Chambers Review

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Personal Injury: Industrial Disease - All Circuits

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

12 King's Bench Walk is widely acclaimed as "a leading set in asbestos disease litigation" with "unparalleled depth and breadth" across the practice area. The set's tenants are regularly instructed in complex mesothelioma claims arising from asbestos exposure. Members are also highly regarded for their expertise in large-scale group actions, and the team has significant experience handling claims for noise-induced hearing loss and non-freezing cold injuries brought by service personnel against the MoD. Recent work for the set includes Johnstone v Fawcett’s Garage, a potentially highly consequential low-exposure fatal mesothelioma case before the Court of Appeal.

Oliver Parkhouse is director of clerking.

Strengths

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Notable Practitioners

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Gemma Scott
1
Gemma Scott
1
Band 1

Gemma Scott is a junior barrister who is widely praised for her adroit handling of industrial disease claims and client-relationship skills. She often appears as sole counsel in high-value cases and has experience handling large group actions. She frequently acts for claimants suffering from lung cancer and mesothelioma.

She brings a meticulous and thoughtful approach to her cases, combining strong technical knowledge with clear, well-reasoned advocacy. She is a valuable asset on complex and sensitive matters.

Gemma is a first-class asbestos-claims specialist. She has represented claimants at the highest level and her technical knowledge and aptitude cannot be doubted.

Gemma is an absolute expert in the field of asbestos disease. She is thorough, approachable and has an excellent manner with clients.

Ivan Bowley
1
Ivan Bowley
1
Band 1

Ivan Bowley has an enviable reputation for his expertise in industrial disease and workplace injury cases, including asbestos and silicosis claims. He is regularly instructed in group actions.

He has unrivalled experience with historical heavy-industry disease claims. His advocacy is first rate and he is excellent with clients in conference. His written advice is insightful and pragmatic.

He inspires confidence and delivers clear, no-nonsense advice. Ivan is a highly effective cross-examiner who consistently brings clarity and precision to the most challenging cases.

Ivan is great on complex cases, where he can quickly cut through to the key issues. He is thorough in his analysis of volumes of evidence. His advocacy style is firm and unflappable.

Niall Maclean
1
Niall Maclean
1
Band 1

Niall Maclean is a highly regarded personal injury junior noted for his expertise in claims stemming from exposure to biological hazards, chemicals and noise. He is regularly instructed in complex asbestos cases involving tricky causation, liability and limitation issues.

Niall Maclean is extremely quick to analyse and advise in tricky quantum cases, in particular.

Niall Maclean has great attention to detail and is always a good man to have on your side.

Niall Maclean is exceptionally bright.

Patrick Kerr
1
Patrick Kerr
1
Band 1

Patrick Kerr is an experienced personal injury barrister noted for his expert representation of mesothelioma victims in complex industrial disease claims.

Patrick's unique approach and way of thinking has helped achieve prompt resolution in many cases.

Patrick Kerr is very experienced in asbestos disease matters and shows good judgement in settlement negotiations.

He is very sharp and confident in asbestos disease claims.

Patrick Kerr has a brilliant mind and displays the sort of empathy that makes clients immediately warm to him. He never shies away from technically difficult cases.

Patrick is a good advocate who establishes instant rapport with clients. He is surefooted and caring. He is tough with opponents.

David Green
2
David Green
2
Band 2

David Green is noted for his disease practice. He acts on a range of issues, covering both asbestos and military-related claims. He is often instructed on group action matters.

David has a lovely manner with clients and has great attention to detail. His written advice is thorough and clear.

His key strength is his knowledge and understanding of technical medical side. He is very good in conferences and good with clients.

David gives clear and accurate advice and can turn papers around quickly when necessary.

James Pickering
2
James Pickering
2
Band 2

James Pickering is regularly instructed to act on behalf of claimants in mesothelioma claims. He is also noted for his work in relation to group actions brought by military personnel suffering hearing loss and non-freezing cold injuries.

James has a Rolls-Royce brain and eye for detail.

James Pickering is very reliable. He is thoughtful, thorough and extremely good in conference when advising clients on highly sensitive and emotive subjects.

James is unbelievably brainy and very good at distilling difficult issues into simple, clear digestible notes and advice.

James Pickering has excellent command of the area. His attention to detail is phenomenal and he is very good with clients.

Michael Brace
2
Michael Brace
2
Band 2

Michael Brace has vast experience handling a wide range of cases across the areas of industrial disease, clinical negligence and personal injury. He has a particular focus on asbestos disease claims, specifically those concerning mesothelioma and pleural plaques. He attracts praise for his tact when representing employees in sensitive matters.

Michael knows his stuff in asbestos-related cases and has a very pragmatic approach.

