Clinical Negligence | UK Bar

1 Crown Office Row draws consistent praise from market commentators, who note that "they're at the top of their field." 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 obstetric negligence claims, including the reported High Court case of CDE (by her Mother and Litigation Friend Ms FGH) v Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust. Members also have considerable experience of appearing at inquests and public inquiries. Instructing solicitors report that they "continue to be at the very top of their game for clinical negligence and provide consistently outstanding counsel and clerking facilities."

Serjeants' Inn Chambers houses "a wealth of experience and expertise" in its strong bench of senior and junior barristers. The chambers is described by market sources as "easily top tier with a depth and breadth of talent few other sets can match." and offers representation to both claimants and defendants. 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 negligence claim against the Nightingale Hospital following the death of silk John Jones.

7BR is a highly regarded set in the clinical negligence market, noted for its "great range of expertise to cover all types of clinical negligence cases". 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 have been instructed for the claimants concerning the contraction of sepsis and subsequent limb amputations following a dentist appointment.

Hailsham Chambers is described by instructing solicitors as "an impressive set" offering "exceptional expertise in this field, at all levels of practice." 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, with recent instructions including acting for the NHS in a claim concerning delayed diagnosis of thoracic disc prolapse. Difficult quantum disputes and cases involving complex issues surrounding liability and causation are also key areas of strength for the team.

2 Temple Gardens houses "real expertise" across a strong bench of seasoned experts who are "well able to handle difficult and complex cases" across a wide range of 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. For instance, a recent instruction for the set was SBS v Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which involved complex issues of quantum due to the claimant now living abroad. The set is frequently involved in the most high-profile cases in the market, and is regarded as a go-to for complex group actions involving faulty medical devices.

Cloisters Chambers houses 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 CAL v Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, where quantum for the claimant's cerebral palsy was disputed. The set's barristers are also regularly called upon to appear at inquests and in public inquiries. Instructing solicitors praise Cloisters as having "a wide range of expertise and specialism which enables you to pick the right counsel for the work you require and for your client."

Crown Office Chambers offers "a good range of experienced and talented clinical negligence barristers" 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 for the set vary from leading the defence against a large series of claims arising from alleged negligence in rectal surgeries to acting on behalf of two GPs concerning delayed diagnosis of Cushing's Disease.

Deka Chambers houses a strong bench of clinical negligence barristers at both senior and junior level who can "make complex matters seem straightforward." 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. A member of the set recently acted for Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust, defending against dual claims concerning alleged failures in psychiatric care where one claimant attacked the other.

Outer Temple Chambers is praised by instructing solicitors as "an excellent set which offers a broad range of experience." It boasts a strong bench of senior and junior barristers who have experience of representing both claimants and defendants in a wide range of clinical negligence claims. 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 has included acting for the claimant's estate in alleging a causational link between sewage backflow, sepsis and the claimant's subsequent death. Members are also adept at acting for doctors and other healthcare professionals in disciplinary proceedings, drawing on the set's strength in complementary areas such as employment and professional discipline.

39 Essex Chambers has "a wide range of experience" amongst its bench, with "a good pool of expertise to draw on". Its members 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. Recent instructions include acting for the NHS in claims arising out of vaginal mesh complications. The set is also regarded as a go-to for difficult and high-value quantum disputes and product liability claims relating to faulty medical products, such as ongoing metal-on-metal hip litigation.

Devereux's members are well regarded for their expertise in complex clinical negligence matters. Instructing solicitors note that members are "able to navigate their way through the most complex of cases with ease." 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 continued to act in Paul and Paul v Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, taking the case on secondary victims up to the Supreme Court.

12 Kings Bench Walk is considered by instructing solicitors to be "a very strong and reliable set when it comes to complex matters." The chambers hosts a well regarded team of silks and juniors who are adept at handling a wide range of clinical negligence cases including catastrophic injuries, fatal matters and delay in diagnosis claims. The set is also noted for it's strong expertise in handling personal injury claims. Recent cases have included representing a claimant alleging failure to diagnose and treat sepsis against Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust as well as acting for the family of a woman who died in childbirth.

Old Square Chambers has a robust offering in clinical negligence, with instructing solicitors noting that "the advice provided by counsel is always clear, detailed and pragmatic." 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 give written submissions in the Supreme Court on McCulloch v Forth Valley Health Board concerning the level of information needed for informed consent to a course of treatment.