Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Personal Injury - London (Bar)

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Crown Office Chambers is highly regarded for its "excellent depth and range of barristers from juniors to KCs." Members are regularly instructed in high-value matters involving catastrophic injuries and fatalities, and undertake work on behalf of both claimants and defendants, including several major insurers. Complex industrial disease claims and large group actions are also core areas of strength for the set, and its barristers field considerable expertise in difficult quantum disputes and claims involving questions surrounding liability. Members successfully represented Folsana Pressed Steel Sections in Cavanaugh v Folsana Pressed Sections Limited, where the Claimant, a previous employee, alleged psychiatric damages.

Strengths

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Notable Practitioners

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1
Alexander Antelme
1
Band 1

Joint head of chambers Alexander Antelme KC is particularly highly thought of for his adept representation of both claimant and defendant clients in catastrophic injury claims. He is noted for his expertise in fatal accident claims. He has a deep knowledge of complex medical causation and liability issues.

Alexander is excellent.

1
Catherine Foster
1
Band 1

Catherine Foster splits her practice between complex industrial disease, historic child abuse and serious personal injury litigation. She represents both claimants and defendants, and is the first choice for many local authorities in high-profile group actions. She is also recognised for her adroit handling of occupational stress claims.

Kate is an outstanding senior junior who leads the field. She is an especially strong advocate, and one often feels sorry for her opponents as she regularly outperforms them.

Catherine is a fantastic barrister. She is good all-round and always happy to help.

Catherine is hard-working and a superb advocate.

1
Christopher Kennedy
1
Band 1

Christopher Kennedy KC is a highly regarded personal injury barrister operating both in London and on the Northern Circuit. He is often instructed in catastrophic injury claims and is well versed in the representation of vulnerable individuals who have been injured while in the care of institutions. He has experience handling claims involving allegations of dishonesty and those arising out of motor accidents.

Chris is undoubtedly one of the smartest silks in catastrophic injury work. He is incredibly effective and efficient with clients.

He is very good at considering vast amounts of information very quickly, and identifying all relevant issues. He is very user-friendly. His ability on his feet, his court technique, is excellent.

Christopher is an excellent lawyer who is technically brilliant, commercial, pragmatic and approachable. He always goes above and beyond.

Christopher Kennedy KC is an outstanding KC dealing with the most complex catastrophic personal injury cases. He is a go-to in the most severe cases.

1
David Platt KC
1
Band 1

David Platt KC is a prominent silk with notable expertise encompassing traditional asbestos claims and the burgeoning fields of industrial and occupational disease litigation. Instructed by both claimant and defendant solicitors, he also has extensive experience of handling catastrophic injury claims. He is particularly noted for being instructed in group action cases.

David is a Rolls-Royce of a silk. His written work is fantastic, and he is absolutely on top of the detail. He is a superb advocate.

David's attention to detail, his ability to make complex matters understandable, his client care and his written work are outstanding. His advocacy is first-class; he is understated but forensic.

1
Patrick Blakesley
1
Band 1

Patrick Blakesley KC is a heavy-hitting barrister who is instructed by both claimant and defendant solicitors in catastrophic brain and spinal injury claims. He is also adept at handling fatal accident claims and cases involving allegations of fraud. He is noted for his knowledge of claims arising from workplace accidents and harassment.

Patrick is absolutely superb on complex and catastrophic injury cases.

A long-time leader in his field and a go-to for virtually every insurer in catastrophic work, Patrick is second to none with clients. He is incredibly commercial and practical in his advice.

Patrick is hard-working and bright with a razor-sharp intellect. A superb advocate.

He is an incredibly persuasive advocate with superior client care and commercial awareness.

Patrick has a lovely manner with clients and is a tower of strength.

1
Shaun Ferris
1
Band 1

Shaun Ferris is a highly regarded senior junior whose personal injury practice includes product liability disputes. He frequently acts for insurers and defendants in catastrophic injury claims, and has notable experience handling brain and spinal injury cases involving workplace and road traffic accidents. He is also recognised for his expertise in fatal accident claims.

Shaun has excellent knowledge and advocacy skills, as well as being commercially aware. He is very friendly and approachable, and he is always our first choice for any high-value complex matters.

A brilliant tactician, Shaun is concise and commercially sensible. Clients love working with him. Shaun cuts through the complexity of cases with ease, delivering results in tricky cases.

He is always thoroughly prepared, and you know you are in safe hands.

Shaun Ferris has a rare ability to cut through complex issues and intricacies in the evidence, and present a persuasive argument.

2
A John Williams
2
Band 2

John Williams is an authority on occupational illness litigation, with a pre-eminent asbestos disease and catastrophic injury defence practice. He has extensive experience in psychiatric injury, fatal accidents and complex workplace injury claims. He is sought after by major insurers for representation in the higher courts.

John Williams has excellent attention to detail and a great knowledge of liability and quantum issues. He provides clear, concise and practical advice.

When it comes to complicated, sensitive, high-value matters of reputational importance to the client, John Williams is a first-choice candidate. He is a superb advocate.

John has a forensic and analytical mind. He is an outstanding tactician who is brilliant on his feet.

2
Andrew Davis
2
Band 2

Andrew Davis KC is regularly instructed by defendants in significant brain and spinal injury claims. He also takes on fatal accident and disease instructions, and is often chosen for cases where there are novel or unusual legal complications. He frequently acts in cases involving allegations of fraud. His broader practice includes insurance and commercial disputes.

Andrew has excellent attention to detail: he is very thorough, and his preparation is always excellent.

Andrew is very experienced and highly skilled. He is very user-friendly and takes a pragmatic and commercial approach.