Mike has a total understanding of all aspects of asbestos-related disease litigation, huge attention to detail and a very quick turnaround time.

Michael Brace has great communication skills with clients.

Michael Brace is a very knowledgeable asbestos disease practitioner. He deals with problems in hearings calmly. He is very pleasant to work with and a solid asbestos counsel.

Rachit Buch
2
Rachit Buch
2
Band 2

Rachit Buch primarily acts for claimants on asbestos-related cases. His experience extends to noise-induced hearing loss claims.

Rachit is an outstanding barrister. He has strong attention to detail and a great bedside manner with clients.

Rachit is very experienced and this is demonstrated by his attention to detail and concise advice about what steps need to be taken to overcome any issues. His client care skills are second to none.

Rachit Buch is a pleasure to work with and consistently delivers excellent results. His strategic insight and calm, confident advocacy make him highly effective in achieving successful outcomes.

Steven Snowden
2
Steven Snowden
2
Band 2

Steven Snowden KC is a prominent lawyer who acts for both claimants and defendants in the most complex and high-profile occupational disease cases. He is experienced in cases where claimants have been exposed to toxic substances, have been left with occupational asthma or have suffered from upper limb disorders.

Steven is the leading silk in industrial disease and personal injury. He has fantastic advocacy skills and nothing fazes him in court. His attention to detail is second to none.

Steven is extremely strong in asbestos disease claims. He is incredibly and disarmingly polite.

Cressida Mawdesley-Thomas
U
Cressida Mawdesley-Thomas
U
Up and Coming

Cressida Mawdesley-Thomas is a rising talent at the industrial disease Bar. She often acts for claimants regarding asbestos-related disease, including in claims regarding mesothelioma and benign asbestosis. She has experience acting unled.

Cressida Mawdesley-Thomas is knowledgeable, efficient and very pleasant to deal with.

Cressida has a pleasant manner with clients, and her written advice is thorough and clear.

Cressida is a real up-and-coming junior with the willingness to take on difficult cases and fight them. She is building a reputation for herself as a fierce advocate and has a real eye for detail.

Helen Waller
U
Helen Waller
U
Up and Coming

Helen Waller is an up-and-coming junior with a strong focus on industrial disease claims. She regularly handles a variety of cases concerning asbestos-related disease. She has experience in appellate cases as well as in fatal mesothelioma claims. Waller predominantly acts for claimants.

She is a joy to work with and exceptional with clients. She has prepared very detailed and complex schedules in cases and taken the lead in complex industrial disease cases.

Helen is a real up-and-coming talent. She has a lovely manner and is always very responsive to questions.

Spencer Turner
U
Spencer Turner
U
Up and Coming

Spencer Turner is a rising talent with experience handling disease claims. He is regularly instructed on mesothelioma claims, including those with secondary exposure. He is also developing expertise in a broader range of industrial disease categories, including hearing loss and non-freezing cold injuries.

Spencer Turner is very clever and has a great touch.

Spencer's written work is strong.

John-Paul Swoboda
John-Paul Swoboda
New Silks

John-Paul Swoboda KC's broad practice encompasses clinical negligence matters and asbestos litigation. He is particularly adept at handling low-level exposure mesothelioma claims and is also well regarded for his ability to deal with cases involving complex quantum issues.

John-Paul has a calm and reassuring manner with clients, and his written advice is through and clear. He is a competent and confident lawyer.

He provides a forensic attention to detail when analysing evidence and brings real tactical insight to every case. A clear and confident advocate, he communicates complex issues easily.

John-Paul is a definite go-to counsel on complex and difficult asbestos matters. He is extremely experienced and has worked on leading cases.

John-Paul Swoboda has fantastic advocacy skills and is one of the lead barristers in asbestos disease litigation.

Ranked Barristers at
12 King's Bench Walk

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Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

All Circuits

Personal Injury: Industrial Disease

Steven Snowden KC
2
Steven Snowden KC
2
Band 2
John-Paul Swoboda KC
John-Paul Swoboda KC
New Silks

Juniors

All Circuits

Personal Injury: Industrial Disease

Gemma Scott
1
Gemma Scott
1
Band 1
Ivan Bowley
1
Ivan Bowley
1
Band 1
Niall Maclean
1
Niall Maclean
1
Band 1
Patrick Kerr
1
Patrick Kerr
1
Band 1
David Green
2
David Green
2
Band 2
James Pickering
2
James Pickering
2
Band 2
Michael Brace
2
Michael Brace
2
Band 2
Rachit Buch
2
Rachit Buch
2
Band 2
Cressida Mawdesley-Thomas
U
Cressida Mawdesley-Thomas
U
Up and Coming
Helen Waller
U
Helen Waller
U
Up and Coming
Spencer Turner
U
Spencer Turner
U
Up and Coming