Personal Injury

David specialises in high-value personal injury and clinical negligence cases, particularly those involving brain or spinal cord injuries, amputations, serious psychiatric injuries and historical sex abuse claims. 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.

As a junior, he was regularly instructed, with or without a leader, in claims of the utmost severity. His highest award in that capacity was £5.85m, and he consistently achieved settlements totalling around £20m per year.

Since taking silk, his catastrophic injury practice has continued to develop, and 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.

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.

Called 1986; Silk 2018; Recorder 2002; Accredited Mediator 2006.

Northern Circuit Personal Injury Bar Association Professional Negligence Bar Association Northern Circuit Medico – Legal Association

LLB (Hons), University of Nottingham (Class II.i, 1985) Inner Temple, Duke of Edinburgh Entrance Scholarship

David is married with 4 children, 3 of whom have autism spectrum disorders. He was responsible for setting up a pro bono alliance between Exchange Chambers and the National Autistic Society to provide advice and representation in the field of special educational needs. This alliance has provided invaluable assistance to 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.