Andrew is a go-to silk for complex cases against difficult opponents, demonstrating mastery and profound technical knowledge in all areas of catastrophic injury work.

He is definitely at the top of his field. He gives clear and prompt advice and know his stuff. He understands the medical side of things extremely well. He has done an extraordinarily good job.

Andrew is a barrister of colossal quality. He delivers outstanding service standards as well as ridiculously good advice.

2
Michael Kent KC
2
Band 2

Michael Kent KC is an esteemed practitioner with an impressively broad practice catering to both claimants and defendants. His claims relate to a diverse range of matters, including industrial disease, historic child abuse, catastrophic injuries and psychiatric conditions. He frequently appears before the highest courts in the UK, including the Supreme Court, and has acted in numerous test and group actions.

Michael is an excellent lawyer and advocate.

Michael Kent KC is a huge name.

Michael Kent KC is one of the brightest silks often in the Court of Appeal. He is very impressive.

3
Gemma Witherington
3
Band 3

Gemma Witherington has a diverse personal injury practice encompassing expertise in psychiatric injuries and fatalities. She also acts in major group litigation on behalf of defendants.

Gemma Witherington was brilliant. She was technically excellent.

She excels with clients and her pleadings are exceptional in detail. Her attention to detail is first-class and her legal advice is exceptional.

Gemma is exceptionally sharp. She is tactically and technically great.

Jamie Clarke
3
Jamie Clarke
3
Band 3

Jamie Clarke is a highly sought-after personal injury barrister with experience handling complex catastrophic injury claims on behalf of insurers. He is also noted for his expertise in fatal accident cases, including those involving allegations of fundamental dishonesty.

He remains at the top of his game. His dedication, tenacity and forensic skills are second to none.

Jamie is thorough and analytical. His pleadings are excellent, and he is great in conferences with clients.

Jamie Clarke is a go-to senior junior.

3
Peter Houghton
3
Band 3

Peter Houghton is an experienced personal injury practitioner who is well versed in multi-track claims. He acts for both claimants and defendants and has significant expertise in complex quantum disputes. His broad practice encompasses cases involving chronic pain conditions and serious brain injuries.

Peter is a master of technical issues. He is incredibly effective with complex causation issues, liability and quantum.

Peter has an ability to deal with complex matters with a thoroughness and analysis that is exemplary. He is often able to accommodate problematic files and always delivers a great service.

Peter has produced some excellent technical pleadings and statements and continues to be a go-to barrister to instruct for complex technical procedure points.

Peter has a likeable down-to-earth and practical approach to dealing with claims and his sound advice on liability and quantum issues.

He provides first-class service and great attention to detail.

4
Alexander Macpherson
4
Band 4

Alexander Macpherson has a well-established personal injury practice handling catastrophic injury claims, as well as a broader range of matters arising from road traffic accidents and accidents at work. He acts for defendants, including those facing employers' liability claims and local authorities.

Alex is one of the best juniors at the Bar. His courtroom skills are calm and unflappable. His advice is concise and to the point.

He is clear in his advice, has a good manner and achieved excellent results.

Alexander is an impressive barrister who is approachable.

4
Jack Macaulay
4
Band 4

Jack Macaulay's personal injury practice encompasses catastrophic injury and industrial disease matters, among other areas. He regularly acts on behalf of defendants in cases relating to accidents at work and motor accidents.

Jack is very thorough, and leaves no stone unturned. He is an excellent advocate, but also provides excellent written advice in a timely fashion.

Jack is always friendly and approachable, and he has demonstrated exceptional attention to detail with all aspects of the case.

Jack gives strong advice and is a great negotiator.

4
Rory Holmes
4
Band 4

Rory Holmes is experienced in the handling of complex and high-value personal injury claims on behalf of both claimants and defendants. He is well versed in a wide range of proceedings, including fatal accident claims and cases involving vicarious liability issues.

Rory is considered and thorough with his preparation. He has a lovely ability to put clients at ease.

Rory works exceptionally hard for his clients. He gets excellent outcomes, which are reflective of his skills in advocacy and exceptional preparatory work. He is always our first port of call.

Rory Holmes is impressive, knowledgeable and very persuasive on his feet. He is easy to work with and gets results.

Rory Holmes has impressive attention to detail and commercial insight.

Suzanne Chalmers
4
Suzanne Chalmers
4
Band 4

Suzanne Chalmers is a well-respected senior junior with notable experience handling catastrophic injuries and fatalities. She often acts for insurers in cases arising from motor accidents. Alongside personal injury, she is also recognised for her property damage expertise.

Suzanne knows her stuff and is not afraid to fight her corner.

Suzanne is always well prepared and very thorough with experts. Insurers find her advice reassuring and practical. She provides an excellent level of client service.

Ranked Barristers at
Crown Office Chambers

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Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

London (Bar)

Personal Injury

1
Alexander Antelme KC
1
Band 1
1
Christopher Kennedy KC
1
Band 1
1
David Platt KC
1
Band 1
1
Patrick Blakesley KC
1
Band 1
2
Andrew Davis KC
2
Band 2
2
Michael Kent KC
2
Band 2

Juniors

London (Bar)

Personal Injury

1
Catherine Foster
1
Band 1
1
Shaun Ferris
1
Band 1
2
A John Williams
2
Band 2
3
Gemma Witherington
3
Band 3
Jamie Clarke
3
Jamie Clarke
3
Band 3
3
Peter Houghton
3
Band 3
4
Alexander Macpherson
4
Band 4
4
Jack Macaulay
4
Band 4
4
Rory Holmes
4
Band 4
Suzanne Chalmers
4
Suzanne Chalmers
4
Band 4