Department profile
Deka Chambers

Clinical Negligence

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


Deka Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Clinical Negligence - London (Bar)

Band 3

Band 3


What the Team is Known For

Deka Chambers houses a strong bench of clinical negligence barristers at both senior and junior level. Interviewees praise the set for having "excellent barristers at all levels." Members are routinely called upon to act for both claimants and defendants, and are experienced in the handling of complex cases arising from delayed diagnoses and failed cosmetic surgery. Additional areas of strength for the team include catastrophic brain and spinal injury, birth injury and wrongful birth claims, and the set is also noted for its expertise in dental negligence matters. Recent appearances for the set include in the Supreme Court, acting in Paul v Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.

Clark Chessis is the senior clerk.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Nothing is too much for the clerks who are incredibly responsive and helpful.

    Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • I have always received an excellent level of service from Deka Chambers. The clerks are highly efficient, responsive and proactive in ensuring that cases are matched with the most suitable counsel.

    Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are always helpful and very quick to respond.

    Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are thoughtful and helpful.

    Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks provide prompt, professional assistance and are able to address our needs efficiently.

    Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Senior StatespeopleEdward Faulks KC
    Senior StatespeopleEdward Faulks KC

    Edward Faulks KC

    Edward Faulks KC is an esteemed silk who has been handling the most complex clinical negligence cases for many years. His wider practice covers professional negligence, police and public law cases.

    • It is always a Rolls-Royce service from him.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • He is amazing, he really is.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Edward Bishop
    Band 1Edward Bishop

    Edward Bishop

    Edward Bishop KC is a high-ranking silk with over 30 years' experience in the field of clinical negligence, who is admired for his depth of knowledge. He is regularly instructed by both claimants and defendants, and is also trusted with complex personal injury claims.

    • He is a very experienced silk.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Ed is a pleasure to work with and excellent at getting to the crux of a case.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • He is very experienced, thoughtful, intelligent and diligent. He is capable of cutting through the most difficult legal issues with sanity and speed.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Ed Bishop is exactly who you would want as your silk on a complex birth injury claim. His experience is second to none and he is respected by claimant and defendant solicitors alike.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Simon Readhead
    Band 1Simon Readhead

    Simon Readhead

    Simon Readhead KC impresses both with his knowledge of complex medical negligence matters and his meticulous approach to his work. He has a very broad practice and is recognised for his work on claims involving catastrophic and neurological injuries. He works on behalf of both claimants and defendants.

    • He is a supreme KC, he is a joy to work with. He is a safe pair of hands and so knowledgeable.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Simon is an exceptionally gifted clinical negligence barrister. He has excellent client care skills on often highly sensitive and emotive cases.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Simon is a formidable force in clinical negligence matters. His attention to detail is a notable strength whilst remaining commercially astute. He is my go-to and trusted KC.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • He is a supremely experienced silk.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • He is extremely diligent with a fantastic memory and eye for detail.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Angus Piper
    Band 2Angus Piper

    Angus Piper

    Angus Piper acts exclusively for defendants in complex clinical negligence cases, and is regularly instructed by the MDU and DDU. He is experienced in the handling of claims arising from alleged negligent treatment and birth injuries.

    • He is a go-to clinical negligence barrister for sensible and robust advice.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • He is very user-friendly and he is very good at responding to queries.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • He is very personable and deals calmly with any issue.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Giles Mooney
    Band 2Giles Mooney

    Giles Mooney

    Giles Mooney KC dedicates his practice to dealing with clinical negligence and personal injury claims. He represents both claimants and defendants, and has knowledge pertaining to a wide variety of issues, including birth injuries, as well as surgical and diagnosis cases.

    • Giles Mooney is an excellent barrister. He is a great communicator and is spot on with the issues.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Giles is excellent; he is very experienced, has great judgement and is really kind.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • He is robust, he goes the extra mile for clients, he is really good in meetings, and he is very humble and very approachable. He is incredibly kind and generous with his time.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Giles is a pleasure to work with, he is always well prepared and detailed and it feel like we are a team.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Laura Begley
    Band 2Laura Begley

    Laura Begley

    Laura Begley is an experienced senior junior who undertakes a growing caseload of complex cases spanning the full spectrum of medical law, including diagnostic and surgical errors. She impresses with her pragmatic approach when handling matters on behalf of both claimants and defendants.

    • Laura demonstrates amazing legal knowledge, commercial awareness and great client care whilst also being a pure joy to work with.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Laura has advised on a number of high value and complex cases for me and is very easy to work with. She has great empathy.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Stuart McKechnie
    Band 2Stuart McKechnie

    Stuart McKechnie

    Stuart McKechnie KC focuses on handling catastrophic claims involving complex matters of law. In addition to being an expert clinical negligence advocate, he upholds a robust personal injury practice.

    • He is an exceptional silk. He is very good with clients.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • He's incredibly strong in every way.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • His fierce intelligence, excellent judgement, meticulous preparation and constructive negotiating style, consistently produce strong and life-changing results for catastrophically injured claimants.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Christopher Stephenson
    Band 3Christopher Stephenson

    Christopher Stephenson

    Christopher Stephenson is a specialist clinical negligence barrister whose practice is exclusively claimant-based. His caseload includes cases concerning fatalities, failures in diagnoses and wrongful birth claims.

    • Chris is extremely personable and great with clients, he puts everyone at ease and is extremely responsive and practical.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • He is approachable and will always help in a crisis, and he is able to assimilate huge quantities of information and pick out the key issues and nuances.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Chris is very knowledgeable and has considerable experience. He is vigorous in his advocacy whilst being personable and empathetic.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • He is always a reliable pair of hands.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • He is an excellent barrister, combining high quality advice with commercial acuity.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Jacob Levy
    Band 3Jacob Levy

    Jacob Levy

    Jacob Levy KC is a well-respected silk with over 30 years' experience. He devotes much of his practice to claimant-focused work, and is regularly instructed in all manner of cases, ranging from the relatively modest to those of the greatest complexity. He counts a number of large trade unions among his clients. He has impressive experience in claims regarding birth injuries as well as spinal damage.

    • He is easy to work with and provides a dedicated service to the client and solicitor. He is always ready to look at cases including novel and complex claims.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Jacob Levy KC excellent with clients. His paperwork is as comprehensive as it is insightful. He is the hardest working and most reliable barrister.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • His expertise in the field of clinical negligence is second to none. To say he is hard-working is an understatement.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Laura Johnson
    Band 3Laura Johnson

    Laura Johnson

    Laura Johnson KC is applauded for the versatility of her practice, as she is experienced in an array of clinical negligence cases varying in complexity from fatal claims to neonatal brain injury matters. She acts for both claimants and defendant organisations.

    • Laura is an excellent advocate and really fights for our clients both in terms of liability and quantum issues. She is very strong in both areas.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • She is a very clever and committed advocate.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Laura is steely in the courtroom but demonstrates warmth in client conferences. She has amazing legal knowledge and a collaborative approach with her solicitors.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • She represents her clients robustly. She is brave in her submissions but has good common sense in terms of taking a point and shifting her position to get the best outcome.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Adam Dawson
    Band 4Adam Dawson

    Adam Dawson

    Adam Dawson is noted for his expert handling of a wide range of clinical negligence claims, and has experience appearing both led and unled in high-value and complex matters. His broad expertise encompasses amputation claims and cases arising from delays in diagnosis.

    • Adam Dawson is excellent. He is personable, quietly confident and a persuasive advocate. He is incredibly astute and he has an analytical mind.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Adam will always give clear and sensible advice. He is very approachable and has great empathy.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • He is responsive, he is brilliant, he always sees the other side's point of view and in consequence we negotiate well in a JSM.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • He is personable and empathetic which makes client's feel at ease. Adam is a dedicated advocate who is passionate and committed to his role.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Adam is clear and concise with his advice, and is very good with clients.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Helen Pooley
    Band 4Helen Pooley

    Helen Pooley

    Helen Pooley is a well-regarded junior who handles a range of clinical negligence claims including delayed diagnosis claims, surgical negligence and birth injury cases. She is adept at dealing with causation issues.

    • Helen has a pragmatic approach, excellent client care and strong advocacy skills achieving exceptional results for her clients.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Her kindness and clarity always shines through.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Helen's professionalism is impressive, which is well balanced with her sympathetic nature with clients, and determination when dealing with experts and difficult legal issues.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • She is thorough and well-prepared in conference. She is empathetic and sensitive with clients.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Helen is meticulous to detail, empathetic and understanding to clients. Helen's advice is clear and she understands the issues.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Holly Tibbitts
    Band 4Holly Tibbitts

    Holly Tibbitts

    Holly Tibbitts is adept at handling a number of complex clinical negligence claims. She has notable experience in handling birth injury, secondary victim and spinal injury claims.

    • Holly is always really detailed and approachable. She always responds to emails with very detailed, helpful and also practical advice.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • She is my go-to junior for clinical negligence work. She has an excellent forensic brain and she's very thorough.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • She is an excellent junior.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Lisa Dobie
    Band 4Lisa Dobie

    Lisa Dobie

    Lisa Dobie is a well-regarded barrister who represents claimants and defendants across the full span of clinical negligence matters. She is regularly instructed in birth injuries, delay in diagnosis claims, fatalities and secondary victim claims.

    • Lisa has a natural ability to put clients at ease, offering reassurance while remaining firm and fair in her advice.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • She is sensitive to difficult issues and pragmatic.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • She is bright, thorough and she has a very good manner.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Lisa Dobie is brilliant and always at the top of my list when looking to instruct junior counsel in a new case

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Robert Horner
    Band 4Robert Horner

    Robert Horner

    Robert Horner is a well-regarded junior experienced in the handling of complex clinical negligence and personal injury claims. He is regularly instructed in cases arising from negligent treatment and failures in diagnoses, and acts for both claimants and defendants.

    • He went above and beyond and didn't leave a stone unturned.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Rob is very affable with clients, and has an excellent eye for detail and a structured approach to his work.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Robert Horner is meticulous when it comes to details.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Francesca O'Neill
    Band 5Francesca O'Neill

    Francesca O'Neill

    Francesca O'Neill is a junior barrister who frequently acts in cases of high value. She has experience in clinical negligence claims such as serious brain injury, medical consent and negligent treatment claims.

    • The depth of knowledge provided, and strategic approaches adopted by Francesca has consistently provided our clients with strong and well-reasoned advice, which is something we value highly.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Francesca has achieved some excellent results for us in some of the most frustrating of circumstances.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Francesca is highly intelligent, driven and hardworking. She has a gift for distilling complicated information into a powerful argument.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Francesca has been extremely responsive and practical on the cases we have handled together.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Hugh Rimmer
    Band 5Hugh Rimmer

    Hugh Rimmer

    Hugh Rimmer is noted for his clinical negligence expertise. He regularly acts of clients in cases spanning a wide range of medical issues, including misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis, amongst many others.

    • Hugh is always very detailed and helpful. He is very good with clients and approachable.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Hugh has been excellent in every way throughout and his tenacity produced a fantastic result.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Deka Chambers (17)

London (Bar)

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