Department profile
39 Essex Chambers

Clinical Negligence

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


39 Essex Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Clinical Negligence - London (Bar)

Band 3

Band 3


What the Team is Known For

39 Essex Chambers is considered a "top quality" set who have "real strength in depth". Its members bring "compassion and empathy" and are regularly called on to represent both injured claimants and defendants, such as NHS Resolution, healthcare insurers and several medical defence organisations, in the full range of clinical negligence claims. Members are experienced in the handling of complex cases involving allegations of negligent treatment and delayed and missed diagnoses, and are noted for their expertise in both individual and group actions. The set is also regarded as a go-to for difficult and high-value claims in developing areas of law, such as in AD v Frimley Hospital NHS Trust, a wrongful birth claim arising from failures to report genetic testing.

Jamie Tucker is the senior practice manager for clinical negligence, personal injury, litigation funding and costs.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • We have good relationships with the clerks there and they work with us well, they knows the team and they understand the dynamics of our firm.

    Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • The chambers has exceptional clerking and approachability.

    Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • The clerking team is fantastic.

    Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks always happy to help.

    Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are always impressively responsive, approachable and, above all, helpful. If there is a problem, they are proactive in seeking a solution.

    Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Neil Block
    Band 1Neil Block

    Neil Block

    Neil Block KC is a silk with a comprehensive understanding of the full spectrum of clinical negligence law. He is admired for the depth of his intellect and experience and he has an exclusively defendant practice, handling a range of cases for health authorities, NHS Resolution and professional insurers. He heads the clinical negligence team at the set and specialises in high-value spinal injury and birth trauma claims.

    • Neil manages to be tough but reasonable at the same time.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • He is sensible and user-friendly.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • He is a most trusted adviser with decades of experience to support fine judgement and elite commercial awareness. Instructing lawyers and clients alike appreciate his user-friendly manner.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Judith Ayling
    Band 2Judith Ayling

    Judith Ayling

    Judith Ayling KC is a committed clinical negligence barrister who predominantly represents defendants in high-value cases. She demonstrates particular expertise in cases concerning brain and spinal injuries. She also excels at dealing with cost issues.

    • She is fantastic.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • She is user-friendly and provides innovative solutions.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • She is absolutely brilliant with outstanding insight and foreshadowing skills.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • She is very knowledgeable, academically superb and has very good judgement.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • She is great to work with, responsive and approachable.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Susan Rodway
    Band 2Susan Rodway

    Susan Rodway

    Susan Rodway KC is widely admired by peers and commentators for her active involvement in landmark decisions within the field of clinical negligence. She has over 30 years of experience handling medical claims. She focuses her practice predominantly on claimant work, undertaking serious cases, some of which involve international claimants. Her experience includes numerous catastrophic birth injury claims.

    • She was really impressive and a bullish, fearless advocate.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • She is absolutely devoted to getting the best deal for the client and is good fun to work with.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • She is determined, passionate, available when needed, approachable, experienced and knowledgeable.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Charlie Cory-Wright
    Band 3Charlie Cory-Wright

    Charlie Cory-Wright

    Charles Cory-Wight KC is a well-regarded silk who represents claimants and defendants in equal measure. He has particular experience in birth injury and secondary victim claims.

    • He is an extraordinarily approachable chap.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Charlie is Incredibly intelligent, with great attention to detail and he is also a terrific advocate. Clients love him and opponents respect him.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Charlie is excellent in all respects. Above all, he is a fantastic leader whilst also being a brilliant team player. He listens as well as advises.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Emily Formby
    Band 3Emily Formby

    Emily Formby

    Emily Formby KC is an acclaimed barrister with extensive experience of clinical negligence litigation. She handles a diverse caseload on behalf of both claimants and defendants, including matters relating to birth trauma injuries, failed diagnoses and wrongful treatment. She is a qualified mediator as well as a litigator.

    • Her client care stands out, she is exceptional with clients, she always has an agenda ready for a conference, and she is realistic.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Emily's composure in difficult situations is very impressive.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • She is a good all rounder.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • She is a brilliant advocate in court, very well spoken and clear, but also very tough and she knows the issues.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Nicola Greaney
    Band 3Nicola Greaney

    Nicola Greaney

    Nicola Greaney KC is regularly instructed by healthcare providers as well as NHS Resolution and claimants. Her areas of expertise include claims concerning delays in diagnosis, cerebral palsy and catastrophic birth injury. She is also an expert in claims relating to cosmetic surgery. She is a prominent figure in the healthcare regulatory sector.

    • She is excellent.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • She is bright, detailed and has an amazing range of experience.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Daniel Laking
    Band 5Daniel Laking

    Daniel Laking

    Daniel Laking has a very broad clinical negligence practice, acting for claimants and a wide range of defendants including NHS trusts and individual doctors. He also has experience acting on behalf of employers in liability disputes arising from clinical negligence claims.

    • He is easy to deal with and thoughtful.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • He is approachable and responsive, whilst also being incredibly thorough and considered in his advice. He is alive to the commercial realities of the work and has an excellent approach to client care.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • He is very good.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • He is dedicated and passionate.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Emma Corkill
    Band 5Emma Corkill

    Emma Corkill

    Emma Corkill boasts a broad clinical negligence practice in which she acts for both claimants and defendants. She is regularly instructed in birth and brain injury matters as well as delay in diagnosis claims and cases involving consent.

    • She is forensic.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • He is an incredibly safe pair of hands. He is intelligent, astute and pragmatic.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Emma is a brilliant tactician, and has excellent client care skills. She has a forensic approach.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Romilly Cummerson
    Band 5Romilly Cummerson

    Romilly Cummerson

    Romilly Cummerson is an experienced junior with notable expertise across clinical negligence, including in defending group actions. Her experience on cases including surgical errors and wrongful births is bolstered by her thought leadership in clinical negligence.

    • Romilly is always responsive, very thorough and builds good rapport with the client and opposition.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at 39 Essex Chambers (9)

London (Bar)

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