Department profile
Crown Office Chambers

Personal Injury

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


Crown Office Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Personal Injury - London (Bar)

Band 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

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerking team go above and beyond. Greg Frewin is the stalwart of the team, always on hand to present solutions.

    Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
  • They are an excellent clerking team. They bend over backwards to help.

    Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
  • Senior clerk James Wilkinson is excellent and always meets our needs.

    Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
  • Crown Office clerking is brilliant. They are very experienced.

    Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
  • Crown Office Chambers clerks are very friendly, helpful and efficient.

    Personal Injury respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Alexander Antelme
    Band 1Alexander Antelme

    Alexander Antelme

    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.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Catherine Foster
    Band 1Catherine Foster

    Catherine Foster

    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.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Catherine is a fantastic barrister. She is good all-round and always happy to help.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Catherine is hard-working and a superb advocate.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Christopher Kennedy
    Band 1Christopher Kennedy

    Christopher Kennedy

    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.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • 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.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Christopher is an excellent lawyer who is technically brilliant, commercial, pragmatic and approachable. He always goes above and beyond.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • 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.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1David Platt KC
    Band 1David Platt KC

    David Platt KC

    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.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • 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.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Patrick Blakesley
    Band 1Patrick Blakesley

    Patrick Blakesley

    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.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • 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.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Patrick is hard-working and bright with a razor-sharp intellect. A superb advocate.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • He is an incredibly persuasive advocate with superior client care and commercial awareness.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Patrick has a lovely manner with clients and is a tower of strength.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Shaun Ferris
    Band 1Shaun Ferris

    Shaun Ferris

    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.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • 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.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • He is always thoroughly prepared, and you know you are in safe hands.

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

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2A John Williams
    Band 2A John Williams

    A John Williams

    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.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • 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.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • John has a forensic and analytical mind. He is an outstanding tactician who is brilliant on his feet.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Andrew Davis
    Band 2Andrew Davis

    Andrew Davis

    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.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Andrew is very experienced and highly skilled. He is very user-friendly and takes a pragmatic and commercial approach.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • 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.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • 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.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Andrew is a barrister of colossal quality. He delivers outstanding service standards as well as ridiculously good advice.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Michael Kent
    Band 2Michael Kent

    Michael Kent

    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.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Michael Kent KC is a huge name.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Michael Kent KC is one of the brightest silks often in the Court of Appeal. He is very impressive.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Gemma Witherington
    Band 3Gemma Witherington

    Gemma Witherington

    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.

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

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Gemma is exceptionally sharp. She is tactically and technically great.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Jamie Clarke
    Band 3Jamie Clarke

    Jamie Clarke

    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.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Jamie is thorough and analytical. His pleadings are excellent, and he is great in conferences with clients.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Jamie Clarke is a go-to senior junior.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Peter Houghton
    Band 3Peter Houghton

    Peter Houghton

    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.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • 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.

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

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

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • He provides first-class service and great attention to detail.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Alexander Macpherson
    Band 4Alexander Macpherson

    Alexander Macpherson

    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.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • He is clear in his advice, has a good manner and achieved excellent results.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Alexander is an impressive barrister who is approachable.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Jack Macaulay
    Band 4Jack Macaulay

    Jack Macaulay

    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.

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

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Jack gives strong advice and is a great negotiator.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Rory Holmes
    Band 4Rory Holmes

    Rory Holmes

    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.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • 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.

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

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • Rory Holmes has impressive attention to detail and commercial insight.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Suzanne Chalmers
    Band 4Suzanne Chalmers

    Suzanne Chalmers

    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.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
    • 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.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Crown Office Chambers (16)

London (Bar)

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