12 King's Bench Walk

Achas Burin

Achas enjoys a varied practice in 12KBW’s core areas. She is keen to tackle research on complex points, including procedural ones and those involving a crossover between different spheres of law. She welcomes instructions in matters that cross the boundary between tort and public law. She is currently instructed in the Public Inquiry into Undercover Policing and the Infected Blood Inquiry. She previously had a longstanding involvement in the Kenya Emergency Group Litigation. She acted as a junior in Coventry v Lawrence (No. 3) [2015] UKSC 50, the landmark Supreme Court case concerning whether the costs regime under the Access to Justice Act 1999 complied with human rights law. She was also instructed in X v Kuoni Travel [2019] C-578/19, both in the Supreme Court and before the Court of Justice of the European Union, alongside William Audland QC and Nina Ross. Achas is a Lecturer in Law at Oxford Brookes University, where she teaches tort law and medical law.

Alex Carington

Alex’s practice encompasses 12KBW’s core areas with particular focus on travel, serious personal injury, clinical negligence, fraudulent claims and inquests. Alex is recognised as a leading junior in Legal500 in travel law as “punching well above his weight and is already an established specialist in Athens Conventions claims”. His passion remains in all forms of advocacy work, alongside his paper practice. Alex has good working knowledge of German having read Law and German Law at Exeter University before completing a Masters in German Law at Saarland University, Germany. He enjoys learning from different jurisdictions and is an Honorary Member of the Tampa Bar, Florida, after taking part in an exchange programme there. In his spare time, Alex enjoys baking, triathlon and skiing. He is a trained Level 2 Triathlon Coach and qualified to represent Team GB at age group level in the 2021 World Championships in Bermuda and the 2021 European Championships in Valencia. Alex brings his personal knowledge of sports coaching and procedures to his sports law practice.

Andrew Hogarth

-

Andrew Roy KC

Andrew specializes in complex and high value cases involving personal injury, costs, industrial disease, clinical negligence, professional negligence, limitation, property damage, and related areas. Andrew has a significant appellate practice.  He is head of the 12 KBW Costs Team.  He sits as a Deputy Costs Judge of the Senior Courts. Andrew is ranked as a Leading Junior in both Personal Injury and in Costs by both Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500.  The directories recommend him as being“adept at handling challenging cases of high complexity”, “a great strategist with an eye for the big picture at all times”, “legally savvy” a “fierce advocate, who is very bright but also practical”, “a great choice of counsel when you know you have a fight on your hands” and “Exceptional – he is straight to the point, technical and an all-round great barrister.” They note that he has “A razor-sharp intellect coupled with an encyclopaedic knowledge of the case law, who is able to combine both into dazzling and fearless advocacy”, is “happy taking on complex brain and spinal cases and frequently appears against QCs”, “concise, pays enormous attention to detail and is excellent with clients” and is “very thorough, persistent and persuasive in court.” As one of only a handful of barristers ranked by the directories in both personal injury and in costs, Andrew brings this in-depth crossover expertise to both his personal injury cases and his costs work.   The directories note that in respect to personal injury  he is “a strong negotiator and has the added value of real costs expertise” who is “Valued by instructing solicitors for his considerable knowledge of costs issues”.  They likewise note that in respect of costs he “draws strength to his practice through his personal injury expertise.” Before joining the Bar, he worked as a caseworker for the Legal Aid Board and then as an insurance claims handler.

Andrew Pickering

Andrew specialises in serious personal injury and professional negligence litigation and has a wide experience of advisory and advocacy work at interlocutory, first instance and appellate level. He is particularly interested in fatal accident claims, a subject on which he lectures regularly. He acts regularly in claims in relation to catastrophic injury including both brain injury claims and serious orthopaedic injury claims. His practice includes litigation arising out of accidents at work, accidents involving motor vehicles and public liability accidents from injuries sustained on highways to those sustained when engaging in sports and recreations. He undertakes a significant amount of clinical negligence and dental negligence litigation, specialising in the latter in part because his wife is a practicing General Dental Practitioner. He also specializes in industrial disease litigation focusing upon noise induced hearing loss, occupational asthma, industrial dermatitis, repeated insult back injury and vibration white finger. Andrew has been instructed at first instance and appellate level in respect of historic sex abuse claims involving children’s homes and football clubs. He is regularly instructed on Costs Management Conferences in Multi-Track claims of many types. He is instructed by both Claimant and Defendant solicitors. He is Deputy Head of Chambers and Head of the Civil Practice Group at Atlantic Chambers, Liverpool and is a former Northern Circuit Representative on the PIBA Executive Committee. He is recognised as a leading individual in the 2016 Legal 500.

Andrew Ward

Andrew is recommended in the Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 directories as a leading personal injury junior. He is regularly instructed in catastrophic injury claims valued in excess of £1m and does not accept instructions in new cases with a value below £250,000. Chambers & Partners 2022 says that: “He is technically very good, with an eye for detail. He sees the overall picture but doesn’t lose sight of more minute detail that is important to the case. He also has a lovely manner with clients.” He is experienced in representing properly interested persons at inquests. He also advises upon insurance policy coverage disputes related to personal injury claims. Andrew is a member of the Attorney General’s Regional ‘A’ Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown. He is also a tenant at Exchange Chambers in Manchester.

Andrew McLaughlin

Andrew is a leading senior junior in the fields of personal injury and industrial disease recommended in Chambers UK and the Legal 500 for over 20 years. Andrew continues to practise from St John’s Chambers in Bristol but is instructed nationwide by Defendants. He is known above all for being a formidable trial lawyer. He is ranked as a band 1 practitioner in personal injury and is listed as a disease expert in Chambers UK Spotlight table. He has been a member of the Government panel (‘Treasury Counsel’) since 2012. In 2018 he was appointed to the ‘A’ panel which is reserved for counsel expected to conduct work on the Government’s behalf involving millions of pounds against QCs. Andrew is instructed by all the  national firms nearly always on behalf of defendants and their insurers, especially in cases involving fundamental dishonesty, catastrophic injuries, amputations, fatal accidents, chronic pain disorders, serious psychiatric injuries as well as asbestos-related disease, HAVS, occupational stress, sexual abuse and WRULDs. He has been involved in numerous reported or high profile cases in recent years. He opened the appeal on behalf of the successful defendants in Denton v TH White. He appeared for the Defendant in Williams v Betsi Cadwaladr Local Health Board [2022] EWHC 455 (clinical negligence), Walkden v Drayton Manor Park [2021] EWHC 2056 (fundamental dishonesty), Arshdeep v Buttar Construction [2021] EWCA Civ 1408 (interim payment tetraplegia), ATX v CRS and DPS (2019) Kemp Quantum (severe child brain injury and tetraplegia), Smith v Secretary of State for Transport [2020] EWHC 1954 (asbestosis), Stewart v Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust [2017], EWCA Civ 2091 (manual handling), Dyson v Heart Of England NHS Trust [2017] EWHC 1910 (clinical negligence), Smith v Secretary of State for Transport [2020] EWHC 1954 (asbestos). This year he comprehensively defeated a well known QC in a £1.6m fundamental dishonesty claim to widespread national acclaim. Andrew acts primarily for defendants in complex clinical negligence cases. In addition, he defends public authorities against claims for misuse of private information, breach of confidence and breach of Data Protection legislation.

Angela Frost

Angela specialises in high value complex, and catastrophic personal injury claims. She is instructed by Claimants and Defendants in cases involving serious and high value personal injury. She has a loyal following of both solicitors and insurers due to her practical and no nonsense approach to claims. Angela has amassed a wealth of experience in cases involving chronic pain and subtle brain injury. She is sought after in such cases particularly where they have a potential fraud element. Angela is regularly instructed in cases where the value is in excess of £2million. Angela has extensive experience in claims involving fraud, whether exaggerated/feigned injury or staged accidents. Leading insurers turn to Angela at an early stage to advise in cases where fraud is suspected and can rely on her to deliver targeted and precise cross examination at trial. Claimant solicitors appreciate Angela’s ability to engage with their clients and the way in which she is able to deliver complex and difficult information and advice in a way that is appropriate and comprehensible to the individual in front of her. Angela is instructed nationally by leading firms and insurers and is often able to turn around papers at short notice. She is happy to receive instructions electronically. Angela sits on the Editorial Board of Kemp & Kemp: Law Practice and Procedure, and she edits the chapters on Service, Statements of Case, Admissions, Part 36, Trials, and Appeals.

Anna Symington

Anna specialises in high value personal injury claims.  Chambers & Partners 2022 say “She is user-friendly, very thorough and puts clients at ease. She is good at retaining detail and is great on medical evidence.” Anna acts in claims involving serious personal injury, with particular emphasis on claims with complex medical causation issues.  Her practice focuses on: all forms of pain syndromes, including chronic pain syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, fibromyalgia and somatoform disorders; fatalities; serious spinal damage; brain injury cases, including those characterised as subtle in nature and FND claims; complex orthopaedic and amputation cases; psychiatric conditions Anna deals with liability disputes in all forms of RTA, EL and PL claims.  She is currently instructed in a number of high value RTA claims with multiple accident reconstruction experts. Her caseload is heavily weighted towards acting for Insurers, but she is also regularly instructed on behalf of Claimants.  Anna frequently appears unled against QCs. Anna lives in the West Country but her practice is nationwide.

Arun Katyar

Arun is an experienced advocate specialising in personal injury. He is recommended in both the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners as a leading junior in this field. Arun acts for both Claimants and Defendants in high value multi-track cases, and is experienced in the full range of County and High Court trials, including claims involving fatality, chronic pain syndromes, serious spinal and brain injuries, and other forms of catastrophic injury.

Ben Leech

Ben acts for both Claimants and Defendants in the full range of Personal Injury cases. Particular experience includes (1) catastrophic injuries (spinal and brain injuries); (2) acting for insurers in suspected fraudulent and exaggerated claims (e.g. malingering, staged accidents, phantom passengers, slam-ons and low velocity collision cases amongst others); (3) employer’s liability claims; (4) fatal accidents; (5) MIB and RTA 1988 related issues; and (6) public liability claims. Ben’s insurance fraud work extends to fraudulent first party claims made on buildings/contents policies. These have covered claims ranging from allegedly damaged shotguns to veterinary treatment and stolen vehicles. The most significant, however, typically relate to fire and flood damage claims, often involving multiple insurers. Clinical negligence experience includes failed orchidectomy, hernia repair and dental cases as well as claims arising out of cosmetic procedures such as UV treatment and laser hair removal.

Brian McCluggage

Brian McCluggage conducts catastrophic personal injury work, predominantly in the interest of insurers. He accepts instructions in cases where the pleaded value is likely to be in excess of £500,000 and as sole counsel in cases valued at up to £15 million. Brian adopts a rigorous approach to evidential analysis and preparation (lay, expert and documentary) and enjoys working in a team with professional clients who share this philosophy.  Instructions regularly involve: a.  Liability disputes involving technical or scientific evidence. b.  Brain injury, from contested minor TBI to the most serious of catastrophic injury involving Minimally Conscious State. c. Amputation, both upper and lower limb. d. Complex fatal cases, particularly those involving business interests and accountancy evidence. e. High value cases with the taint of fraud. Recent cases of interest include: Monks v. Connollys Scaffolding (2022): 5 day liability & quantum trial involving allegation of fraud in context of moderate brain injury and severe shoulder injury leading to loss of scaffolding occupation. £700,000 claim reduced to £3,500. Re F (2022): £14m brain damage/psychiatric injury claim settled after JSM at £3m Forsyth v. Carnforth Hotel (2021): successful defence of occupational liability case after C fell out of hotel window sustaining serious lower limb injuries. Novus Actus and Volenti defences succeeded. Successfully distinguished James v. White Lion Hotel (2020) CA. Re H (2021): serious brain injury case settled at £6m through Periodical Payment Order Blake v. Croasdale [2019] RTR 73: successful defence of £4m brain damage claim on basis of ex turpi causa brought by Leeds drug dealer Tuson v. Murphy [2018] EWCA Civ 461 (Court of Appeal): leading case on interaction between CPR Part 36 and exaggerated claims Axa v. FCS [2018] EWCA Civ 1330 (Court of Appeal): leading case on exemplary damages in respect of road traffic fraud. Shui v. University of Manchester [2018] ICR 77: Appeal Tribunal case principles setting out adjustments for litigants suffering mental illness McHugh v. Okai-Koi [2017] EWHC 1346 (QBD):  defending fatal case after road rage incident in London public house. Ex turpi causa, contributory negligence. C failed to beat Part 36 after 4 day High Court trial Blake v. 1) Croasdale 2) Esure [2017] EWHC 1336 (QBD): a leading case on resiling from admissions Select Car Rentals v. Esure Services Limited [2017] EWHC 1434 (QBD): leading case on third party costs orders against credit hire companies Hatfield v. 1) Drax & 2) SG Transport (2017): successful liability defence of truck accident leading to upper limb amputation Brian is also a tenant at 9 St. John Street Chambers in Manchester.

Catherine Peck

Catherine specialises in catastrophic and complex personal injury claims.  She has over 25 years’ experience at the Personal Injury Bar, is regularly instructed as sole counsel in claims in excess of £2m and is recognised as a leading junior. Directories’ feedback includes: “a fearless and persuasive advocate who is meticulous in her preparation” “she is very clear, sensible and takes all the right points” “a very able, assured and confident barrister” “she is always excellently prepared and gives great tactical advice” “extremely thorough and a very good advocate. She’s a clear communicator and instils great confidence in her clients”. Aside from being a very effective trial advocate, Catherine is an accomplished negotiator with an established track record of advising on evidence and strategy and guiding the cases on which she is instructed to a successful conclusion via ADR.  Whether acting for claimants or defendants, she has built strong working relationships with those instructing her, resulting in regular repeat instructions. Whilst Catherine usually acts as sole counsel (frequently where Queen’s Counsel is instructed by other party), she is regularly led in cases of particularly complexity, importance or high value (recent examples being by William Audland QC, Harry Steinberg QC and Steven Snowden QC). Catherine is an accredited mediator (civil and commercial disputes; workplace disputes) and has a particular interest in the psychology and tactics of negotiation.  She provides talks to solicitors and is a very experienced advocacy trainer.

Charles Robertshaw

Charles specialises in complex personal injury claims. He is regularly instructed for both claimants and defendants in a wide range of personal injury work involving serious injury and death, including: employers’ liability, public liability, highways claims, clinical negligence, and road traffic liability. Charles’ practice involves claims of high value, including some in excess of £1 million. Charles is known for combining his notorious attention to detail and thorough preparation with an ability to identify the key issues in the case and provide pragmatic, clear, logical advice to his clients. Charles is an experienced, persuasive and robust trial advocate. He is approachable and builds a strong rapport with his instructing solicitors and clients. Where settlement is appropriate for his clients, he is a skilled negotiator both in JSM’s and in mediations and regularly achieves successful outcomes for his clients without recourse to trial.

Charley Turton

Charley specialises in clinical negligence, abuse, and injury claims with an international element. Her broader personal injury practice encompasses interests in motor insurance, military claims, and sports law. She is also keen to grow her practise in inquests and inquiries. Charley has been led by Harry Steinberg QC, Patrick Vincent QC and Andrew Roy of 12KBW and regularly does work for other members of chambers in high value cases. In addition to a busy paperwork practice, Charley is regularly in court for trials, PTRs, CCMCs, interim applications and approval hearings. As a member of Advocate (formerly the Bar Pro Bono Unit), Charley is willing to act in a pro bono capacity, where appropriate. Prior to coming to the Bar, Charley studied English Literature at Merton College, Oxford, and was awarded a Blue for football. When she is not in chambers Charley plays for Camden Town Football Club and enjoys cinema, yoga, competing in triathlons and hiking in locations ranging from the Lake District to the Atlas Mountains. In 2020 she summited Kilimanjaro, but COVID-19 has kept her closer to home in recent years. Charley is clerked by George Boggis ([email protected]) and Daniella Evans ([email protected]).

Charlotte Reynolds

Charlotte represents both claimants and defendants in a broad range of catastrophic personal injury and clinical negligence claims including those involving brain injury, spinal injury, and amputation claims. She has a particularly strong reputation in claims involving serious psychiatric injury, chronic pain, and somatoform disorders, including Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Functional Neurological Disorder. Her knowledge of the health and social care sector also means that she brings additional insight and experience to cases involving injuries sustained in a hospital or care home setting. Charlotte has a particular interest in claims involving dishonesty ranging from high value claims involving exaggerated injury and loss to staged accidents, and regularly lectures on the topic. She is often involved at an early stage to review the evidence and advise on the best tactical approach to lead the case to a successful resolution be that a finding of fundamental dishonesty, discontinuance, or settlement well below the pleaded value. Charlotte also advises insurers and policyholders on policy disputes concerning policy wording and coverage and indemnity issues. Charlotte is also a member of the Bar Council Ethics Committee.

Craig Murrary

Craig joined 12 King’s Bench Walk as a tenant in December 2018, having successfully completed a practising pupillage at these Chambers. Craig has been an Advocate at the Scottish Bar for over 10 years, where he has considerable experience in a full range of personal injury and clinical negligence work. He has appeared in the Supreme Court (Campbell v. Peter Gordon Joiners Ltd [2016] UKSC 38) and has conducted a civil jury trial without a leader (Bridges v. Alpha Insurance 2016 SLT 859). He has appeared in an 8-day trial against experienced senior and junior counsel (Pocock v. Highland Council [2017] CSOH 40 (aff’d [2017] CSIH 76). He has appeared in numerous appeals to the Inner House of the Court of Session, with and without a leader. He has prosecuted serious crime (including attempted murder) in the High Court of Justiciary. Craig is primarily instructed by UK-wide insurers and local authorities, but accepts instructions to act for claimants, particularly in clinical and professional negligence cases. He is regularly instructed in high-value RTA claims involving fatalities or brain injury. He has considerable experience in defending stress at work, harassment and assault claims, in particular those arising in schools and care establishments. Craig has an interest in local authority liability and issues of justiciability. During his pupillage, Craig had experience of motor insurance law. Craig is available to accept instructions throughout the jurisdiction. He maintains a practice at Compass Chambers in Edinburgh.

Cressida Mawdesley-Thomas

Cressida’s practice encompasses the full range of Chambers’ key specialisms, acting for Claimants, Defendants and all interested parties in Coronial proceedings. Cressida has a keen interest in disease litigation and completed a six-month industrial disease secondment at Royds Withy King. She acts for Claimants (and their families) suffering from Diffuse Pleural Thickening, asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. She is well versed in limitation arguments and complex issues of causation. As second Junior in Mather v MOD she helped obtain a multi-million settlement for a former RAF painter & finisher who developed MS following exposure to organic solvents. She has a busy cross-border practice and has dealt with complex issues arising out of Brexit, successfully acting as Junior Counsel for the Second Defendant in Covea Insurance Plc v Greenaway [2021] 3 WLUK 379. In domestic PI her focus is on equine and Animals Act claims. Cressida is regularly instructed in multi-day inquests involving multiple expert jurisdictions. She successfully obtained a regulation 28 prevention of future death report in a case arising out of police treatment of head injuries and questioned exerts in pathology, neuropathology, and toxicology. Cressida acts and advises in costs-only proceedings and is an effective advocate at CCMC hearings. Prior to coming to the Bar Cressida worked at a top American investment bank. She is highly numerate and drafts living and fatal schedules of loss beyond her year of call.

Daniel Tobin

Daniel has a well-established personal injuries practice. He has particular expertise in actions involving local authorities, especially claims arising from accidents on the highway (see Galloway v. London Borough of Richmond (2003) and Curtis v. HCC [2014] EWHC 1672 (QB)). He is regularly instructed to defend occupiers, public and employer’s liability claims for public authorities and private clients, and claims involving fraud. He also defends Cavity Wall Insulation claims. He is frequently instructed in claims involving serious road traffic accidents, particularly those involving cyclists, motorcycles or where there is a large credit hire claim. He is a Contributing Editor to Personal Injury Pleadings (Sweet & Maxwell, 2014).

