Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Clinical Negligence - London (Bar)

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Serjeants' Inn Chambers offers representation to both claimants and defendants, who instructing solicitors say there is "no clinical negligence case they can not handle." Its barristers are regularly instructed in high-value catastrophic injury, birth injury and fatal claims, and are well regarded for their expertise in cases involving complex medical evidence and issues surrounding liability. The set has recently been involved in the Henderson v Dorset Healthcare case concerning the liability of NHS trusts for alleged negligence in mental health treatment where the claimant then goes on to commit a criminal offence.

Paul Eeles is the Director of Clerking.

Strengths

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Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Angus Moon
Angus Moon
Star Individuals

Angus Moon KC is widely acknowledged for his expertise in the clinical negligence arena and for his involvement in high-profile, complex cases. He continues to represent both claimants and defendants in cases of the utmost severity. He brings to bear over 30 years of experience in clinical negligence law.

Angus is an absolute pleasure to work with, he is approachable, reassuring and calm. He is supremely intelligent and extremely experienced.

Angus is our go to leading counsel in all technical, high profile and substantial medical malpractice claims involving other jurisdictions.

Angus has an amazing attention to detail which is often crucial to the issues at hand. He is approachable, puts witnesses and experts at ease, and also conducts his advocacy as an art form.

Christopher Johnston
Christopher Johnston
Star Individuals

Christopher Johnston KC heads the set's clinical negligence team and provides both claimants and defendants with expert advice and advocacy. He has extensive experience of handling complex and high-value claims.

His years of experience add real depth and an uncanny accuracy to cases, he is always willing to take a phone call and discuss issues, and he is a massive team player.

He is very calm, he is very structured and he has gone through everything. He is just easy to work with and whenever he says he will do something, he does it and on time.

He has forensic rigor, brilliant attention to detail, and he can understand the scientific issues. He is incredibly impressive. He is distinguished beyond most silks, and is captivating.

He is superb on his feet and always well prepared.

His brain is phenomenal. He is very organised and prepares meticulously for all his cases and quantum. He strives for the best for clients and his solicitors alike.

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Adrian Hopkins
1
Band 1

Adrian Hopkins KC is an esteemed silk who represents both claimants and defendants. He is highly sought after by leading firms seeking to benefit from his experience of handling high-value, complex cases. He has dealt with a number of cerebral palsy claims.

He is brilliant on his feet, he is very calm, but he is always on top of the detail of every case. His approach to things is great, he makes sure the clients are included and feel involved.

He is extremely thorough, and has an unrivalled eye for detail.

You can go to him with a tricky case and he has seen it all before. He always has something to offer. He is a very, very good advocate, excellent in court and he has a lot of trial experience.

His advice has always been top notch and he leaves no stone unturned. Like a fine wine, he has matured over the years. His advice is rounded and full-bodied.

1
Caroline Hallissey
1
Band 1

Caroline Hallissey handles an array of complex clinical negligence cases, acting predominantly on behalf of claimants. Her areas of focus include claims arising from spinal and obstetric injuries.

She always impresses me. She is bright, responsive and is an excellent member of the legal team.

Caroline is very approachable, responsive and will go the extra mile for her solicitors and clients alike.

She is brilliant with clients.

Caroline is the most responsive and personable counsel I have ever worked with. With clients, she strikes a balance of being approachable yet realistic.

Eloise Power
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Eloise Power
1
Band 1

Eloise Power is a formidable junior who is highly regarded for her vast experience and enviable catalogue of high-profile, high-value cases. She is noted for her expertise in complex surgical negligence and gynaecological cases, and is also well-versed in cases regarding alleged delays in diagnosis. She also has notable experience of handling cases involving medical practitioners accused of sexual abuse.

She is a good negotiator, and a thoughtful advocate.

She is effective, professional and pleasant.

She is a lovely person to work with: she is kind, has lovely manner and she is someone we pick for cases with client who needs empathy. That is one of her strengths.

Eloise fights very hard for her clients and is very sensitive to the issues they face. She produces excellent, thorough and detailed pleadings, and is a powerhouse on her feet in court.

Her tactical judgement and advice are spot on. She inspires great confidence.

1
Heidi Knight
1
Band 1

Heidi Knight is a junior with an impressive portfolio of successful cases to her name. She is regularly sought out to undertake complex clinical negligence matters, including those pertaining to delayed or failed diagnoses, psychiatric issues and obstetrics claims. She focuses on representing claimants but also represents a growing number of defence organisations.

She is a first rate junior, she puts clients at ease, she's very organised and is a real joy to work with.

Heidi confidently takes hold of complex cases and knocks them effectively into shape with minimum of fuss.

