Department profile
Exchange Chambers

Clinical Negligence

UK Bar Guide 2026 : Northern (Bar)

Share profile

Exchange Chambers

Rankings

About

Provided by Exchange Chambers

With 4 silks and over 20 juniors to choose from, our clinical negligence team is renowned for combining advocacy skill and legal knowledge with a deep understanding of medical and technical issues. We are regularly at the forefront of important, high value and complex medical litigation, especially claims relating to birth trauma, brain injury and spinal cord injury.

The team cover all areas of clinical negligence work, with expertise in:

    • Acquired Brain Injury (including surgical complications and delayed diagnosis of head injury)
    • Spinal Cord Injury (including spinal infections and Cauda Equina Syndrome)
    • Cerebral Palsy, Erb’s Palsy and other birth injury
    • Paediatrics and neonatology
    • Stroke (including delayed diagnosis and management)
    • Diabetes (including sight loss, kidney failure, cardiac complications, and amputations)
    • Sepsis and other infection claims
    • Death, Bereavement and Dependency claims (including Inquests and Inquiries)
    • GP negligence
    • Pregnancy, Women’s Health and Gynaecology
    • Cancer (including delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis)
    • Eye care, Eye Surgery and Ophthalmology
    • Orthopaedic and Musculo-Skeletal health
    • Psychiatry and Mental Health
    • Surgical negligence
    • Cosmetic surgery
    • Dental negligence
    • Consent to treatment cases
    • Claims relating to the Human Rights Act

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Clinical Negligence - Northern (Bar)

Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Exchange Chambers is well regarded as "a Northern powerhouse but with national solicitor relationships", providing representation of both claimants and defendants in complex clinical negligence matters, and counts several hospitals, NHS organisations, insurance bodies and medical defence organisations among its clients. Its barristers are adept at handling claims arising from delayed diagnosis, surgical negligence and negligent treatment, and are regularly instructed in cases involving complex questions surrounding consent. The team's expertise also encompasses claims brought against alternative medical practitioners.

View ranking table

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerking team at Exchange Chambers are exceptional and go above and beyond to assist.

    Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar

  • Leigh Daniels is excellent at coordinating instructions and chasing counsel.

    Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar

  • Neil Wright, chambers director, and Leigh Daniels, senior civil clerk, stand out for their service to instructing solicitors.

    Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar

  • A great clerking team who are always willing to help and are always available.

    Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Chris Gutteridge
    Chris Gutteridge

    Chris Gutteridge

    Chris Gutteridge represents claimants in a variety of high-value clinical negligence claims concerning spinal injuries, amputations and delayed diagnosis leading to severe injury. He has on numerous occasions negotiated large settlements for clients, including in cases where liability or causation was disputed.

    • Chris has a great approachable and friendly demeanour with clients and displays real technical expertise.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar

    • His commitment to his practice and his clients is evident from the total confidence his instructing solicitors have in him.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar

    • He is very effective and gives practical solutions. He is really well received by clients.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar

    • Very sharp and brilliant at litigation strategy.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    View profile
  • David Knifton
    David Knifton

    David Knifton

    David Knifton KC acts exclusively for claimants in complex clinical negligence cases. He frequently handles obstetric injury, surgical negligence and delayed diagnosis claims, and offers expertise in cases involving complex issues of consent.

    • David has an incredibly strong and decisive manner in conference, with real attention to detail which is balanced with the ability to place the client at complete ease.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar

    • He is detailed and meticulous in his approach with complex, high-value cases and he is a skilled advocate.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar

    • He is a magnificent leader, a true heavyweight silk and an excellent tactician and strategist.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar

    • A strategic thinker who achieves great results.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    View profile
  • Gerard Martin
    Gerard Martin

    Gerard Martin

    Gerard Martin KC is a key catastrophic injury barrister with a notable clinical negligence practice. He specialises in high-value acquired brain injury cases on behalf of children and adults. He has further standout expertise in amputation cases and also possesses ample experience of wrongful birth claims.

    • Gerard Martin is excellent in all respects.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    View profile
  • Kevin Naylor
    Kevin Naylor

    Kevin Naylor

    Kevin Naylor is a qualified medical doctor who has strong experience across a variety of clinical negligence claims. He has proven capabilities in fatal cases as well as those relating to amputations. He acts in complex cases of surgical and obstetric negligence.

    • Kevin applies his skills from his life as a GP to maximum effect for his clients.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar

    • Kevin's expertise is superb, as is his patience with clients and his ability to identify the nub of a case in record time.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    View profile
  • Matthew Stockwell
    Matthew Stockwell

    Matthew Stockwell

    Matthew Stockwell has extensive experience handling high-value, maximum-severity brain and spinal injury claims. He is well regarded for his expertise in matters involving significant issues concerning mental health and capacity.

    • Matthew is first rate - experienced, always well prepared and highly skilled. He is a fearsome negotiator.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    View profile
  • Christopher Barnes
    Christopher Barnes

    Christopher Barnes

    Christopher Barnes KC serves as the head of the personal injury and clinical negligence department at Exchange Chambers. He has a well-regarded practice, regularly representing clients in birth injury and catastrophic brain injury cases.

    • Chris manages to balance an approachability with clients with great technical expertise and confidence.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar

    • He is reliable, hard-working and always by your side in any challenge.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar

    • A strong silk who gives his all for his clients.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar

    • He is an exceptional advocate and gets to the core of matters earlier in the case.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    View profile
  • Sara Sutherland
    Sara Sutherland

    Sara Sutherland

    Sara Sutherland regularly represents clients in a wide range of clinical negligence cases as well as gynaecological and obstetric issues. Her experience as an assistant coroner allows her to approach cases from a different viewpoint to her contemporaries, meaning that she is able to produce a robust case for her clients.

    • She is excellent with the most sensitive and difficult of issues.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar

    • An exceptional junior counsel who is able to handle even the most complex of matters with skill.

      Clinical Negligence respondentUK Bar
    View profile

Ranked Barristers at Exchange Chambers (7)

Northern (Bar)

Members

Provided by Exchange Chambers

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership