Personal Injury | UK Bar

12 King's Bench Walk houses barristers who "provide sound, practical advice," a source notes, 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: "There is always someone available with expertise specific to the case level of complexity." 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. Recently, barristers at 12 King's Bench Walk were instructed in Stiles and other claimants v The Football Association and others, a concussion group litigation matter.

39 Essex Chambers offers an enviable bench of personal injury specialists, with "barristers for all levels of complexity." 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. Recently, 39 Essex Chambers acted in the Rugby Union group litigation regarding head injuries in the sport.

Jamie Tucker is the senior practice manager for personal injury.

Crown Office Chambers possesses "excellent strength in depth, especially in the most complex personal injury cases." 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 have recently been instructed in ongoing personal injury claims arising out of the Grenfell Tower fire.

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 "an excellent set with real depth and breadth." 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. Notable cases recently handled by the set include HXA v Surrey County Council regarding failure to remove children by social services.

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 cases for the set include Cardwell v Axess Ltd, concerning an amputation following an accident at work.

Lee Tyler is the senior clerk.

Devereux houses "a range of junior and leading counsel who are able to grasp complex issues" and 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 examples include representing a cohort of firefighters regarding the tragedy of Grenfell Tower.

Glenn Billenness is director of clerking.

Outer Temple Chambers is a highly regarded set for personal injury matters with "excellent counsel with a broad range of expertise in complex cases." 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 cases have included TUV v Lawson and AIG Europe, a multimillion-pound case arising from an RTA.

Temple Garden Chambers retains its reputation as a strong set in the personal injury market with "industry-leading barristers" who can handle "the whole range of PI with superb expertise and responsiveness." 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 has included Frankland v Griffiths, concerning a brain injury, and Grey v Ministry of Defence, a case arising out of a non-cold freezing injury sustained during military service.

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 remark: "All the barristers at 1COR are at the top their game and very impressive." The set 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. Work for the set has included Raxworthy v European Metal Recycling Ltd, a multimillion-pound amputation claim arising out of a serious accident.

Matthew Phipps is the senior clerk.

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 appeared in the High Court in Parker v McLaren, arising out of a collision involving a taxi and a pedestrian.

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 Hogan v Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, involving a firefighter who was seriously injured in a training exercise.

Glenn Hudson is the senior clerk.

Farrar's Building is a well-regarded set in the personal injury market praised by instructing solicitors as housing "an excellent variety of counsel" for 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. Claimant work has included Scanlan v Reilly concerning a fatal RTA, while the set's tenants have also represented the London Brough of Southwark in a High Court case concerning a ramp defect that caused a wheelchair user to fall and suffer injury.

Paul Cray is the director of clerking.

Old Square Chambers is a well-regarded set with barristers who "add real value to claims with the extent of their expertise and depth of legal knowledge." 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 cases include Suresh v General Medical Counsel and North Teesside NHS Trust, seeking to establish the liability of the GMC following the suicide of a doctor after being the subject of unfounded allegations.