Personal Injury | UK Bar

12 King's Bench Walk houses barristers who "provide clear and thorough advice on claims in a timely manner," a source notes. It acts for both claimants and defendants in high-value and complex claims relating to fatalities and injuries of the utmost severity. The team is particularly well regarded for its expertise in claims arising from RTAs. An interviewee comments: "the barristers are exceptionally diligent, insightful and methodical, ensuring that no detail, no matter how small, is overlooked." International claims and industrial disease work are also key areas of strength for the team. The set is routinely instructed in the most important cases in the market, and its members have significant experience appearing before the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. Barristers at 12 King's Bench Walk act on a large group claim involving over 3,400 soldiers who suffered noise-induced hearing loss in the course of service.

39 Essex Chambers fields an enviable bench of personal injury specialists, offering "a great range of skills." Members are experienced in the handling of a wide range of personal injury matters, including catastrophic brain and spinal injury, amputation and fatal claims. The team also offers expertise in cases involving significant liability issues and difficult quantum disputes, and several of the set's barristers have recently been instructed in complex and high-profile claims involving allegations of historic sexual abuse. 39 Essex Chambers acts for the BLJ cohort of Bereaved and Survivor Residents of Grenfell Tower in their claim against the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

Jamie Tucker is the senior practice manager for personal injury.

Crown Office Chambers is highly regarded for its "excellent depth and range of barristers from juniors to KCs." Members are regularly instructed in high-value matters involving catastrophic injuries and fatalities, and undertake work on behalf of both claimants and defendants, including several major insurers. Complex industrial disease claims and large group actions are also core areas of strength for the set, and its barristers field considerable expertise in difficult quantum disputes and claims involving questions surrounding liability. Members successfully represented Folsana Pressed Steel Sections in Cavanaugh v Folsana Pressed Sections Limited, where the Claimant, a previous employee, alleged psychiatric damages.

Combining the strength of two former leading personal injury sets, Deka Chambers is truly a force to be reckoned with in the market, noted as providing "real strength and depth across the board." While the set is particularly well regarded for its representation of claimants, its barristers are also regularly called upon to handle high-value work on behalf of major insurers and other defendants. Members are well versed in catastrophic brain and spinal injury, fatal accident, amputation and psychological injury claims, and offer significant expertise in matters involving complex issues of public and employers' liability. Claims arising from historic sexual abuse are also a key area of practice, and the barristers are frequently called upon to handle extremely sensitive cases involving young and vulnerable witnesses. The set is routinely involved in the most high-profile and complex cases in the market, and its members have experience appearing before the courts at all levels, up to and including the Supreme Court. Recent work includes Davies v Taylor, a high-profile case involving a claimant who was seriously injured by a young driver who was texting and videoing himself at the wheel.

Michael Goodridge is the director of clerking.

2 Temple Gardens offers expertise spanning a wide range of personal injury claims, and its barristers are regularly called upon to undertake catastrophic injury claims arising from accidents both in the UK and further afield. Complex group actions are a key area of expertise for the team, while members are also well regarded for their handling of stress at work and historic sexual abuse claims. The set's barristers act for both claimants and defendants, and count several government bodies, major insurers and both public and private companies among their clients. Recent standout cases for the set include Jarvis and Stiles and ors v International Football Association Board, Football Association, Football League and FA of Wales.

Devereux offers expertise spanning a wide range of personal injury matters. Members are well regarded for their handling of claims involving injuries of the utmost severity, including high-value catastrophic and psychiatric injury claims, as well as those concerning amputations and major organ damage. Cases involving complex issues surrounding liability are a noted area of strength for the team, and the barristers regularly undertake cases arising from RTAs and accidents at work. The set retains its reputation as a go-to for the most high-profile and difficult cases in the market, and members have considerable experience appearing before the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Recent work includes Hassam v Rabot, in which members acted on behalf of APIL and MASS before the Supreme Court in relation to the new statutory regime for low-value whiplash claims.

Glenn Billenness is director of clerking.

