Department profile
Crown Office Chambers

Personal Injury: Industrial Disease

UK Bar Guide 2026 : All Circuits


Crown Office Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

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Personal Injury: Industrial Disease - All Circuits

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Crown Office Chambers is highly acclaimed as a set with "excellent depth of knowledge and experience for industrial disease work." Members are highly regarded for their representation of defendants in complex mesothelioma, noise-induced hearing loss and hand-arm vibration cases, and regularly appear in the most high-profile cases in the market. Standout recent work includes White v Secretary of State for Health & Social Care, a highly significant asbestos case before the Court of Appeal.

James Wilkinson is the senior clerk.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerks are always swift in dealing with queries and providing availability of counsel for conference and trials.

    Personal Injury: Industrial Disease respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are accommodating, not just in relation to matters, but also regarding training requests or client needs. They help out and get involved.

    Personal Injury: Industrial Disease respondentUK Bar
  • It is an efficient and helpful clerking team. The clerks are always knowledgeable and helpful.

    Personal Injury: Industrial Disease respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Star IndividualsDavid Platt KC
    Star IndividualsDavid Platt KC

    David Platt KC

    David Platt KC has built a strong occupational illness practice covering ailments, including occupational asthma, dermatitis and lung cancer. He also fields expertise in toxic mould litigation. He earns praise from claimant and defendant solicitors alike and frequently acts in multi-claimant litigation.

    • David is a first rank silk.

      Personal Injury: Industrial Disease respondentUK Bar
    • There is no question that David Platt is a go-to industrial disease defence silk.

      Personal Injury: Industrial Disease respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1A John Williams
    Band 1A John Williams

    A John Williams

    John Williams is instructed in the leading industrial disease cases in the country. He is an expert in claims concerning mesothelioma, noise-induced hearing loss and stress at work. He also has substantial expertise in handling fatal and psychiatric injury claims. He receives a steady stream of instructions from insurance companies and other clients.

    • John Williams has a keen legal mind and not only identifies the issues but is able to distinguish the most salient ones to secure the best results.

      Personal Injury: Industrial Disease respondentUK Bar
    • His experience is unmatched in disease litigation. He provides clear and comprehensive advice for clients.

      Personal Injury: Industrial Disease respondentUK Bar
    • He is excellent on the detail of a case and on analysis of the issues.

      Personal Injury: Industrial Disease respondentUK Bar
    • He is an excellent counsel.

      Personal Injury: Industrial Disease respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Alexander Macpherson
    Band 1Alexander Macpherson

    Alexander Macpherson

    Alexander MacPherson primarily acts in the defence of clients in significant industrial disease and personal injury cases. He has an impressively deep understanding of areas stretching beyond asbestos diseases, offering enviable expertise in cases involving noise-induced hearing loss and hand-arm vibration syndrome.

    • Alex is great barrister to deal with. His advice is nicely tailored for each client and he has a great manner.

      Personal Injury: Industrial Disease respondentUK Bar
    • Alex is a trusted adviser and advocate. He is always helpful, responsive and the quality of his work is excellent.

      Personal Injury: Industrial Disease respondentUK Bar
    • He is a very effective defendant barrister.

      Personal Injury: Industrial Disease respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Catherine Foster
    Band 1Catherine Foster

    Catherine Foster

    Catherine Foster is a vastly experienced personal injury specialist. She covers catastrophic injury and historic sexual abuse work, and is particularly noted for her expertise in occupational illness cases. She represents both defendants and claimants. She is experienced in the handling of disease group actions.

    • She is an excellent advocate who knows how to pick the right arguments to run with.

      Personal Injury: Industrial Disease respondentUK Bar
    • Catherine is a formidable counsel and a very safe pair of hands. She has an in-depth knowledge of a broad range of disease matters and is a trusted partner.

      Personal Injury: Industrial Disease respondentUK Bar
    • Catherine Foster is experienced, personable and has an excellent commercial approach.

      Personal Injury: Industrial Disease respondentUK Bar
    • Catherine is a keen advocate and provides clear and no-nonsense advice. She is a solid lawyer. She is approachable and always prepared to provide advice on difficult legal points.

      Personal Injury: Industrial Disease respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Michael Kent
    Band 1Michael Kent

    Michael Kent

    Michael Kent KC covers the full spectrum of personal injury. His industrial disease practice sees him regularly handle cases brought for asbestos exposure, noise-induced hearing loss and dermatitis. He represents both claimants and defendants in individual and class actions. He has experience handling claims involving contaminated blood products, water pollution and CJD from human growth hormone.

    • He is a go-to guy for insurers on disease matters.

      Personal Injury: Industrial Disease respondentUK Bar
    • Michael is in the very first rank for silks. He delivers very, very good advocacy. It is extremely polished.

      Personal Injury: Industrial Disease respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Peter Houghton
    Band 1Peter Houghton

    Peter Houghton

    Peter Houghton primarily acts for defendants in a wide range of industrial disease matters. He has considerable experience handling cases involving asbestos exposure, noise-induced hearing loss and hand-arm vibration syndrome.

    • Peter is an excellent and totally solid practitioner doing asbestos work. He knows what he is doing.

      Personal Injury: Industrial Disease respondentUK Bar
    • Peter is a great barrister to deal with. He is excellent with clients and his attention to detail is second to none. His pleadings are the best in the disease arena.

      Personal Injury: Industrial Disease respondentUK Bar
    • Peter has an excellent forensic approach to complicated, fact-driven cases. A realistic commercial stance will be taken where required, and he is supportive and quick to respond.

      Personal Injury: Industrial Disease respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Crown Office Chambers (6)

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