Daniel Sokol

Daniel is ranked as a “Leading Junior” in the Legal 500 (2022), where he is described as a “good tactician with a razor-sharp mind” with “extensive expertise in clinical negligence cases”. He has a specialist interest in personal injury, clinical negligence, and education law. He has experience of high value catastrophic PI and clinical negligence cases, including fatal accidents, tetraplegia, amputations and severe somatoform disorders. He has represented families at inquests involving deaths in hospital. A former university lecturer with a PhD in medical ethics, he is comfortable on his feet and in writing.   In November 2011, as a pupil, Daniel was awarded the Inner Temple Advocacy Prize and he has since been involved in advocacy training for Bar students. He undertakes a wide range of court work, acting for both Claimants and Defendants. Daniel is the Lead Adviser for Alpha Academic Appeals, assisting university students who have been accused of misconduct, from cheating to sexual assault, who are appealing academic results, or who are undergoing fitness to practise procedures. Daniel has been a keynote speaker in international medical conferences, an after-dinner speaker, written four books on ethics and law and over 400 articles, both in peer-reviewed academic journals and in newspapers such as the Times, the Guardian, the Telegraph, the Independent, and the New York Times. He is a columnist for the British Medical Journal on ethico-legal issues, for which he was awarded ‘Best Column’ by the Medical Journalists’ Association in 2015.  He appears regularly on the BBC as an expert in medical law and ethics. In 2020, Daniel was appointed Chairman of the Metropolitan Police Research Ethics Committee.  He was formerly a member of several committees, including those for the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Justice, and the Royal College of Surgeons. He is trained to accept direct instructions from the public under the Bar’s public access scheme and has authority to conduct litigation.  He is an accredited mediator. He speaks French fluently, has conversational Spanish, and enjoys squash and tennis. He is a close-up magician and, in 2014, was admitted as a Member of the Magic Circle.

David Callow

David has a wide-ranging practice with substantial experience of claims of the utmost severity. He has particular experience and expertise in handling claims involving psychiatric injury (particularly occupational stress claims), chronic pain and complex claims involving multiple and/ or catastrophic injury. He is widely instructed by major insurers in their efforts to combat fraudulent claims and particularly adept at the tactics required in such claims. He has been recognised for several years by Chambers and partners as a leading junior and is regularly instructed by both Claimants and Defendant in cases involving particular complexity in relation to causation and the valuation of quantum. A large proportion of his claims are resolved at settlement meetings where he is an experienced and robust negotiator. David speaks regularly on a wide range of topics most recently in relation to fraud and stress at work claims.

David Sanderson

David is a highly experienced senior junior who has specialised for over 25 years in personal injury and clinical negligence work.  His practice principally involves claims for catastrophic injury and fatal accidents. David receives instructions from most of the leading specialist PI solicitors and acts both for claimants and for insurers. Both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners recognise David as a “Leading Junior” and he has been included in their annual editions for over 10 years.  He was nominated for Junior of the Year in Personal Injury at the Chambers Bar Awards 2014 and 2021. David is married with one daughter.  Away from the bar he is a keen cyclist and loves sea swimming, India and opera.  

David White

David’s principal areas of practice are personal injury, clinical negligence, insurance/indemnity disputes and costs law. He has been listed as a leading junior in Personal Injury work in Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500 for many years. David acts for claimants and defendants and is regularly instructed to represent clients both at court and at Joint Settlement Meetings. David is known as a “robust but realistic” advocate and negotiator, with excellent client care skills. In the Personal Injury field David is regularly instructed in RTA, EL, PL, product liability and holiday claims. David has particular expertise in serious injury cases including amputation, head injury, stress/CRPS and spinal injury. David also has a particular interest in all disease cases (asbestos, work related upper limb disorder/RSI, and HAVS) and cases with an international flavour that raise issues as to jurisdiction or applicable law. In his clinical negligence practice, David acts principally for claimants. He regularly advises in cases involving complex medical issues, particularly concerning causation. David also has an extensive costs practice, and regularly acts for paying and receiving parties in detailed assessments in the SCCO and the County Courts, often concerning substantial seven figure bills. He has been instructed in disputes concerning the enforceability of Conditional Fee Agreements and the recovery of uplifts and ATE insurance premiums. David also advises insurers and policy-holders on policy disputes concerning policy wording and coverage and indemnity issues, and advises in solicitors negligence cases. David has expertise in cross-border PI claims and is regularly instructed in cases that raise issues as to jurisdiction (Brussels Recast Regulation) and applicable law (Rome II). David regularly lectures and presents seminars to solicitors and insurers. He has recently lectured on recent developments in EL claims, loss of earnings claims for the self-employed, costs claims and Part 36 developments. David sits on the Editorial Board of Kemp & Kemp: Law Practice and Procedure, and he edits the chapters on Provisional Damages, Interim Payments and MIB Claims.

David Sharpe

Dr David Sharpe KC specialises in clinical negligence, professional negligence, serious personal injury, construction, sport, inquests & inquiries and property law. David practices within all areas of England & Wales and works for claimants and defendants. He practiced as a doctor to Consultant level in Emergency Medicine (and is a Fellow of both the Royal College of Surgeons and Royal College of Physicians) prior to qualifying as a Barrister and  retains an exceptional knowledge of scientific, medical and technical matters relevant to his current legal practice. David is also admitted to the Inner Bar in a number of other jurisdictions, has developed expertise of jurisdictional issues and has built a strong international aspect to his practice. He regularly receives instructions from overseas. He has fully embraced ADR and is a qualified arbitrator and mediator. As such he is equally happy to act either as arbitrator/mediator or as counsel in such proceedings.

David Green

David is a specialist employment and personal injury barrister. He represents Claimants and Defendants in claims arising from all aspects of these areas of practice. In personal injury David has a particular specialism and expertise in industrial disease (including asbestos disease) and military claims. In employment David specializes in whistleblowing claims as well as all aspects of discrimination. He sits on the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s panel of counsel.

Edward Ramsay

Edward is ranked as a Leading Junior for Inquests and Inquiries in the Legal 500. He has been described as having “a natural instinct of which lines of inquiry to pursue with witnesses” (2020), “very proactive and gives clear and concise advice. Easy to approach and communicate with. Very good on his feet and with witnesses” (2021), and as having an “utter and dogged commitment to leaving no stone unturned when considering a case’s strengths and weaknesses, and an innovative thinker in respect of inquests” (2022). Edward accepts instructions across all practice areas in Chambers. He specialises in healthcare and inquest law and is frequently instructed in lengthy and complex hospital inquests, including enhanced Article 2 inquests and jury inquests. In 2021 Ed was appointed Assistant Coroner for the Swansea Neath Port Talbot area. He retains a busy personal injury and clinical negligence practice acting for claimants and defendants, particularly in the field of fatal accident claims, and often where he has previously appeared at the inquest relating to the death in question. He has led many high value cases through from inquest to successful settlement, including at JSM and mediation. Ed has extensive experience managing experts in conference and in drafting statements of case and complex schedules of loss. As a result of his inquest practice, he has a wealth of experience in general witness handling, including examination of experts. Ed continues to act for large insurers in fraud and related costs work arising out RTA and exaggerated credit hire claims.  

Elizabeth Boulden

Elizabeth’s personal injury practice has particular specialisms in clinical negligence, inquests, employers’ liability and international and travel claims. She frequently represents parties in trials, CCMCs and application hearings. Elizabeth also has a busy paperwork practice advising and drafting pleadings. She is comfortable dealing with multi-track and high value cases. Elizabeth has advised in clinical negligence cases and in industrial disease claims relating to NIHL and HAVS. She is a co-editor of 12KBW’s clinical negligence blog. Prior to her legal studies, she achieved 2 science Masters Degrees, with particular focus on virology, immunology, cancer biology and laboratory research.

Emily Read

Emily practices in all areas of personal injury law. Her main interests are employers’ liability, public liability and industrial disease litigation. She has experience of psychiatric injury, fatal accidents, Animals’ Act, fraud and road traffic cases. Emily acts for claimants and defendants in fast-track and multi-track trials, applications and cost assessments. Emily has a strong paper-based practice; she drafts proceedings and advises on all types and levels of personal injury claim. Emily has extensive experience of employment and discrimination law. She acts for claimants and respondents in all areas of the field, including unfair dismissal, redundancy, breach of contract, whistle-blowing and TUPE. Emily regularly appears in preliminary and multi-day hearings and is frequently instructed to advise on a broad range of issues. Emily has a special interest in claims that combine her two practice areas. She has considerable expertise in disability discrimination, ill health dismissals and workplace stress claims. Emily is a credit hire specialist. She principally acts for defendant insurers in high-value claims. Emily’s common law practice also includes the sale of goods, the supply of goods and services and general contractual and commercial disputes.

Farhana Mukith

Farhana accepts instructions in most areas of Chambers’ work, with a particular interest in personal injury, fraud and insurance. Farhana has a varied practice representing Claimants and Defendants across many of 12KBW’s areas of expertise. Farhana appears regularly in trials, CCMCs, approval hearings and application hearings.

