Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Personal Injury - Northern (Bar)
What the Team is Known For
St John's Buildings is well regarded for its expert representation of both claimants and defendants in a wide range of personal injury claims, and counts several insurers, public authorities and private individuals among its varied clientele. Members are regularly instructed in cases arising from RTAs and accidents at work, and the team offers considerable strength in the handling of employers' and public liability claims. Interviewees are also complimentary of the set's "real niche area specialisms." Additional areas of expertise for the set include traumatic brain injury, industrial disease and high-value catastrophic injury claims. Work highlights include acting on behalf of the claimant in the Jamaine Jeffrey v Markerstudy case, a polytrauma passenger RTA claim where liability is disputed based on a lack of insurance and the use of drink and drugs.
Chris Shaw is senior clerk.
Strengths
On many occasions Martin Craggs has done whatever necessary to find a commercially optimal solution for us and our lay client. He often goes above and beyond, as does Chris Shaw.
St John's Buildings provides second to none clerking. Martin Craggs is one of the finest clerks I have ever worked with. Jennifer Carr and Chris Shaw are also strong.
Notable practitioners
Peter Harrison acts in a variety of high-value catastrophic injury claims, including those resulting from military service and claims for psychological damage. He represents both claimants and defendants in complex cases of large value. He is adept at handling employers' and public liability cases.
Peter Harrison is very capable.
Peter Harrison is particularly good at occupational asthma cases.
Philip Grundy is a vastly experienced junior with an impressive practice in catastrophic personal injury. He acts for claimants and defendants in a variety of cases and has particular expertise in accidents and conditions associated with the workplace. This includes everything from industrial workers suffering from hand-arm vibration syndrome through to military personnel affected by PTSD. He is also well regarded for his handling of claims involving RTAs.
Philip Grundy is an excellent advocate and he is so knowledgeable in the world of industrial disease.
Philip's experience cannot be taught or picked up elsewhere, and so he is always a first-class choice in any high-value claim.
Philip is very experienced and very knowledgeable in disease cases.
Philip is a true superheavyweight. Whether it is expert knowledge and connections, advocacy or confidence met with realism, he does all of this whilst remaining super approachable.
Peter is a very experienced senior junior counsel who matches the capability of most silks. He is a very engaging character and is liked by lay clients.
Richard Norton's personal injury practice focuses on severe injury claims arising from RTAs. He principally acts for claimants, with a focus on advisory work. He is well known for his expertise in cases involving complex expert evidence.
Richard Norton has a very effective manner with clients and is an exceptional advocate.
Richard is excellent and goes beyond expectations.
Richard is a very accomplished advocate.
Henry Vanderpump has extensive experience in personal injury and clinical negligence. He frequently acts on expert-driven cases that involve complex loss of earnings and capacity questions.
Henry is obviously very bright and knowledgeable, yet he remains highly approachable with a pleasant demeanour.
Henry isn't afraid of running a difficult borderline case and he works in a very collaborative way with his instructing solicitors.
Henry Vanderpump is brilliant in conference. His advice is clear, concise and manages client expectations.
He is very good to have as a junior and is wonderful in client care. Henry works very hard and is ambitious.