Cloisters

Barrister specialising in personal and fatal injuries, occupational pensions, coroner’s inquests, administrative and public law. Coroner’s inquests: firefighter deaths in Oldham (2013); the Shirley Towers High-Rise Block (2010); the Harrow Court High-Rise Block (2007); and the Bethnal Green Basement (2006); plus sailors’ deaths aboard HMS Trident (2009) and soldier’s deaths in Afghanistan (2010). Personal injury–claimant: caseload specialising in fire and military services; also, road traffic and railways. Recent significant reported cases include: Wembridge v Winter [2013] EWHC 2331 (QB) – tortious liability of fire and rescue services for injuries caused by explosion at Marlie Farm; Gravil v Carroll & Redruth Rugby Football Club [2008] EWCA CIV 689; [2008] 1CR 1222 – determined that employing clubs of fully and semi-professional rugby players should be vicariously liable for their players’ deliberate assaults. Administrative and public law: R (oao LFEPA) v Board of Medical Referees (Coogan) [2012] EWHC 3828 (Admin) –composition of Board; Marrion, Scott & Burke v Boards of Medical Referees [2009] EWCA Civ 450–ill-health pension and appeal rights of firefighters and police officers; Ex parte Callaghan [2008] All ER (D) 58 (Dec) – acceleration injuries qualify for an award; Walker v Inner London Crown Court [2008] AllER (D) 241(Jan) – meaning of ‘in the execution of duty’. Pensions: Matthews v Kent & Medway Towns Fire Authority (part-time workers) [2006] 1CR 365 (HL) – victory for retained firefighters and landmark authority for part-time workers; Hopper [2001] OPLR 357; [2001] All ER (D) 11(Oct) + OPLR- Chancery Division – nature of pensionable pay; Jordan (Cambridge Crown Court, 25/01/02) – jurisdiction of Boards of Medical Referees.

Called 1978; youth worker 1978; housing adviser 1979 to 1982; called to the Bar of Ireland 1992; first tier tribunal judge in war pensions from 2001 and in criminal injuries from 2007. Background includes serving on the Bar Council’s cfa panel, chairing it from 2006 to 2012 and contributing to the Conditional Fee Guidance. He returned to Cloisters as a member in 2003.

Colloquial Italian.

PIBA; ALBA.

Durham University (BA).

Snooker evenings, cider-making.