Region Area

Barristers

Matthias Kelly KC

Matthias Kelly KC

Position

Specialises in enquiries, personal injury and professional negligence work. Represents both claimants and defendants. Amongst his recent cases are Leta Almeda v Her Majesty’s Attorney General for Gibraltar, Privy Council, 24/11/2004 (challenge to State immunity claimed by the Government of Gibraltar); Pilar Aida Rojas v Brian Berllaque and Her Majesty’s Attorney General for Gibraltar, Privy Council, 10/11/2003 (whether all male juries in Gibraltar were constitutional). He has substantial experience of group actions: St George’s School, Liverpool, 2004-05, Springhill School Group Litigation, 2004 and Gower Chemicals 2002-03. Has appeared in many catastrophic injury cases: P Smith v I Childs, 2004, paraplegia £4.5m settlement; Ejvet v Aid Pallet (2002), 11/3/2002, Cooke J, RCJ (additional agreed award for broker’s fees, PGO and receiver costs). Acted in many cerebral palsy and gynaecological negligence claims: Howard v Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust (2006) High Court, London, cerebral palsy; Corry v D & B Construction Ltd (2008) High Court, Belfast; O’B v Residential Institutions Redress Board (2009) High Court, Dublin [2009] IEHC 284; Ellie Challis v Barking, Havering & Redbridge Hospitals Trust, 2008/09 High Court, London (medical negligence, menlingococcal septicaemia); Adam Jones v BBC and others (2007) High Court, employer’s liability, occupier’s liability; Raymond Shanks v Swan Hunter Group PLC (2007) EWHC B4, mesothelioma claim; Jordan Fitton v Bury Primary Care Trust & others, judicial review, hospital closures, Administrative Court; Kampichler v Moore and Blatch, High Court Winchester, 18/4/02, solicitor’s negligence; Christine Perry v Post Office High Court, London, 2001 (whether trauma can cause MS); Cummings v Powney, 2000: Brain injury; appropriate deduction for non-use of seat belt; Dalton v Wright Hassall (a firm of solicitors); High Court, London, 2000 (whether solicitor’s negligence can give rise to a claim for psychiatric damage). Represented the Local Authority in Firth v Geo. Ackroyd Ltd and another (2000) Lloyds LR (medical) 312 (the recoverability of the cost of care provided by the local Authority acting under a statutory duty). Review of operation of section 19 of Companies Act 1990 (as amended) for Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Dublin) 2005-07.

Career

Qualified 1979; Gray’s Inn; called to the Bar of Northern Ireland and the Bar of the Republic of Ireland, 1983; admitted to the New York State Bar, 1986; United States Federal Bar, 1987; took Silk 1999; Senior Counsel, Ireland, 2005. Bencher of Gray’s Inn; founder of the Personal Injury Bar Association of England and Wales (chairman 2001-02); former chairman of the Bar of England and Wales; previously chaired the Bar’s Public Affairs Committee; chairman of the Bar Conference 2001; chair of Inquiry into ASLEF, London 2005; chair of Review of Discovery by the Department of Education (Dublin) to the Commission of Enquiry into child abuse (2004). Qualified mediator.

Memberships

Western Circuit; PIBA.

Education

St Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon; Trinity College, Dublin (1977).

Leisure

Born 1954; resides London.