Clinical Negligence | UK Bar

1 Crown Office Row draws consistent praise from market commentators for providing "excellent client care" and having "extraordinary depth and breadth of knowledge." Members are regularly instructed in the most complex and high-profile cases in the market, and are experienced in the handling of claims relating to injuries of the utmost severity. The team acts for both claimants and defendants, and the set's enviable client list includes several medical defence organisations, hospitals, insurers and individual doctors. The set's barristers have recently handled a number of maximum severity cerebral palsy claims. Members also have considerable experience of appearing at inquests and public inquiries.

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.

2 Temple Gardens houses barristers with a "full spectrum of experience" across clinical negligence claims. Areas of expertise for the team include claims arising from birth injuries, delayed diagnoses and surgical negligence, and members are regularly called upon to act in high-value quantum disputes and difficult liability trials. The set's barristers have extensive experience of representing both claimants and defendants, including medical defence organisations, private healthcare providers and NHS bodies. Recent instructions for the set include ABC v Worcester Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, a case concerning a delayed diagnosis of a virus, leading to complex brain damage.

Lee Tyler is the senior clerk.

7BR is a highly regarded set in the clinical negligence market, noted as having "very talented individuals who really stand out and provide an excellent service". Areas of expertise for the team include obstetric, psychiatric and catastrophic brain and spinal injury claims, and members are experienced in the representation of both claimants and defendants, including several private hospitals and individual practitioners. The set also houses considerable strength in the handling of fatal claims, and its barristers are regularly called upon to appear at inquests. Recently, its members acted for the respondents before the Supreme Court in the appeals concerning secondary victim claims in clinical negligence.

Albie Barton is senior clerk.

Hailsham Chambers is described by instructing solicitors as hosting "an excellent cohort of very experienced counsel" who are "willing to go the extra mile to achieve the best possible result." The team is highly regarded for its expert representation of both claimants and defendants in a wide range of clinical negligence cases, and offers considerable strength in brain and spinal injury, obstetric and fatal claims. Members are also recognised for their adroit handling of claims involving allegations of surgical negligence and failures in diagnoses. Its barristers recently acted in JD v Circle Healthcare, a brain damage claim following surgery. The case raises important points of law surrounding private healthcare treatment.

Stephen Smith is the senior clerk.

39 Essex Chambers is considered a "top quality" set who have "real strength in depth". Its members bring "compassion and empathy" and are regularly called on to represent both injured claimants and defendants, such as NHS Resolution, healthcare insurers and several medical defence organisations, in the full range of clinical negligence claims. Members are experienced in the handling of complex cases involving allegations of negligent treatment and delayed and missed diagnoses, and are noted for their expertise in both individual and group actions. The set is also regarded as a go-to for difficult and high-value claims in developing areas of law, such as in AD v Frimley Hospital NHS Trust, a wrongful birth claim arising from failures to report genetic testing.

Jamie Tucker is the senior practice manager for clinical negligence, personal injury, litigation funding and costs.

Cloisters Chambers have been described as having "exceptional legal expertise, strategic thinking and a client focused approach." The set house a strong bench of senior and junior barristers who are experienced in the representation of claimants in a wide range of clinical negligence matters. Members are highly regarded for their expertise in complex neurological birth injury and cancer claims, including those involving allegations of delayed or missed diagnoses. Additional areas of strength for the team include difficult quantum disputes and consent to treatment cases. One recent instruction for the set was CXE v West Hertfordshire NHS Trust, a brain injury claim with liability admitted, which settled for a high value sum.

Glenn Hudson is the senior clerk.

Crown Office Chambers offers "superb depth of knowledge and expertise across chambers " and is adept at handling clinical negligence matters on behalf of both claimants and defendants. Its tenants are regularly instructed by NHS Resolution and MDU, as well as several private health authorities. Members have considerable expertise in complex catastrophic injury, birth injury and fatal accident claims, and are experienced in the handling of cases arising from alleged surgical negligence. Recent instructions include acting for the decedent in the landmark Supreme Court ruling of Paul, Polmear and Purchase v Royal Wolverhampton Hospital NHS Trust. The ruling will impact the scope of claim available for secondary victims.

James Wilkinson is the senior clerk.

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.

Outer Temple Chambers boasts a strong bench of senior and junior barristers, the set has been described as having an "exceptional balance of quality with highly analytical barristers" who act on behalf of both claimants and defendants. Areas of expertise for the team include birth injury and catastrophic brain and spinal injury cases, as well as high-value quantum disputes. Recent work from the set has includes Purchase v Dr Ahmed, part of the Supreme Court litigation contributing to the landmark case regarding secondary victim claims.

Paul Barton is practice director for the health team.

12 King's Bench Walk hosts a well-regarded team of silks and juniors who have a "personable approach and willingness to go the extra mile". The barristers handle a wide range of clinical negligence cases including catastrophic injuries, fatal matters and delay in diagnosis claims. The set is also noted for its strong expertise in handling personal injury claims. Recent cases have included acting for a claimant in a high value claim involving negligent surgery, which subsequently led to kidney failure and chronic pain.

Oliver Parkhouse is the director of clerking.

Devereux's members are well regarded for their expertise in complex clinical negligence matters and "effectively combine technical excellence with being very approachable and easy to work with." Members act for both claimants and defendants, including several NHS trusts as well as individual doctors, dentists and other healthcare professionals, and areas of expertise for the team include wrongful birth, brain injury, cerebral palsy and Erb's palsy claims. The set's barristers are also regularly instructed in high-value quantum disputes and offer considerable strength in the handling of cases involving questions surrounding breach of duty, liability and causation. Members have acted in PMC v A Local Health Board, a high value birth injury case.

Glenn Billenness is director of clerking and business development.

Farrar's Building has been described by instructing solicitors as being "an extremely reliable set of chambers" who are "unafraid to take on challenging cases." Farrar's Building hosts juniors and silks who frequently act for both claimant and defendant parties. They have experience representing clients such as defense organisations, private hospitals and insurers. Their work addresses a wide range of clinical negligence matters including cauda equina syndrome, delayed diagnosis and birth injury claims. Recently, the set was instructed to defend an unusual cauda equina case that had particular controversy over causation.

Paul Cray is the Director of Clerking.

Old Square Chambers offers counsel who are "approachable and work collaboratively to achieve the best results." The set is particularly strong in representing claimants, with expertise in delayed diagnoses, surgical failures and dental claims. Its members also frequently represent both individual and organisational defendants. Recent instructions have seen the set represent the claimant in the High Court on DVE v Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust, a birth injury case resulting in neuro-disabilities and injuries to the spine.