Gemma Scott

Gemma specialises in personal injury work. She is particularly experienced in catastrophic injury cases and in claims for asbestos-related disease. She is routinely instructed in her own right, but also acts regularly as a junior in high-value claims. Interesting cases: Concept 70 Ltd & others v Cape Intermediate Holdings plc: Instructed alongside Michael Rawlinson Q.C. and Charles Béar Q.C. in a major product liability group action. Insurers sought a contribution to settled claims from the manufactures of asbestos products. The claim involved complex liability issues, specifically the assessment of the relative culpability and the interplay of liabilities between the employers of those working with Asbestolux boards, Cape as the manufacturer/supplier and Cape’s subsidiary companies. The 6-week trial was heard by Picken J. The matter settled for a considerable sum before judgment was handed down. AK (by her Litigation Friend, LK) v SK: Instructed by the Claimant as junior Counsel to John Kimbell Q.C. The Claimant was 15 years old when she was involved in a road traffic accident in France. She suffered life-threatening head and spinal injuries. Before the accident, the Claimant’s intellect was in the superior range. Despite sustaining a very severe brain injury and suffering profound neurological disabilities, it remains in that elevated range. However, the Claimant is unable to produce effective speech as she developed severe dysphasia and dysarthria. Her mobility is also seriously compromised; she is unable to walk functionally and is largely wheelchair-bound. The case involves interesting issues of applicable law and the measure of damages in France and England. It is ongoing. NC (by her Litigation Friend, DC) v DC: Instructed for the Claimant with Robert Weir Q.C. The Claimant suffered an extremely severe brain injury when she was just 6 years old and has been left with devastating injuries. She sustained a significant degree of cognitive impairment and is unlikely to ever achieve functional speech or mobility. The case is ongoing. Bussey v Anglia Heating: Junior to Michael Rawlinson Q.C. for the Claimant. The Claimant sought to challenge the application of Williams v University of Birmingham in low-exposure mesothelioma claims arising out of employment. The trial judge held that he was bound by Williams and found against the Claimant on the basis that asbestos exposure fell below contemporary hygiene limits. Permission to appeal was granted on an expedited basis. The Court of Appeal will hear the appeal in January 2018. CIT (by her Litigation friend, DIT) v RSA Plc: Instructed with Frank Burton Q.C. for the Claimant. The Claimant suffered a catastrophic brain injury in a road traffic accident when aged 17. Her cognitive impairments were so severe that she would never be capable of remunerative employment. She also had marked physical difficulties and was predominantly wheelchair-dependent. She needed extensive ongoing care and assistance and would never be independent. The claim settled a JSM for over £3m plus periodical payments (equivalent to an overall lump sum in excess of £7m).

Gerard Martin

Specialist in catastrophic injury work for Claimants. Other specialties include claims for amputees, pain and somatoform disorders. In the way his career has developed both at the junior bar and in silk, he has been instructed almost exclusively by those acting for Claimants (including those employed in the military), save for one or two occasions when insurance companies have sought his assistance. The majority of his work over the past 15 years in silk has been for clients with severe brain injuries, be they adults or children, the injuries resulting as the consequence of accidents or by way of clinical negligence. Each case of severe brain injury is unique and experience has taught him that it is unwise to generalise about outcomes, much depends upon the individual and the support they receive. Practising in this specialty has meant that the experts on both sides of the litigation divide are known to him, as are the centres of excellence for rehabilitation of the brain injured.

Ghazaleh Rezaie

Ghazaleh is known to her solicitors for her attention to detail and ability to assimilate large amounts of information quickly and efficiently. Ghazaleh is sensitive to the commercial realities of litigation and strives to achieve results which make practical and commercial sense to those instructing her. Clients find her approachable and appreciate the way she is able to put them at ease swiftly. She is an effective and persuasive advocate with excellent cross-examination skills. Ghazaleh’s practice encompasses all aspects of Employment and Personal Injury Law, acting for both Claimants and Defendants and from individuals to large corporate entities.

Helen Waller

Helen has developed extensive experience in both oral and written advocacy, accepting instructions from claimants and defendants across all of 12KBW’s core areas in multi- and fast-track trials. Helen has particular experience in personal injury, industrial disease, and clinical negligence. She regularly appears in trials, CCMCs, approval hearings and applications and has experience of inquests and appeals. She has experience of JSMs, both as junior and sole counsel. Helen is happy to accept instructions on a CFA basis. Away from 12KBW Helen enjoys wine tasting, cycling, and travelling.

Henry Charles

Henry is recognised as a leading personal injury and clinical negligence practitioner.  He acts for Claimants and Defendants typically in complex and high value claims.  He has negotiated settlements as high as nearly £7,000,000. He was awarded Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence Junior Barrister of the Year award in 2014 by Chambers & Partners.  He has appeared in their guide for many years, recommended in both personal injury and clinical negligence.  Observers have said, for example,  “I am impressed by his attention to detail and his commitment to ensure that no stone gets left unturned. He has a very agile and adaptable approach to things” and that he is “A tower of strength; he is calm in the midst of battle, knows how to read judges and is an excellent strategist”  He has also been described as “unflappable and laser-like in terms of his focus.”, an “extremely safe pair of hands,” and as “delightful” with both “panache and a beautiful manner”. “He knows when to fight,” declare observers. Henry encourages a team approach, he is happy to travel to see claimants and insurers alike.

Hollie Patterson

Hollie’s principal areas of practice are employment and discrimination. She has been instructed in various high value, high profile and complex trials, and is in demand not only for her ability to obtain excellent outcomes, but also for her approachable and reassuring manner with clients. Hollie is also an experienced CEDR accredited mediator. The focus of her mediation practice is employment and workplace disputes. Hollie acts for both employers and employees. She has worked with a range of clients from national corporations and NHS trusts to small businesses and private individuals. She has specialist experience in claims involving public sector organisations and is well aware of the challenges, both legal and practical, such claims pose.

Hugh Hamill

Hugh specialises in high value complex personal injury, professional negligence, clinical negligence and industrial disease and general insurance work. Last year was another excellent year for Hugh and has seen him continuing to represent major insurers; public authorities; large corporations and seriously injured claimants in high-value claims, particularly those involving chronic pain/fibromyalgia/traumatic brain injury. Very often in these types of claims, causation is hotly disputed and issues of malingering, fraud, fundamental dishonesty and exaggeration arise. He is known as an extremely tough negotiator both in JSM’s and in mediations and regularly delivers sensible outcomes for all parties, avoiding the costs and risks of a contested trial. He has been listed as a Leading Junior in Personal Injury for over 20 years. In Chambers and Partners 2022, Hugh is noted for his work in cases involving fibromyalgia and brain and spinal injuries. He is particularly noted for his “courtroom prowess” and being “an extremely good negotiator and a very good advocate”. “He is able to identify key issues very quickly and get to the real core of the case.” Previous editions referred to him as “bright, bold and ethical.” He is praised for being a “slick and tenacious court performer” who “rolls up his sleeves and gets his hands dirty,” and as a “razor sharp” advocate.” The Legal 500 recommends Hugh where there is malingering or fraud. He is ‘an excellent advocate with a no-nonsense approach to cases’. Hugh is also responsible for the development and the supervision of Chambers I.T. network and the continued expansion of the I.T. infrastructure. He has a very strong grasp of technical; engineering issues and a fine eye for detail. He lives in Oxfordshire and can accept instructions at short notice either by DX or email. He is married with 2 children.

Isaac Hogarth

Isaac has a specialist clinical negligence and personal injury practice. A large number of Isaac’s instructions relate to cases involving life-changing spinal and brain injuries, chronic pain and fatalities. Isaac is often instructed by defendants in cases involving allegations of fraud. He is ranked as a leading junior in personal injury in the current edition of the Legal 500, which notes “Isaac is very thorough, considered and extremely intelligent”. Isaac is an experienced advocate with an excellent track record at trials, joint settlement meetings and mediations. He also provides written advice on liability, quantum, evidence and procedure, drafts statements of case and advises in conference. In addition to his civil practice, Isaac is often instructed to provide representation at inquests, particularly those arising from deaths in hospitals and road traffic accidents.

Ivan Bowley

Ivan Bowley specialises in industrial disease and serious personal injury, acting on behalf of claimants. For many years he has been one of the leading juniors at the Bar for industrial disease litigation. Ivan also practices at Lincoln House Chambers in Manchester and has regularly been listed in Chambers and Partners Band 1 for personal injury on the Northern Circuit and as a leading practitioner in the Legal 500. He is listed in Band 1 of the Chambers and Partners’ list “Personal Injury: Industrial Disease – All Circuits”.

James Sullivan

James has a High Court and multi-track practice specialising in all aspects of personal injury and clinical negligence. He has complementary expertise in respect of accidents abroad and insurance fraud. He is very regularly instructed as sole Counsel in cases valued well in excess of £1,000,000.  James’ personal injury practice is focused on cases involving catastrophic and life changing injuries. He has particular expertise in respect of serious brain or head injuries cases (including subtle brain injuries), amputation cases (upper and lower limb), cases involving fusion or joint replacement surgery, and cases involving major psychiatric injuries. James also has very considerable experience in respect of cases involving rheumatological conditions and non-organic pain cases. His recent and current case load includes cases concerning Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, alleged post-traumatic fibromyalgia, Functional Neurological Disorders and Somatic Symptom Disorders. He is often instructed in cases where there are elements of fraud, malingering and exaggeration. James international or cross-border work is focused on accidents abroad. He has extensive experience of Rome II and of handling cases involving the application of foreign law both in terms of liability and quantum.  James also has experience of claims involving the application of the EU Motor Insurance Directive In his clinical negligence practice, James acts principally for claimants. He regularly advises in cases involving complex medical issues, particularly concerning causation. James is ranked as a Leading Junior in both Chambers and Partners (Band 3) and Legal 500 in respect of Personal Injury. He acted for the successful parties in the recently reported High Court cases of Levitt v Euro Building and Maintenance Contractors Ltd [2019] EWHC 2926 (QB) 11 Nov 2019 (vicarious liability for assault perpetrated by a sub-contractor, ex turpi causa); and Robinson v Barker (1) Markerstudy (2) [2020] EWHC 3097 (QB) (brain injury, liability only trial, accident reconstruction evidence). Outside of Chambers, James is heavily involved with a charity which funds Research Fellowships at the Royal Marsden Hospital (lecure.org).

James Candlin

Specialist personal injury practitioner. Recognised as a leading junior in Chambers & Partners notably for travel related work. However, his experience is broad including product liability, occupational disease, fatal and catastrophic head and bodily injury often in consequence of cycling, motorcycling and motor racing accidents.  He has a science degree and is known for cases which have technical features, product liability, food poisoning, unusual pathogens, and scientific causation arguments as well as clinical negligence claims. James specialises in health & safety, and is regularly instructed to act in relation to prosecution arising from serious accidents and near misses in industry, freight transport, medical and care institutions. On several occasions James has conducted inquest, criminal and civil proceedings in the same matter. Away from work James attention is directed at his 4 children, watching and playing sport, keeping bees, making and mending furniture.

