Personal Injury
David Knifton KC specialises in high-value personal injury and clinical negligence cases, particularly those involving brain or spinal cord injuries and amputations. He acts almost exclusively on behalf of claimants, where his abilities as an outstanding advocate are widely recognised. He is consistently recommended as a leading barrister in Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500, and was shortlisted as PI Silk of the Year by the Legal 500 in 2023 and 2024.
He is regularly instructed in claims of the utmost severity, and consistently achieves multi-million pound settlements each year. His enormous experience, meticulous preparation, excellent client skills and pragmatic approach are highly-valued by clients.
David generally only accepts new instructions in cases with a value in excess of £1m.
In addition to contested litigation, he has acted at a number of high-profile Inquests and Public Inquiries, including the North Wales (Waterhouse) Child Abuse Inquiry and the ‘Blue 25’ Inquest concerning the deaths of 5 UK servicemen shot by a rogue Afghan policeman.
David Knifton KC regularly provides lectures and training on topical legal issues both through Chambers and to organisations including AVMA, APIL, SCIL and PIBA, and is a frequent contributor to Chambers’ PI Newsletter.
He has over 20 years’ experience sitting as a Recorder in the Crown and County Courts.
Called 1986; Silk 2018; Recorder 2002; Accredited Mediator 2006.
David is married with 4 children, 3 of whom have autism spectrum disorders. He was responsible for setting up an award-winning pro bono alliance between Exchange Chambers and the National Autistic Society to provide advice and representation in the field of special educational needs. Until its termination by the NAS in 2024, this alliance provided invaluable assistance to numerous parents struggling to secure appropriate education to meet their children’s needs. Away from work, he is a keen musician, singing in a choir and occasionally playing guitar and keyboards in a band. He enjoys cycling, and was a member of the Chambers’ team which raised nearly £30,000 following a trans-Pennine charity ride.