She is absolutely brilliant.

Heidi is a class act as well, she was absolutely on top of her game.

She is fabulous with clients. She is always responsive and willing to discuss issues. She has great attention to detail, and is able to get to the crux of a case quickly.

1
John de Bono
1
Band 1

John de Bono KC is admired in the clinical negligence world for his legal prowess and involvement in high-profile claims. He acts on behalf of defendants and claimants, and is frequently instructed in extremely difficult cases, such as brain and spinal injury cases, as well as fatal cases. He has significant experience in cerebral palsy claims.

What this man doesn't know, isn't worth knowing. He is excellent with clients, hugely pragmatic, realistic and a real problem-solver.

John is impressive on every level. He brings a standard of skill, analysis and tactical awareness to a case that is formidable and well respected by others in his field as well as the judiciary.

He is a top drawer silk. He is very accessible for the cases of upmost complexity and unfazed by thinking outside the box.

His dedication to the education of juniors is also nothing I have seen the like of before.

He is always responsive, helpful and he is super bright but with humility and good client care skills.

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Katharine Gollop
1
Band 1

Katharine Gollop KC is a well-regarded barrister who is well versed in undertaking complex matters on behalf of both claimant and defendant parties. She has experience across a range of injuries including brain injury, stillbirth and psychiatric cases. She is also a specialist in cutting-edge consent cases.

She is very thorough and her drafting skills are good.

She is a force of nature. She is really dedicated, sympathetic with clients and very good in terms of drafting. She is a passionate advocate.

1
Michael Horne
1
Band 1

Michael Horne KC has amassed a great wealth of experience, having practised in this area of law since his call in 1992. He has significant expertise in handling cases involving severe neurological injuries and complex birth injuries. He acts for both claimants and defendants.

Michael is one of the most detail-oriented silks that I have had the pleasure of working with.

Michael is an excellent silk, it is always comforting to have him on your side.

He is very forensic and very detailed. Top quality.

Michael is a brilliant advocate, gentle with clients and pulls out all the stops.

His ability to grasp the issues in even the most complex of cases is impressive. He is able to explain complex medical and legal matters very well to clients so that they fully understand.

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Michael Mylonas
1
Band 1

Michael Mylonas KC is applauded for the breadth of his practice and is regularly sought out to lead high-profile, high-value cases. He acts for a broad client base that includes NHS trusts, medical defence organisations and patients.

He has got a really good way with clients, he is very strategic and he understands what a judge wants to see. He has the advocacy skills.

He is an absolutely phenomenal silk. He's a tremendous advocate and strategically lethal.

Michael is brilliant on his feet, with an ability to secure outstanding results even in the most challenging cases.

This is who you want fighting your case at trial. He's a brilliant advocate who has the ability to put clients at ease, and to elicit the utmost confidence in his abilities.

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Ranald Davidson
1
Band 1

Ranald Davidson is greatly admired for his extensive medical knowledge and expertise in the clinical negligence field. He represents both claimants and defendants in cases across the full range of value and severity.

Ranald is superb in his ability to analyse evidence, challenge experts and get to the issues.

His approach to advising clients is always appreciated, he is sensitive to their needs, and understands how difficult the subject matter can be to clients.

He is really good at what he does and he cuts straight to the heart of the matter.

His legal knowledge and experience is excellent and his background in medicine is invaluable. His drafting and advocacy skills are great. He is a safe pair of hands.

He is very experienced, knowledgeable, commercial and friendly. Ranald is also ultra calm.

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Richard Partridge
1
Band 1

Richard Partridge is a qualified doctor who brings extensive knowledge gained from his years as a medical practitioner. He serves as counsel to both claimants and defendants in complex clinical negligence matters.

Richard is a details man who can spot a weakness in a case that others would miss.

He has impressive medical knowledge, and experts trust and respect him. He is always well prepared and gets to grips with complex issues quickly.

He is very sensible in his advice, which I always appreciate. He is always calm which is an attribute so welcome at times, particularly on tricky cases.

He is determined to get the best result for the client and is supremely empathetic. He is a serious thinker and very astute. He does not give up, leaves no stone unturned and will go the extra mile.

1
Simon Fox
1
Band 1

Simon Fox KC is a medically qualified silk specialising in clinical negligence claims, who is regularly instructed in serious and high-value cases. His extensive practice covers complex brain damage cases including cerebral palsy claims. He has notable knowledge of delayed diagnosis and treatment issues.

Simon is excellent with clients, providing approachable and supportive guidance. He is also very approachable with instructing solicitors, making him a highly effective and reliable choice.

He brings a wide breadth of knowledge and experience. He gets straight to the key issues and finds a route through them.

