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Deans Court Chambers

Personal Injury

UK Bar Guide 2026 : Northern (Bar)

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Deans Court Chambers

Rankings

About

Provided by Deans Court Chambers

Deans Court Chambers offers expertise in all areas of personal injury litigation, and is widely recognised as one of the country’s leading Chambers in this area.

For many years, Members of Chambers have been involved in cases at all levels, including at the House of Lords and Supreme Court, and for both Claimants and Defendants. Clients are offered an outstanding service, and include insurers, health authorities, local authorities and government bodies, trades unions, small and national companies, as well as individual Claimants and Defendants.

The team is able to offer a full service, dealing with every aspect of personal injury, where necessary in conjunction with and complemented by other teams in Chambers.

Advocacy services cover an unrivalled range of work, including inquests and inquiries, insurance coverage and policy points, recovery and costs, as well as the issues raised in substantive personal injury claims of all values.

We are aware of pressures on costs that there are in litigation. Mediation, joint settlement meetings and other forms of ADR are considered at all levels. We fully understand and apply our clients’ wish to deal with litigation proportionately, whether on the fast-track or for cases of significant value.

Members of our personal injury team accept instructions on a conditional fee basis. Each case is considered on its merits. Details about our conditional fee agreements service can be obtained from our clerks.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Personal Injury - Northern (Bar)

Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Deans Court Chambers consistently operates at a high level in the personal injury market, and its members are well regarded for their expert handling of catastrophic injury, industrial disease and sexual abuse claims. The team is regularly called upon to represent both claimants and defendants, and receives instructions from several major insurers, local authorities and government bodies, as well as private individuals. Recent highlights include defending Bolton MBC in a sensitive case with complex questions of liability where the claimant had been assaulted by a disabled teenager. The set also offers expertise in occupiers' and landlords' liability claims, and its barristers have experience of appearing before the courts at all levels, up to and including the Supreme Court. Instructing solicitors note Deans Court is "a go-to set of chambers."

Matthew Gibbons is the senior clerk.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The service is first rate, prompt and friendly. Clerks will go out of their way to help, especially when deadlines are involved.

    Personal Injury respondentUK Bar

  • Deans Court Chambers clerks are outstanding. They're always happy to assist and go the extra mile.

    Personal Injury respondentUK Bar

  • Deans Court Chambers clerks provide excellent service levels. They are willing to accommodate and work with us.

    Personal Injury respondentUK Bar

  • Anthony Flannigan is an exceptional clerk and is always willing to assist.

    Personal Injury respondentUK Bar

  • The clerking is excellent and they are very quick to respond.

    Personal Injury respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Nicholas Grimshaw
    Nicholas Grimshaw

    Nicholas Grimshaw

    Nicholas Grimshaw acts for defendants, often insurance companies, in high-value multi-track claims. He is experienced in the handling of industrial disease matters and cases involving catastrophic injury and fatal accidents.

    • Nicholas is a very safe pair of hands.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar

    • Nicholas identifies the strengths and weaknesses of cases. He makes rightful concessions and is often spot on.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar

    • Nicholas Grimshaw is unflappable. He is a very safe pair of hands and great with clients. He is my go-to junior for large or complex work.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
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  • Richard Whitehall
    Richard Whitehall

    Richard Whitehall

    Richard Whitehall KC is an experienced barrister who handles all areas of personal injury, primarily focusing on multi-track cases of significant value. He regularly acts in catastrophic injury, RTA and traumatic brain injury claims, and is also very well versed in issues of EL/PL.

    • Richard is a really good, newish silk. He is a really good communicator, is really sensible and gives excellent advice to his clients.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar

    • Richard is an outstanding, brilliant mind but he also brings pragmatism to negotiations.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar

    • Richard is incredibly well prepared, has a razor-sharp intellect and is excellent with clients.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar

    • Richard’s professionalism, clarity and command of cases is thoroughly impressive. He is responsive, well prepared and shows great attention to detail.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
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  • Timothy Horlock
    Timothy Horlock

    Timothy Horlock

    Timothy Horlock KC is a seasoned practitioner known for his expertise in catastrophic injury, EL/PL and serious RTAs. He represents both claimants and defendants, including regularly acting on behalf of the MIB and several insurers.

    • He is very realistic about cases; he cuts through.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar

    • Tim is a class act. He is excellent with clients. He has excellent strategic judgement and always masters the detail. Both clients and opponents respect him. He is always approachable.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar

    • Tim provided crucial input in respect of complex issues, guiding experts in respect of the critical matters to be addressed and clients in respect of the strengths and weaknesses in our position.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar

    • Tim has an utterly commanding presence.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
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  • Simon McCann
    Simon McCann

    Simon McCann

    Simon McCann primarily represents defendants, including insurers, corporate clients and local authorities, particularly those who are facing potentially fraudulent claims. He also has significant experience handling claims involving sports injuries, as well as catastrophic accident, industrial disease He is regularly instructed in cases involving complex evidential issues.

    • Simon is an interesting character and is very effective.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar

    • He has a knack of getting to the heart of a dispute.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar

    • Simon McCann is very good and very knowledgeable.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
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  • Zoe Earnshaw
    Zoe Earnshaw

    Zoe Earnshaw

    Zoe Earnshaw acts for both claimants and defendants in a range of high-value personal injury cases, including those involving catastrophic injuries. She is regularly called upon to handle fundamental dishonesty disputes on behalf of major insurers.

    • Zoe is an excellent opponent in every respect.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar

    • Zoe Earnshaw is thoroughly well prepared and very able.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar

    • Zoe is always meticulous in her preparation, responsive to evolving case dynamics and shows genuine commitment to achieving the best outcome for her clients.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar

    • Zoe provides excellent analysis and forensic consideration of the issues of a complex case. She is easy to work with, and both lay and expert witnesses alike respond well to her in conference.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
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  • Daniel Paul
    Daniel Paul

    Daniel Paul

    Daniel Paul is well regarded for his work in catastrophic injury cases, including fatal accident claims. He has extensive expertise in matters pertaining to employers', occupiers' and public liability, as well as RTAs. He receives instructions from both claimants and defendants. He has experience appearing at inquests.

    • Daniel is very approachable. He is very good at providing technical advice and advising on strategy, and is excellent in working with personal injury clients.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar

    • Daniel was good on complex issues. It was really difficult, but he was really good.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar

    • He is a class act and excellent opponent. Daniel balances being aggressive with being charming at the same time.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar

    • Daniel is doing silk level work and is very good.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar

    • Daniel Paul has excellent communication skills and an ability to put clients at ease even when discussing complex or challenging issues.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
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  • David Boyle
    David Boyle

    David Boyle

    David Boyle acts for claimants and defendants in a wide range of personal injury cases including catastrophic and psychological injuries, as well as fatal accident claims. He also frequently handles matters involving fraud.

    • David was useful in cross-examining experts. He is really good. He is very robust in advocacy, and very successful in handling claimants that aren't honest. We get really good results from him.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar

    • David Boyle is our first choice of counsel for many cases.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar

    • David is approachable and client friendly. He has a calm and reassuring manner and the ability to ensure lay clients fully understand even the most complex of legal principles applying to their case.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar

    • David is very good with clients and explaining complicated issues. He is an all-round technically excellent barrister who can think outside the box and prepare solid legal argument.

      Personal Injury respondentUK Bar
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Ranked Barristers at Deans Court Chambers (7)

Northern (Bar)

Members

Provided by Deans Court Chambers

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