Outer Temple Chambers is a highly regarded set for personal injury matters that houses "high-quality juniors and silks with broad experience in high-value complex work." Members are experienced in the representation of both claimants and defendants, and count several multinational companies, major insurers and defence organisations among their diverse clientele. Areas of expertise for the team include high-value catastrophic injury, fatal accident, sexual abuse and industrial disease claims, and the set's barristers are routinely instructed in complex multiparty cases and cross-border matters involving difficult jurisdictional issues. Recent standout work includes Tyers v Aegis Defence Services (BVI) Limited and others, a precedent-setting case arising out of a fatal accident to a private contractor in Iraq.

Temple Garden Chambers maintains a prominent reputation in the market and houses "a great range of top level counsel who are more than capable of dealing with complex and sophisticated personal injury work." Members routinely undertake high-value instructions on behalf of both claimants and defendants, and offer significant expertise in catastrophic injury, fatal accident and military claims. Cases at the cutting edge of personal injury law are also a key area of strength for the team, and several of the set's members have been involved in the development of the law surrounding subtle brain injuries, chronic pain and fraudulent claims. Recent work includes B v T, a spinal cord injury claim before the High Court valued in excess of £10 million.

Dean Norton is senior clerk at the chambers.

1 Crown Office Row offers expertise spanning the full range of personal injury matters. Its strong bench of barristers is regularly called upon to handle complex and high-value catastrophic injury cases arising from accidents at work and on the road. Interviewees note that the set provides "top-notch counsel in respect of legally complex matters and emotionally delicate issues." The chambers houses considerable strength in matters involving allegations of historic sexual abuse, and several tenants have been involved in some of the most high-profile inquiries of recent years such as the Rochdale Abuse Inquiry and the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. Members undertake work on behalf of both claimants and defendants, and count several health authorities, government departments and major insurers among their clients. Recent work includes DJ v Barnsley MBC, a historical sexual abuse case before the Court of Appeal, and Various Applicants v Lambeth Borough Council, a high-profile matter arising from allegations of abuse at children's homes.

John Petrie is chambers director.

The barristers at 7BR are experienced in handling the full range of personal injury matters, and are regularly instructed in high-value catastrophic injury cases as well as smaller fast-track RTA claims. The set houses considerable strength in claims arising from allegations of historic sexual abuse. Additional areas of expertise for the team include stress at work and psychiatric injury claims, complex liability disputes and cases involving the military. The set is considered a first port of call for both leading claimant and defendant solicitors. Notably, members recently acted in Karpasitis v Hertfordshire County Council, which is to be heard by the Court of Appeal later this year.

Cloisters Chambers members are well regarded for their adroit handling of cases involving injuries of the utmost severity, including catastrophic and psychiatric injury claims, and are well versed in complex liability and quantum disputes. Additional areas of strength for the team include RTAs, abuse claims and MIB claims. Recent work highlights include PAL v Davison, in which members represented a young claimant who suffered a very severe traumatic brain injury following an RTA, securing a settlement of a capitalised sum in excess of £40 million.

Glenn Hudson is the senior clerk.

Farrar's Building is a well-regarded set that is noted by instructing solicitors to house "excellent quality counsel, who can deal with challenging cases" on behalf of both claimants and defendants. Members are noted for their expert handling of high-value catastrophic injury and fatal claims, and are frequently instructed in cases involving complex liability issues. The set's barristers are also well versed in smaller multi-track and fast-track claims, and routinely undertake cases arising from RTAs or accidents at work. Recent standout work includes Staszko (deceased) v (1) Crisp & (2) Esure Insurance Limited, a high-value case involving complex cross-border elements, and Gambrill v NG Bailey Services Ltd & Beauchamp & Bird Ltd, relating to a £10 million claim arising from a workplace accident.

Paul Cray is chief executive and director of clerking.

Old Square Chambers is a well-regarded set with "strength in depth across all levels of experience." It is considered the first port of call for a number of leading claimant and defendant solicitors' firms, as well as several major insurers. The set offers expertise covering a wide range of personal injury matters, from complex catastrophic injury claims to smaller fast-track matters, and its barristers are routinely instructed in cases involving difficult issues of quantum or liability. Recent work includes Horncastle v MoD, a well-publicised case relating to a claim for psychiatric injury brought by a submariner who was a victim of sexual harassment.