Simon's calm and unflappable advocacy and negotiation is a perfect balance to the firm persuasiveness he brings.

He is a force to be reckoned with in negotiations and in settlement meetings. I would not hesitate to instruct him in the most complex of cases.

Simon has amazing technical expertise and a good bedside manner with clients.

2
Christopher Hough
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Band 2

Christopher Hough is a talented junior who focuses his practice predominantly on claimant work, and is instructed in an array of matters varying in both value and complexity. He is renowned for his knowledge of quantum issues.

He is more than a safe pair of hands, you just feel so confident about the case when he is involved. He can always see a way through the problem and he has a really impressive way of finding a way.

He is very knowledgeable about Erb's palsy.

2
Claire Watson
2
Band 2

Claire Watson KC has a broad clinical negligence practice which encompasses delayed diagnosis of cancer, obstetric negligence and spinal injury claims. She is regularly instructed to act on behalf of both claimants and defendants, including several NHS trusts, doctors and bereaved families.

Claire is wonderful with clients and her advice is always thoughtful and well reasoned. She is particularly good in cases involving sensitive issues.

Claire is very experienced, knowledgeable, commercial and approachable.

She fights tooth and nail for the clients. Claire continues to impress, with her sensible and sensitive approach, sound advice, incredible organisation and brilliance.

Gerard Boyle
2
Gerard Boyle
2
Band 2

Gerard Boyle KC is frequently instructed to undertake complex cases by claimants, NHS Resolution and leading medical bodies such as the MPS and MDDUS. He has accrued significant Supreme Court experience. His broad expertise encompasses high-value brain injury, negligent treatment and misdiagnosis claims.

He is utterly brilliant and I always enjoy working with him. He is well-organised, thorough and delivers his advice in a straight-talking but sensitive manner. He really is a star.

Gerard is a safe pair of hands.

He is exceptionally good.

Gerard leaves no stone unturned and ensures that clients feel that all angles have been investigated and considered. If you want your shoulders to drop below your ears, he is the person to instruct.

2
Neil Davy
2
Band 2

Neil Davy KC handles the full array of clinical negligence cases and is regularly sought out to undertake matters of the highest value, such as spinal cord injury claims or catastrophic brain injury cases.

He is brilliant.

I really enjoy working with Neil, he is always happy to speak on the phone and talk through an issue. It is a refreshing approach, and he is brilliant in hearings.

His advice was technically excellent with exceptional analysis of the issues under tight time pressure and with extensive evidence to review. Truly remarkable.

2
Simon Cridland
2
Band 2

Simon Cridland is admired for his far-reaching practice that encompasses cases concerning, among other things, brain injuries, surgical negligence and claims under the Fatal Accident Act. He regularly acts for both claimants and defendants in high value cases.

He is very approachable with good client care skills.

His judgement is very sound. He is excellent with clients and he inspires great confidence in his instructing solicitor.

He is an outstanding advocate who is approachable and achieves excellent outcomes for our clients.

To me he is exceptional. He has an eye for detail, he is tactically very good and he builds an exceptional rapport with clients.

He is a really down to earth guy and very good.

3
Debra Powell KC
3
Band 3

Debra Powell KC has a wide ranging clinical negligence practice, acting on behalf of both claimants and defendants. She handles cases addressing both liability and quantum and is comfortable taking cases to trial. She has experience on a variety of cases including birth injuries, negligent surgery and wrongful birth claims.

She is straight forward to deal with and she does a robust job in a professional way.

She is very good; I'm always impressed by her.

3
Jemma Lee
3
Band 3

Jemma Lee has notable experience handling litigation concerning birth injuries, delayed diagnosis of cancer and psychiatric care claims. She acts for both claimants and defendants and regularly appears before the High Court and the County Court.

Jemma is excellent.

She is calm, collected, and has an eye for detail, she is also a formidable opponent.

She is a real pleasure to work with. She is reassuring, always available to discuss, and technically excellent.

Jemma is sharp and focussed and her legal analysis spot on. She is also loved by clients who have confidence in her.

3
Jonathan Holl-Allen
3
Band 3

Jonathan Holl-Allen KC is a highly regarded barrister with a wealth of experience and knowledge. He represents both claimants and defendants, including NHS Resolution and the most prominent dental and medical defence organisations, in cases ranging from the relatively straightforward to those of the greatest difficulty.

He gives solid and dependable advice with a nice understated manner with clients.

He is very experienced, knowledgeable, commercial and approachable.

3
Scott Matthewson
3
Band 3

Scott Matthewson is no stranger to handling clinical negligence cases of the greatest value and complexity, including those involving allegations of surgical negligence and brain injury cases. He acts for both claimants and defendants.