James Pickering

James is recognised by the Legal 500 2022 as a “rising star” of the personal injury bar. He is described as having “a brilliantly analytical yet creative legal intellect which he brings to bear in the most legally challenging of claims”, with jurisdictional issues highlighted as “a particular forte of his”. James specialises in cases involving serious injuries and fatal accidents, with a focus on international litigation. He frequently acts in cross-border claims involving jurisdictional challenges and the application of foreign laws. He edits the “Accidents Abroad” section of Butterworths Personal Injury Litigation Service (LexisNexis UK). James is particularly experienced in industrial disease litigation of all kinds. He is an editor of both leading practitioner textbooks in this area: Occupational Illness Litigation and Asbestos: Law & Litigation (both Sweet & Maxwell).

Jeremy McKeown

Jeremy accepts instructions across all of 12KBW’s core areas. He has particular experience in claims involving employment and discrimination (with expertise in post-termination restrictions), costs, public / occupiers’ / employers’ liability, insurance, credit hire and fundamental dishonesty. His practice encompasses advisory work, drafting and advocacy in fast track and multi-track claims, both in the High Court and County Courts. Owing to previous employment at a City law firm, he has a detailed knowledge of civil procedure and experience across a broad range of commercial and arbitration, regulatory and fraud work. He is a contributor to several blogs and publications in his specialist areas.

Joel Kendall

Joel specialises in personal injury, employment law and clinical negligence. He has extensive experience of working at the interface of personal injury and employment, in particular in the areas of workplace stress and harassment. He is regularly instructed by some of the leading claimant and defendant solicitors. In addition he is instructed by public authorities and Trade Unions.  Joel regularly provides lectures on a variety of employment and personal injury areas, including the operation of the Johnson exclusion area, a difficult and complex subject affecting both personal injury and employment litigation. Outside the law Joel’s interests include classical music, cinema and Wycombe Wanderers FC.

John-Paul Swoboda

John-Paul specialises in all aspects of Personal Injury law. He is known for his expertise in Serious Injury, Asbestos Litigation, International and Travel litigation, Clinical Negligence, and Inquests. He undertakes high value work appearing in the High Court and Court of Appeal. He is approachable and thorough and enjoys working as part of a team. In relation to asbestos claims he is instructed by most, if not all, well-regarded claimant firms with an established asbestos team. He is ranked in Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500. Recent reported cases include: Witham v Steve Hill Ltd [2021] EWCA Civ 1312 (led by Steven Snowden QC); Gregory v H J Haynes Ltd [2020] EWHC 911 (Ch); Helm v Kenyon & Sons Ltd v Somewatch Ltd [2019] EWHC 1108 (QB); Cary v Vauxhall Motors Ltd [2019] EWHC 238 (QB); Mark v Universal Coatings and Services Ltd v Barrier Ltd [2018] EWHC 3206 (QB); Stacey v Triplex Safety Glass Company Ltd [2017] EWHC 1945 (QB). John-Paul’s is ranked in the Legal 500 for Travel Law including Jurisdictional issues. His private international law expertise spans jurisdiction (pre and post Brexit), applicable law (pre and post Brexit), forum non conveniens cases and service out of the jurisdiction. John-Paul also has expertise in Package Holiday cases, Athens and Montreal Convention cases and clinical negligence cases with a foreign element. As a result of his Spanish language skills John-Paul is often instructed in Spanish cases and has appeared as an expert in English law in the Spanish Courts. Recent reported cases include: Chouza v Martins & Ors [2021] EWHC 1669 (QB) (Spanish law); Haggerty-Garton v ICI [2021] EWHC 2924 (QB) (Scots law). John-Paul’s clinical negligence work is high value and he receives instructions from most ranked firms. He is ranked in the Legal 500 for his clinical negligence work. He enjoys the medical and scientific aspect of such litigation and works closely with his instructing solicitors and experts. He has significant experience of cases involving birth injury, amputation, unnecessary and negligent surgery, delayed diagnosis, fatal cases, disclosure of risk and the negligent administration of clinical drugs. He is an editor of the Clinical Negligence Law blog. John-Paul is listed in the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for his more general personal injury work which include EL, PL and RTA cases. Recent reported cases include: Irani v Duchon [2019] EWCA Civ 1846. John-Paul acts for bereaved families, and occasionally acts for other interested parties, at Inquests. John-Paul has particular interest and expertise in Article 2 ECHR enhanced Inquests. He has acted in high profile Inquests such as the Inquest touching the death of Toni Speck (a death in police custody); the Inquest touching the death of Graham Coker (a death following oesophageal cancer surgery where there department was subsequently shut down); the Inquest touching the death of Jodie White-Charles where a young mother died of sickle cell complications as a result of Trust failures.

Kate Chandler

Kate is a specialist personal injury barrister. She joined Chambers in 1991, having completed pupillage under the supervision of William Featherby QC and HHJ Hornby. She is instructed by claimants and defendants. Kate had an extended period of maternity leave from November 2001 (on the birth of her 3rd child) until January 2009 (when her 4th child started primary school). She currently works on a part time basis. Kate accepts instructions across all of chambers’ core areas. She regularly appears in trials, interim applications, CMCs, CCMCs and appeals. She undertakes work on a CFA basis. Kate’s years of experience mean that she is particularly skilled at negotiating in difficult cases. In her spare time, Kate is a keen runner and has successfully finished the London and Brighton marathons.

Kweku Aggrey-Orleans

Kweku prides himself on maintaining a successful practice across all the main areas of expertise within chambers. He advises and regularly appears in personal injury, employment and contractual / commercial disputes. He is recognized for his strong client care skills in guiding clients through the litigation process and ability to bring about the pragmatic resolution of disputes. Kweku regularly advises and represents both Claimants and Respondents before the employment tribunals, the Employment Appeal Tribunal and the county courts, all in matters arising from the employment relationship. His experience encompasses claims for unfair dismissal (redundancy and misconduct), discrimination (particularly race, sex and disability), whistleblowing cases together with claims involving the enforcement of restrictive covenants and anti- competitive behaviour by employers. Examples of recent court and advisory work include: Acting on behalf of insurers to challenge excessive credit hire claims Advising insurers on staged road traffic accidents. Advising on the construction of hire purchase and lease purchase agreements made with a waste refuse company. Advising on the interpretation of the terms of a household contents policy where there had been material non disclosure. Advising on the enforceability of restrictive covenants and anti-competition clauses post employment. Advising on the standard terms of a contract for the transportation of goods some of which were stolen and damaged in transit. Advising on the merits for insurance funding purposes of applications before employment tribunals. Advising and acting in age, sex, sexual orientation and disability discriminations claims before the employment tribunals and the EAT. Kweku’s clients have included senior bank executives, police officers, trade union representatives, government workers and individuals working within the financial services sector, banks, local authorities, firms of solicitors and SMEs. Kweku is also a member of the Bar and Solicitor’s roll of the Republic of Ghana, where he continues an active practice. During his time away from chambers he continues to advise clients and undertake any work that does not require his presence in England and Wales.

Laura Robinson

Laura is an employment specialist who represents large corporations, SME’s, public and government bodies, local authorities and private individuals. She also regularly represents in professional discipline cases. Laura has a strong reputation, and a wealth of experience, in dealing with all areas of employment law, but has particular expertise in discrimination, whistleblowing, unfair dismissal, TUPE and breach of contract. She is a member of the Attorney General’s A Panel of Counsel. Laura has recently been involved in a number of complex, challenging and legally difficult cases. She has a particular ability to reduce complex legal arguments and factual matrices to their simplest form in order to present them in the best way possible. She is also well known for her calm demeanour, unflappable attitude and ability to handle difficult opponents and witnesses.

Lois Aldred

Lois acts for both claimants and defendants and has experience of all aspects of personal injury work. Her court practice includes regular appearances in fast-track trials, pre-action disclosure and other applications, along with case management hearings in both fast and multi-track claims. Lois is also instructed in criminal injuries compensation matters and in inquests. Employment: Lois regularly appears in the Employment Tribunal. She also has experience of advising both claimants and respondents in employment matters, particularly in relation to unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal and discrimination claims. Common law: Lois’ practice includes general contractual and commercial disputes, credit hire and costs matters. Lois undertakes work on a CFA basis and is willing to consider pro bono work where appropriate.

Louise Thomson

Louise is an experienced practitioner in personal injury and related areas including road traffic accidents where fraud is alleged and credit hire.  As a result of mobility restrictions caused by multiple sclerosis Louise’s practice is predominantly Chambers based. This has enabled her to develop a niche practice which includes telephone hearings and conferences in person, by skype or telephone. Her excellent interpersonal skills have resulted in solicitors and insurers regularly instructing her appreciating that her experience is both useful to them and to the Court when dealing with claims of varying value.  She is known for her ability to achieve results, her thoroughness and attention to detail.  She turns papers round quickly and works to a tight deadline.

Marcus Dignum

Marcus is a specialist Defendant Catastrophic Personal Injury Silk, who acts for most of the large insurers in the UK defending claims predominantly in the context of RTA and EL/PL work. He also defends clinical negligence claims. He took Silk in 2020, having been recognised as a Tier 1 Junior in Chambers & Partners and a Leading Junior in The Legal 500 for many years. He is lauded for his “robust, realistic and very personal service.” He combines “intellectual rigour, a commercial approach and great charm” to good effect on high-value catastrophic injury cases. For many years he has dealt with claims of the highest value and has extensive experience of claims involving the most serious head and spinal injuries where awards are made or settlements reached of several million pounds. He has particular expertise in cases involving paralysis, amputation and brain injury, including subtle brain injury. He is much sought after as a trial advocate and was recently instructed to defend one of the largest personal injury claims ever made (£33m) over the course of a 10 day trial in the High Court.

