COR has an incredibly organised clerking team, ensuring smooth and efficient operations. They provide very efficient, friendly and responsive clerking.

    Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are brilliant at 1COR. Chloe Turvill is responsive.

    Personal Injury respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Star IndividualsElizabeth-Anne Gumbel
    Star IndividualsElizabeth-Anne Gumbel

    Elizabeth-Anne Gumbel

    Elizabeth-Anne Gumbel KC commands universal respect for her unrelenting work ethic, mastery of personal injury law and total devotion to her cases. Her practice focuses on claimant-side maximum severity catastrophic injury matters, group actions and sexual abuse work. Much of her abuse work centres on children and abuse in institutions. She is valued for her knowledge of complex quantum issues.

    • Elizabeth-Anne Gumbel KC is in a field of her own. She is outstanding in every area. She has an excellent approach with clients and delivers strong results.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Liz-Anne has a fierce intellect, and her ability to think around problems and come up with innovative solutions is remarkable. She has a work ethic that is unsurpassed.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • She is a fearless advocate for her clients, and always prepared to pursue even the most difficult cases with determination and skill.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Her combination of expertise, approachability and unwavering commitment makes her an outstanding choice. Clients can always rely on her to steer complex cases to successful conclusions.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
  • Star IndividualsJustin Levinson
    Star IndividualsJustin Levinson

    Justin Levinson

    Justin Levinson is a leading senior junior for claimant-side child abuse litigation. He has an exceptional reputation and practically unrivalled experience in claims against the Anglican and Catholic Churches. He routinely represents clients in actions brought against nearly every class of defendant, including individuals, educational institutions, social services departments, schools, care homes and youth organisations.

    • Justin is excellent with clients. He takes a gentle but straightforward approach underpinned by his excellent expertise.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • He is a leading barrister in regards to child abuse law. He is a go-to for claimants and is very well known and respected in this space as the country's leading specialist.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Justin is hugely experienced, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to every case he handles. Justin’s sensible approach ensures that clients receive thoughtful and effective representation.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Justin Levinson is the go-to for abuse cases. His knowledge of this area is outstanding.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Henry Witcomb
    Band 1Henry Witcomb

    Henry Witcomb

    Henry Witcomb KC is an advocate of tremendous renown given his compelling advocacy in complex group actions and historic sexual abuse claims. He is a leading clinical negligence practitioner and is well versed in catastrophic personal injury claims. He predominantly acts for claimants, and is proficient at dealing with complex quantum and causation issues. He is also well versed in RTA and criminal injury claims. He has substantial experience acting for clients in inquest proceedings.

    • Henry has an unparalleled knowledge in law relating to the care of children but also involving other classes of personal injury and clinical negligence claimants.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • He is an extremely efficient advocate who gets points across. Judges listen and he is an expert in his field. He is kind and empathetic.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Henry Witcomb KC is a fantastically detailed barrister who has the details in his grasp at short notice while always remaining focused on the client.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Hannah Saxena
    Band 2Hannah Saxena

    Hannah Saxena

    Hannah Saxena is regularly instructed by both defendant and claimant firms in high-value multi-track claims. She is experienced in the handling of cases involving catastrophic injury, fatal accidents and chronic pain. She often acts in cases arising from motor accidents.

    • Hannah has consistently impressed. She has a solid grasp of the issues at hand and fully understands the commercial realities underpinning the case.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Hannah Saxena quickly gets to grips with the most complex issues on liability and quantum. Clients like the fact that her advice is straightforward and considers their commercial concerns.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Hannah Saxena stands out for her expertise and dedication. She demonstrated an exceptional understanding of the intricacies of the case, providing clear and insightful guidance.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Hannah demonstrates excellent attention to detail of expert evidence, has an effective manner with experts in conference and is robust in her advocacy.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Hannah was very well organised and good at marshalling a lot of detail. She distils a clear and sensible path towards a common goal.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Iain O'Donnell
    Band 2Iain O'Donnell

    Iain O'Donnell

    Iain O'Donnell is well regarded for his expert knowledge of child abuse compensation law and adroit handling of a wide range of high-value historic abuse claims. He has experience acting in claims brought against several institutions, including residential schools and the Anglican and Catholic Churches.

    • Iain O'Donnell is a barrister who is able to mix great legal acumen with good client care and commercial consideration.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Iain has a great client manner and is always very compassionate. He is also very good at cutting through detail to know what needs to be done.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Iain demonstrates sound judgement and fights for his clients.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Shahram Sharghy
    Band 2Shahram Sharghy

    Shahram Sharghy

    Shahram Sharghy has an established catastrophic injury practice where he predominantly represents claimants. His matters largely relate to claimants injured in road traffic collisions.

    • Shahram has an exceptional eye for detail and provides invaluable support to the claimant and legal representatives.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Shahram is incredibly sharp and can foresee complex issues far down the road to build the most robust case. He is a fierce negotiator who holds no prisoners.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Shahram's attention to detail is exceptional, and he provided a great service to both his solicitors and clients. He really cares about the clients he represents and leaves nothing to chance.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Robert Kellar
    Band 3Robert Kellar

    Robert Kellar

    Robert Kellar KC has a wide-ranging personal injury practice with an emphasis on abuse litigation. He takes instructions from defendants and claimants, and has a broad understanding of quantum, liability and causation in accidents at work and on the road.

    • Robert is a pleasure to work with. He is a strong negotiator and provides thorough advice.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • He is excellent. He is technically incredibly sound and commercially savvy.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Robert Kellar was fair, firm, even-handed and clearly capable. He was a fluent advocate.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
  • Up and ComingThomas Beamont
    Up and ComingThomas Beamont

    Thomas Beamont

    Thomas Beamont is a rising talent in the field of personal injury. He handles a range of claims, both led and unled, with a specialism in abuse matters. He also has experience in a broader range of personal injury claims including injuries at work and fatalities.

    • Thomas Beamont has strong technical ability and knowledge of the area. An up-and-coming star, Thomas often thinks outside the box to obtain successful results.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Tom is a rising star and despite his years being relatively junior, this does not hold him back. He is tenacious and inspiring.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Tom is supremely bright and talented, he works hard and does a great job. He is working far beyond his years and is another star of the future.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at 1 Crown Office Row (8)

London (Bar)

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