He is hugely experienced. His manner makes difficult conversations easier to navigate which means he can often achieve a way through a complex issue.

Scott is an outstanding advocate with good commercial sense. He is able to communicate complex matters to clients in a way that they understand.

4
Clare Hennessy
4
Band 4

Clare Hennessy is instructed to undertake cases for claimants, defence unions and NHS Trusts across a range of clinical negligence matters. She is regularly instructed in delay in diagnosis, surgical negligence and birth injury claims.

Her judgement is excellent. She is a very capable advocate and her advice is always very sound.

She us a brilliant barrister. She is responsive, an excellent tactician and is sensitive with clients.

Clare's drafting skills are good and she is excellent with clients.

She has meticulous attention to detail and empathic client engagement. She is calm, reassuring and completely focused in conference. An excellent choice of junior barrister.

4
Liam Duffy
4
Band 4

Liam Duffy is experienced in the full range of medical issues and frequently represents families and healthcare providers in inquests. His clients include individuals and NHS trusts.

He is highly skilled in analysing medical evidence and considering the best tactics on cases moving forwards. He always has an eye on achieving the best settlement possible.

He is a straight and effective negotiator.

He is very logical and measured in his approach, and he gives straightforward advice, which helps to stop things getting overcomplicated.

He has very good client care and his advocacy and drafting skills are excellent. He is a safe pair of hands.

Liam has exceptional expertise in clinical negligence cases, with sharp analytical skills, meticulous attention to detail, and a pragmatic and client-focused approach.

4
Oliver Williamson
4
Band 4

Oliver Williamson is noted for his expert representation of claimants and defendants, including several NHS trusts, private hospitals and individual doctors, in complex clinical negligence cases. He is well regarded for his handling of cases arising from dental negligence, and often appears for his clients at inquests.

Oliver brings graft and intelligence.

He is a very good junior with a bright future, he has the legal and analytical skills required, as well as a keen commercial awareness.

4
Sebastian Naughton
4
Band 4

Sebastian Naughton represents both claimants and defendants in clinical negligence cases ranging in both complexity and value. He has particular expertise in claims concerning birth injuries, GP negligence and delayed diagnoses. He has also dealt with a number of dental negligence cases.

He is excellent with clients and he inspires great confidence in his instructing solicitor.

He is very approachable and great with clients. He provided good knowledge and guidance through the progress of a case.

He is a thorough and highly experienced barrister, he is a pleasure to work with and he cuts to the core of the issues whilst foreseeing any problems before they arise.

He will provide realistic advice at the outset of cases, but always focuses on achieving the best possible settlement for your client.

Seb is simply super. He knows his papers well, he is well prepared and he knows which points to pick and how to handle tricky issues.

5
Anthony Searle
5
Band 5

Anthony Searle is well known in the clinical negligence space and represents both defendants and claimants across a diverse range of issues. He has experience in liability trials and regularly acts unled on cases involving fatalities and dental injuries.

He works incredibly hard and he is a team player.

His client care was impeccable and he was able to put the client at ease. He is very down to earth and approachable.

He is an exceptional advocate who always goes above and beyond for the client. I have no hesitation recommending Anthony to colleagues, competitors and opponents.

His drafting is meticulous, leaving no stone unturned and he approaches every case with care and precision, regardless of value. A real pleasure to work alongside.

His advocacy is very clear-eyed, concise and coherent.

Ranked Barristers at
Serjeants' Inn Chambers

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

London (Bar)

Clinical Negligence

Angus Moon KC
Angus Moon KC
Star Individuals
Christopher Johnston KC
Christopher Johnston KC
Star Individuals
1
Adrian Hopkins KC
1
Band 1
1
John de Bono KC
1
Band 1
1
Katharine Gollop KC
1
Band 1
1
Michael Horne KC
1
Band 1
1
Michael Mylonas KC
1
Band 1
1
Simon Fox KC
1
Band 1
2
Claire Watson KC
2
Band 2
Gerard Boyle KC
2
Gerard Boyle KC
2
Band 2
2
Neil Davy KC
2
Band 2
3
Debra Powell KC
3
Band 3
3
Jonathan Holl-Allen KC
3
Band 3

Juniors

London (Bar)

Clinical Negligence

1
Caroline Hallissey
1
Band 1
Eloise Power
1
Eloise Power
1
Band 1
1
Heidi Knight
1
Band 1
1
Ranald Davidson
1
Band 1
1
Richard Partridge
1
Band 1
2
Christopher Hough
2
Band 2
2
Simon Cridland
2
Band 2
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