Mary Newnham

Mary practises predominantly in personal injury and clinical negligence. She acts for both claimants and defendants in a wide range of multi-track cases.  Mary is regularly instructed in cases involving fatal accidents, brain injuries and serious and multiple injuries. She is also very familiar with cases where there is an interplay between physical and psychological injuries or a diagnosis of functional or somatoform disorders.  She is comfortable with cases involving multiple experts, causation problems and complex calculations of loss, whether they conclude at trial or at JSM. Mary has substantial experience in road traffic litigation, including cases involving allegations of fraud and coverage/ indemnity issues. She also specialises in employers’ liability claims and public liability cases, often involving multiple defendants. Mary’s clinical negligence practice includes cases where consideration is given to bringing additional claims for negligent medical treatment following an accident as well as free-standing claims against medical professionals for late diagnosis, negligent treatment or lack of informed consent. Mary is regularly instructed to appear in the Coroner’s Court and has experience of substantial inquests involving juries, potential unlawful killing verdicts, deaths in the care of the state and cases where there is potential for a Preventing Future Deaths report. Mary provides lectures and seminars to solicitors and insurers and can do so in-house. Mary is currently living in Manchester and is happy to cover hearings in the North-West area.

Megan Griffiths

Megan practices in a number of chambers’ specialisms including general personal injury, abuse, industrial disease (principally asbestos-related) and clinical negligence. Megan has a busy paper practice. Recent subjects include advising on all aspects of claims for psychiatric injury arising from historic sexual abuse, the quantum of amateur sporting injuries, the merits of claims for delayed and negligent clinical treatment and of claims arising from asbestos exposure. She has recently expanded her practice to include failure-to-remove and similar claims against local authorities at common law and under the Human Rights Act 1998. Megan was recently instructed as Second Junior in international group litigation for alleged breaches of human rights in the workplace by way of sexual abuse, harassment and gender-based discrimination. She has also separately been instructed to advise on disclosure issues in a complex multi-million pound claim involving a traumatic brain injury and amputation. In 2021 Megan completed a six-month secondment with Royds Withy King’s industrial disease (asbestos) team. She worked independently and in collaboration with partners and solicitors on a number of fatal and living mesothelioma claims. Her work included speaking to claimants and their families to sensitively draft statements on both liability and quantum and drafting complex schedules of loss. Megan is happy to consider instructions on a CFA basis where appropriate. Megan is regularly instructed to represent claimants and defendants in court and does so both remotely and in person. She has been praised by her instructing solicitors for her communicative and thorough approach to case preparation. Megan is a member of the Government’s Junior Juniors Scheme and of the Metropolitan Police Panel of Counsel. She regularly contributes to chambers’ various blogs and her articles have been republished in AvMA’s newsletters and on LexisPSL. Before joining chambers Megan worked as a paralegal at two London law firms in domestic abuse and clinical negligence departments. She therefore appreciates the importance of working closely with solicitors to achieve the best results for clients.

Michael Brace

Michael specialises in personal injury and clinical negligence with a  particular emphasis on industrial disease claims in respect of which he has for many years been recognised as a leading junior in both the “Legal 500” and  “Chambers UK – A Client’s Guide to the Legal Profession”. Michael’s practice is UK -wide and encompasses high-value claims with a significant proportion involving fatal claims and those in respect of catastrophic injury.

Michael Rawlinson

Michael’s principal areas of practice are claims in which exposure to noxious substances are alleged to have led to long-term adverse health effects. He is instructed by victims, exposers and their insurers. Since such claims often involve the development of cancer many years after exposure, much of his instruction requires the marshaling and presentation of very large quantities of historical documents evidencing or negativing either the fact of exposure or the guilty knowledge relating to it. He works extensively with lawyers from other common law jurisdictions. Under this general description fall specific areas of litigation: occupational exposure to asbestos/other carcinogens and exposure to manufactured products made available to the public. In addition he accepts a significant number of instructions each year on behalf of service personnel (or their survivors) where injury arises from service life. He is often instructed to appear at the initial fact-finding Inquest and thereafter within subsequent civil litigation. He is regularly instructed in respect of air crashes (fixed and rotary wing) and other aspects of aviation health and safety. More generally, Michael is instructed by insurers where a wider strategic interest arises out of specific litigation. He considers to be a core part of his work to regularly give talks seeking to signpost where the law of causation appears to be heading. He accepts instructions from ‘both sides’ in catastrophic head and spinal injury. Notwithstanding the advent of 0% CFA/QOCS claims he is not risk averse where legally interesting or otherwise significant issues arise. Recent work has required him to provide advocacy arising from such diverse topics as the nature of the UK’s level of control over Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus, the system of International aviation regulation operating within the UK, the alleged effect of environmental exposure to organophosphates and the historical behaviour of manufacturers of asbestos products within the UK market. When instructed to lead a team, he always tries to foster a collegiate approach to the litigation because he firmly believes that helps the entire team to provide maximum value to the client.

Niall Maclean

Niall is recognised as a leading junior in the current edition of Chambers & Partners where he is described as “a highly regarded personal injury junior” with “experience handling catastrophic and fatal injury claims on behalf of both defendants and claimants”, and in the current edition of the Legal 500 which notes that he has “a real eye for detail”. He is also ranked as a leading junior in Industrial Disease in the current editions of both directories. Niall specialises in high value and complex personal injury, industrial disease and clinical negligence work, acting for claimants and defendants. He generally acts in cases valued in excess of £1 million, usually unled, and frequently against silks. He has a large and loyal client base, and receives instructions from leading solicitors, major insurers, the MIB, central government and local authorities. His practice focuses on: catastrophic injuries and fatalities; serious spinal damage, including tetraplegia; brain injuries, including those characterised as subtle in nature; functional neurological disorders; all forms of pain syndromes, including chronic pain, complex regional pain syndrome, fibromyalgia and somatoform disorders (SSD); complex orthopaedic cases, including all forms of amputation; serious psychiatric conditions; and intentional torts including historic abuse. Niall has an excellent track record at trials, joint settlement meetings and mediations. He also has considerable appellate experience. He appeared in the Supreme Court (led) for the successful appellant in Knauer v Ministry of Justice [2016] UKSC 9, an important case on the quantification of future losses in fatal claims. He appeared in the Court of Appeal (unled) for the successful respondent in Scott v Gavigan [2016] All ER (D) 35 (Jun), a case concerning issues of foreseeability and legal causation in road traffic accidents. Niall was one of the Attorney General’s Junior Counsel to the Crown from 2015 to 2020. Niall usually acts unled, but he is also comfortable acting as part of a litigation team and is frequently led by prominent silks. While adopting a thorough and rigorous approach to cases, Niall prides himself on being practical and approachable.

Nigel Lewers

Nigel is widely recognised as a Leading Junior, recently rated as a “Star Individual”. He specialises in high value claims in personal injury, clinical negligence, motor insurance, and professional negligence arising out of personal injury cases. He has extensive experience of chronic pain conditions, amputation and prosthetics, catastrophic brain injury, paralysis caused by spinal injury, fundamental dishonesty and equine accidents.   Nigel is regularly instructed in cases of severe brain injuries, amputation and state-of-the-art prosthetics, and conditions of chronic pain. He is frequently instructed on complex issues of causation.   Nigel was the General Editor of Kemp & Kemp, Personal Injury Law, Practice and Procedure and remains a contributing author. He is a qualified mediator.

Nina Ross

Nina is ranked as a leading junior in personal injury in the current editions of Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners, which note that Nina is “crystal-clear in her thinking and analysis” (Legal 500) and has “a commanding presence when on her feet” (Chambers and Partners). Nina specialises in claims arising out of sexual and physical assaults; military claims; international and group litigation; and human rights aspects of personal injury law. She has been instructed in high-profile litigation in these fields, including in: X v Kuoni [2021] UKSC 34 (led by William Audland QC): a claim brought under the 1992 Package Travel Regulations for sexual assaults committed by a hotel employee in Sri Lanka, which was referred by the Supreme Court to the CJEU for a preliminary ruling on a point of European law. Alseran & Others v Ministry of Defence [2017] EWHC 3289 (QB) [2018] 3 W.L.R. 95 (led by Richard Hermer QC and Harry Steinberg QC): claims against the MoD brought by Iraqi civilians who allege that they were assaulted and unlawfully detained by UK military personnel during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Given her areas of specialism, Nina has particular experience of claims for psychiatric injury and the complex issues of causation that arise. She is an authority on limitation periods and is co-author of Personal Injury Limitation Law, Bloomsbury (2020) which has received excellent reviews: https://www.bloomsburyprofessional.com/uk/personal-injury-limitation-law-9781526508607/ Nina was appointed to the Bar Council’s Leadership Programme in 2020. She is head of 12KBW’s abuse and military claims teams. Before coming to the Bar, Nina worked on torture and abuse cases in the international and group claims department of Leigh Day & Co Solicitors; at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in the Netherlands; as well as at JUSTICE; Liberty; and the Legal Resources Centre in Durban, South Africa.  

Oliver Rudd

Oliver has a wide-ranging practice with extensive experience in dealing with a range of cases from chronic pain and industrial disease litigation, to cases involving alleged defective products, professional negligence and exaggerated and fraudulent claims. Oliver regularly acts for leading national and international insurers and is frequently instructed in advisory as well as costs matters. Oliver acts for both claimants and defendants and has experience in representing a number of local authorities and Health Care Trusts. He has frequently been instructed in cases valued at over £1m. Oliver’s areas of expertise include the following: – Complex orthopaedic and psychiatric injuries; Brain Injuries; Fraud and exaggerated claims [including use of surveillance evidence]; Fatal Accidents; Pain disorders including “CPRS” Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, somatoform disorders, chronic pain and fibromyalgia; Injuries and damage arising from alleged defective products; Industrial disease; International injury cases; Costs

Pankaj Madan

Pankaj specialises in Catastrophic and Life-Changing Injury with specialist expertise in traumatic brain injury and severe Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and Functional Neurological disorder claims. He attracts a loyal and ever-increasing following from both Defendant insurers and Claimants. He acts usually only in high value cases often involving pedestrians, cyclists or motorcyclists. He is adept at liability issues. He is the author of two books,  one on Chronic Pain and another on Subtle Brain Injury claims. He has an excellent understanding of medical issues and sits on the Royal Society of Medicine, Pain Section Council. He is from a medical family and has an excellent understanding of medical issues. He is renowned for his meticulous eye for detail and sensitive, sympathetic client approach, The Legal 500 in 2022 said that :- “Pankaj Madan is regularly sought after by claimant and defendant firms for his expertise in catastrophic brain injuries, and has notable strength in cases involving subtle brain injuries” In fact, he has been commended every year by the Legal 500 since 2008. Pankaj is routinely instructed nationally by leading firms and he frequently confers with insurers, medical experts in chambers or severely injured claimants often in hospitals or rehabilitation facilities or their own home. Travel anywhere in the country is not an issue. However he was one of the first to adopt paperless working and video conferencing many years before the pandemic. He is instructed and respected by leading Defence firms, and sought after by the insurers often at the first intimation of a claim. He adopts a team approach with the insurer and Solicitor. He is a Deputy District Judge brings his Judicial experience to every claim particularly  in costs management of high value cases for both Claimants and Defendants. He is experienced in claims of the utmost severity exceeding £10 million. He often appears against Leading Counsel on his own.

Patrick Kerr

Patrick is consistently ranked as a Leading Junior, Tier 1 in the Legal 500 and a Leading Junior, Band 1 in Chambers & Partners. The current editions describe him as “warm and approachable, and his attention to detail is first class. His advocacy is eloquent, innovative and charismatic” and “an outstanding barrister who is undoubtedly destined for the top”. Recent editions say he is “a superb advocate who is highly intelligent” and “definitely the counsel you want on your side”. Patrick has particular expertise in mesothelioma claims, clinical negligence and sporting injuries.  Most of his claims involve catastrophic injuries.  He also has extensive experience in defending fraudulent claims. He is a member of the Northern Irish Bar and has provided expert evidence on English and Welsh law for other jurisdictions. Patrick also runs a charity which funds Research Fellowships at the Royal Marsden Hospital (lecure.org).

Patrick Vincent

Patrick is a specialist in Insurance, Personal Injury and International/Travel law. He acts for Claimants and Defendants in complex catastrophic personal injury claims, insurance and policy construction disputes and cross jurisdictional litigation. Examples of recent work include Appearances in the Supreme Court in Cameron v Liverpool Victoria Insurance Co Ltd [2019] UKSC 6 and R & S Pilling v(T/A Phoenix Engineering} v UK Insurance Ltd [2019] UKSC 16. Acting for the dependents of a victim of a fatal aircraft accident in Switzerland. Acting for the Defendant insurer in Greenaway & Rocks v Covea in which the court considered for the first time how the English courts were to tackle issues which, pre-Brexit, would have been referred to the CJEU for a preliminary ruling. Advising and acting more than 20 catastrophic brain injury claims worth in excess of £5m within the last year. Appearing in the important motor policy construction case of Daudher v Hoisani, EUI Ltd & Advantage Insurance Co Ltd [2020] WLUK 549. Advising on Covid Business Interruption claims. Instructed in complex personal injury claims occurring in Hungary, Romania, Bermuda, Bulgaria, France, Spain and Poland. Patrick has a particular interest in aviation/maritime claims and holds a private pilot’s licence.

Paul Russell

Paul has a strong reputation in the specialist fields of personal injury, clinical negligence and professional negligence (arising out of the conduct of personal injury and clinical negligence claims), being regularly instructed in high value liability and/or quantum cases for both Claimants and Defendants. On the quantum side, Paul’s expertise includes catastrophic injury (birth related, brain injury, spinal injury, multiple injuries), amputation cases, chronic pain (including complex regional pain syndrome and fibromyalgia), psychiatric injury, stress at work, RSI, and fatal accidents. For some examples of cases in which he has been instructed, see Cases section.

Philip Mead

Philip is a member of the International and Travel Group of 12KBW with an established practice in the field of cross-border personal injury and employment law. He has been named as a Band1 or Star Individual in Chambers & Partners for several years in respect of International and Travel Claims and has appeared in the leading cases on jurisdiction and conflict of laws. Philip has particular expertise in the field of European law, in respect of the application of the Judgments Regulation, the Rome II Regulation and the Motor Insurance Directives. Philip’s personal injury practice involves claims of the utmost severity and includes the following areas: road traffic accident claims, direct actions against foreign insurers and compensation bodies, employer’s liability claims, product liability claims, fatal accident claims, package holiday claims and maritime and aviation claims. Philip’s employment practice has involved peripatetic and overseas workers, seafarers, claims against foreign embassies and international organisations, in relation to claims for breach of contract, discrimination and breach of statutory rights. Philip has received instructions directly from foreign lawyers and foreign clients. He is able to act on a direct access basis without the need to instruct an English solicitor.

Rachit Buch

Rachit specialises in personal injury, industrial disease, clinical negligence and international and travel law. His clinical negligence practice includes birth-related claims, surgical negligence and delayed diagnosis in oncology and other disciplines. He acts for claimants and defendants in high value and complex litigation. He has particular expertise in cases with an international element, including jurisdictional challenges, cases involving foreign law and accidents abroad. Rachit has experience in cases involving a public law aspect, including liability of public bodies such as the Ministry of Defence. He was instructed in the Undercover Policing Inquiry, as well as having an established inquest practice. He is instructed in claims involving issues of national security including sensitive military deployments or undercover policing. Having studied Human Genetics for his first degree, Rachit applies his knowledge of scientific and medical issues to the law.

Richard Methuen

Richard is one of the most well-known and well-respected silks at the personal injury bar.  He is vastly experienced, having appeared in such seminal cases as Wells v Wells, Masterman-Lister and Cain v Francis.  He is instructed on behalf of both claimants and defendants and regularly acts for and against most major insurers, and in cases involving the Motor Insurers’ Bureau.  He is a member of the Ogden Committee.  A significant percentage of his current practice is as a mediator. His expertise in the field and his pragmatic and friendly  style appeal to all sides. That coupled with his judicial experience as both a Recorder and an Arbitrator means that he is able to provide significant help and guidance to the parties to resolve the issues between them. 

Roisin Kennedy

Roisin has significant experience in all aspects of personal injury law.  She specialises in high value complex personal injury disputes.  She acts for both claimants and defendants.  She is very thorough and user-friendly and is able to give advice quickly.  Prior to joining 12 King’s Bench Walk in 2012, Roisin gained considerable advocacy experience conducting jury trials in the Crown Court.

Sarah Beslee

Sarah is highly experienced in all aspects of personal injury law, from cases involving complex orthopaedic and psychiatric injuries to cases involving fraud.  She has particular expertise in public authority liability, Animals Act 1971 cases (including equine cases) and credit hire. She regularly acts for Defendants in cases involving fraud / fundamental dishonesty. Sarah has been a visiting academic tutor at King’s College, London.

Simon John

Personal injury: Simon undertakes work for claimant and defendant in a wide range of PI law. Claimant work is largely undertaken for the leading unions, often on a CFA basis. Defendant work predominantly consists of regular instuction from a number of local authorities, as well as for insurers of large commercial employers. He has extensive experience of employer’s liability cases, including WRULDs, HAVs, and more recently deafness. He deals regularly with defendant highways and occupier’s cases, insurance claims and RTA claims involving allegations of fraud/LVI. He provides relevant CPD seminars. Simon also has experience of the coroner’s courts. Employment: Simon has wide-ranging experience in employment law and regularly represents claimants and respondents. He regularly represents local authorities and police authorities, as well as commercial employers and union-backed claimants and private individuals from worker to director level. He is experienced in all of the prohibited grounds of discrimination case, redundancy, wage claims, unfair dismissal and whistle-blowing claims as well as TUPE cases. He provides accredited CPD seminars on these topics. He also acts as a legal panel advisor as well as legal representative at professional disciplinary/appeal hearings. Cases: X v Gwent Police [2011] legitimate expectation abuse of process arguments in rehearing disciplinary charges; X v Torfaen CBC & anor [2011] extent of delegated control between employer and contractor for purposes of duty under the workplace regs; Q fever SCA litigation [2011] multiple claimant PI actions involving obscure disease and complex causation and quantification arguments; Sarah Knight v Cartrefi Cymru [2010] repuditory conduct by employer, final straw doctrine and waiver by delay and conduct; Ellen Waters v Cardiff County Council [2010] duty of care to staff in dealing with violent residents in care, knowledge, risk aassessments; Jacobs v Rhoserchan [2010] whistleblowing, detriment causation, care standards, repuditory breach; Bazley v Gwent Police [2010] final straw, unilateral remedy of repudiatory breach of trust and confidence; Abdemonium v South Wales Police EAT [2009] race discrimination case involving novel comparator arguments and judgment delay issues; Rowan v the Environment Agency [2008] EAT IRLR 20 appeal case on constructive dismissal, DDA reasonable adjustments and providing guidance on requisite findings for the tribunal; Cornwall Gardens v RO Garrard & others (CA) LTL 19/19/01: Times Junes 19 2001 million-pound dispute as to rights of way and the economic tort of interference with business rights.

Spencer Turner

Spencer’s practice encompasses the full range of Chambers’ key specialisms, with a particular emphasis on international and travel, industrial disease, personal injury, sport, fraud and clinical negligence claims. Spencer has developed extensive trial experience and his practice combines advisory work, drafting and advocacy in both the High Court and the County Courts. He appears at CCMCs, interlocutory hearings, multi and fast track trials on an almost daily basis. Spencer acts in high value personal injury litigation, both as sole counsel and junior counsel to silks. His practice includes acting unled in several fatal accident cases. He has particular experience in a range of claims brought under the Package Travel Regulations, the Montreal and Athens conventions and his international and travel work often involves complex questions of jurisdiction and foreign law. In the context of industrial disease litigation, Spencer has experience of acting for claimants in claims arising from exposure to asbestos as both sole and junior counsel. Spencer’s sports law practice encompasses personal injury claims suffered during sporting activities, anti-doping and athlete selection disputes. He is a contributor to several publications in his specialist areas. Prior to joining Chambers Spencer worked in the personal injury department of an international law firm. He read law at the University of Bristol and was an Exhibition and Benefactors Scholar of the Inner Temple. During his pupillage he received the Jarman Award for Advocacy and he has recently been awarded an outgoing Pegasus Scholarship to the USA. He is also a member of the Bar Council’s Young Barristers’ Committee. Spencer is committed to widening access to the Bar; he is part of the outreach team within Chambers and is regularly invited to speak on panels on the topic of social mobility.

Stephanie Jackson

Stephanie has a well established civil practice specializing in personal injury, credit hire, property damage, construction disputes, professional negligence and insurance. She has a particular interest in cases relating to tree root damage. Stephanie is instructed by leading firms for both Claimants and Defendants.  She is also instructed directly by insurers and will consider acting on a conditional fee arrangement basis. In addition to drafting and advisory work she has considerable experience of appearing as an advocate in court. She also regularly attends mediations and round table meetings.

Stephen Worthington

Stephen’s main areas of expertise: personal injury, in which he is predominantly involved in complex and substantial cases including: catastrophic injury cases – brain and spinal injury, quadriplegia and paraplegia; serious psychiatric injury: cases involving complex care and accommodation claims – Sowden issues. Motor insurance litigation: Stephen advises the Motor Insurance Bureau and was involved in the drafting of the 1988 Uninsured Drivers Agreement. He continues to undertake a significant amount of catastrophic injury work for the Motor Insurance Bureau. He is also an expert in road traffic insurance. Environmental: Stephen had been involved in a number of cases concerning pollution, nuclear and environmental issues including a case involving plutonium and the measure of damages under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965.  Stephen has taught advocacy and regularly lectures on topics such as care claims, and motor insurance and non-insurance, both internally and externally. Insurers who instruct him include the Direct Line group (Direct Line, Churchill, NIG etc), Aegeas, Zurich, Axa, Covea and MIB. Cases include: Churchill Insurance v Wilkinson [2010] EWCA Civ 556, motor insurance, Section 151 (8) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the second directive; Carswell v Secretary of State for Transport & MIB, MIB Untraced Drivers Agreement and compatibility with second directive; Welsh Water v Carmarthenshire County Council, October 2004 (Jackson J) s29 of the Limitation Act 1980; Hall v Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust (2004) EWCA 2748, duties of local authorities in relation to children in care; Watson v British Boxing Board of Control [2001] QB 1134, duty of care in tort; Heil v Rankin [2000] 2 WLR 1173, level of general damages in personal injury actions; Martin v Lancashire CC [2000] 3 All ER 544, transfer of tortuous liability by virtue of the TUPE regulations; Blue Circle Industries plc v Ministry of Defence [1999] Ch 289 (CA), measure of damages under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965 s7(1)(a); Graham v Re Chem International Ltd [1994] Env LR 158, dealing with complex environmental issues – the alleged pollution of a farm by PCB’s and dioxins. The trial lasted 15 months. He has been a Recorder since 2002 and he is a Bencher of Gray’s Inn.

Steven Snowden

Steven has an outstanding KC practice.  He is an experienced trial advocate and regularly deals with substantial and complex cases in court and in settlement meetings.  His current caseload includes the liability and quantum aspects of head injuries, paraplegic and other serious spinal injury cases, amputations, psychiatric injuries, chronic pain cases and fatal claims. In disease work he deals with mesothelioma and other asbestos claims, and other occupational illness claims involving difficult issues of liability, causation or quantum. He maintains a claimant / defendant balance in his work, being instructed on behalf of all the major insurance companies but also by most major claimant solicitor firms.  Clients praise his commercial awareness, ability to cut through to key points in a case, and (on the claimant side) his outstanding client care and interpersonal skills. Drawing on his background in personal injury work, his ability to deal with technical expert evidence and his experience of historic disease work, he is currently instructed as sole leading counsel for the largest group of the infected and affected individuals and families (1,400+ core participants) in the Infected Blood Public Inquiry He is the elected Chair (2020-2022) of the Personal Injuries Bar Association, a member of the Bar Council’s management committee and has for many years been one of the authors of the Judicial College Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases. His regular work is in the High Court and he has experience of the Court of Appeal and the House of Lords.  Recent reported cases include Witham v Steve Hill Ltd (quantification of dependency under the Fatal Accidents Act), Kyriacou v Finch ( primary liability and contributory negligence in a catastrophic RTA case) and Flanagan v Battie (interim payments). Previous reported cases include Kotula v EDF, Dixie v British Polythene and Gray v Thames Trains.

Ted Cunningham

Ted accepts instructions across all of 12KBW’s core areas. He has particular experience in claims involving personal injury, fundamental dishonesty, clinical negligence, fatal accidents, sports injuries, inquests, employers’ liability and costs. In addition to a busy Court diary of Fast and Multi Track trials and interlocutory matters, Ted’s paperwork practice includes advising and pleading in high value claims for both Claimants and Defendants. Away from Chambers, Ted has several articles published in national newspapers, presented his own radio shows and volunteered both abroad and in the UK with human rights and legal charities. Ted’s main interests outside law are cooking (and eating), playing football, skiing, and travelling.

Thea Wilson

Thea specialises in Clinical Negligence, complex Personal Injury claims, and Inquests. Thea has a wealth of experience in handling cases involving delayed diagnosis, birth and pregnancy-related injuries, spinal injuries, brain damage, psychiatric injury, chronic pain and fatal accidents. Thea is particularly adept at handling complex quantum calculations. Thea’s expert knowledge of the CPR stands her in good stead in acting for and advising solicitors on procedural matters in relation to applications and appeals, and in respect of costs. She is sought after in cases with a potential fraud element and has a wide range of experience dealing with insurance coverage issues. Thea regularly acts for interested parties at inquests, in particular in claims involving clinical negligence, road traffic accidents, and deaths in custody. Thea is regularly instructed by trade union organisations, local authorities, insurers, the NHS, and the MIB. With an eye for detail and a sympathetic manner, Thea is experienced in dealing with vulnerable claimants. Thea has represented victims of sexual and physical abuse both in civil claims and before the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Tribunal. Thea is happy to accept cases on a CFA basis and is willing to consider Pro Bono instruction where appropriate.

Thomas Banks

Tom is ranked as a Personal Injury Leading Junior in Legal 500. He specialises in catastrophic, complex and high value Personal Injury claims, Insurance Law, Inquests, Military claims, Fraud and Costs. His specialist personal injury practice focuses on Brain and Spinal Injuries, Fatal Accidents, Motor Insurance and Indemnity Law,  International and Travel Law, Public and Employers Liability and Industrial Disease As former Tank Commander and Intelligence Officer in the British Army, he is also recognised as an established specialist Counsel in Armed Forces Claims. Tom has also been instructed in High Court Defamation proceedings.

Tim Goodwin

Tim’s practice is focused on all types and elements of employment disputes, together with a broad range of personal injury matters, with a particular focus on areas of PI that overlap with his employment practice. Having practised as a solicitor for seven years before transferring to the Bar, Tim brings to his work experience and expertise well beyond his year of call. Tim has considerable advocacy experience, and appears in tribunals and county courts on a near-daily basis. He has also appeared in High Court and Employment Appeal Tribunal cases, often unled. Tim combines his court work with advisory and drafting work, and can be depended on to deliver results consistently and quickly. Tim also has experience in alternative dispute resolution, including formal, informal and judicial mediations, settlement negotiations and arbitration. Prior to joining Chambers, Tim was a Senior Associate in a Tier 1 rated City employment practice, where he was responsible for and gained considerable experience of running cases at all levels and across the broad spectrum of employment disputes. Tim accepts instructions on a direct / public access basis in respect of employment matters. He also undertakes pro bono work in some cases.

Tom Pacey

Thomas appears regularly in fast and multi-track matters, has experience of acting in substantial High Court litigation as junior counsel and has appeared in the High Court in his own right on interlocutory matters. He has an extensive paperwork practice and is happy to advise on a CFA. Particular expertise includes road traffic accidents, employers’ liability of all kinds, sports injuries and cases in which medical causation is disputed. Frequent involvement with road traffic cases has enabled Thomas to develop a specialist credit hire practice. He acts mainly for defendants and has wide experience of drafting statements of case, with particular knowledge of those involving the cancellation of contracts made in a consumer’s home or place of work etc. Regulations 2008. Trial work is frequent and has been conducted on all tracks; Thomas has appeared in claims with values in excess of £50,000. He is available to provide in-house training and updates on the law to those instructing. Thomas has wide experience of defending claims involving dishonesty. These include low-velocity impacts, staged accidents and deliberately induced accidents (especially ‘slam-on’ cases). Thomas is available to attend fraud conferences out of chambers at the convenience of the client. He deals with all paperwork aspects and is able to draft specialist pleadings at short notice. He has particular experience of cases featuring surveillance evidence. Thomas has a burgeoning employment practice and has a particular interest in discrimination and unfair dismissal cases. He has experience of conducting multi-day tribunal matters. Interesting cases: Harvey v Plymouth City Council, High Court, October 2009 – junior counsel in this novel case relating to occupiers’ liability.

Tom Vonberg

Tom has significant advocacy experience. He is comfortable advising in and presenting the most challenging cases at court and he has worked alongside some of the country’s leading lawyers in his areas of practice. Tom is identified as a leading barrister in Legal 500. The 2024 edition described him as "liked by clients and highly regarded for his technical skill and reliable advice. His eye for detail really stands out, and he is very robust in court.

Vanessa Cashman

Vanessa specialises in clinical negligence. She acts predominantly for claimants and her practice encompasses a huge range of medical specialties. She has particular expertise in birth and obstetric injuries, spinal injury and brain injury. Vanessa is ranked for clinical negligence in both the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners. She is known for her warmth and sensitivity and her extensive medical knowledge. She also has considerable experience in personal injury, inquests and costs.

William Featherby

The bulk of William’s work is heavy personal injuries and clinical negligence litigation, particularly trial work. He is a leading silk in his field and is well known in the personal injuries world. He has been noted as an outstanding cross-examiner in the legal press.  He is featured in the Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence sections of all the leading professional directories. William also specialises in legal, medical and professional ethics. William’s practice is London-based but he travels frequently to Manchester, Leeds and other centres.  He conducts conferences all over the country. William frequently gives talks and seminars to solicitors, insurers and other organisations.  He is an expert in civil procedure (Member of the Rules Committee).

William Audland

William is ranked as a leading silk in all the major directories in all his principal areas of practice – international, travel and aviation, personal injury and clinical negligence – and specialises in cross-border claims which combine these areas of expertise. He represents both claimants and defendants, and has a growing practice as a mediator.