Aaron Rathmell
Administrative and public law; medical law and inquests; civil police law for claimants and defendants; employment law for private and public sector clients, in particular discrimination and equality law.
Serjeants' Inn Chambers
serjeantsinn.comserjeantsinn.comBarristers
Adrian Hopkins KC
Adrian Hopkins QC was called to the Bar in 1984 and took silk in 2003. Adrian has over 30 years experience in medical law, ranging from clinical negligence, inquests, professional discipline and regulation, to medical ethics and healthcare. He is instructed in complex and difficult cases. He has been described as “at the top of his field” and “quite simply one of the best silks in the country.” Please visit the Serjeants' Inn website for his profile, which sets out full details of his practice including relevant work of note.
Alan Jenkins
Specialises in the fields of professional discipline, health and safety, and crime. Specific interest in gross negligence, manslaughter and other offences arising out of medical and dental practice. Inquests. Considerable experience in professional disciplinary work (doctors, solicitors, accountants, police). Criminal fraud, particularly in relation to solicitors’ practice.
Amardeep Dhillon
Amy Street
Barrister specialising in public and administrative law; constitutional law; Court of Protection; human rights. Research director of the Constitution Society.
Andrew Hockton
Andrew specialises in the fields of regulatory and medical law. He has a high profile medical practice with over 22 reported decisions in the field. He has acted for some of the country’s leading medical practitioners and has been cited in directories as a leader in his fields of practice for many years. His practice encompasses civil litigation (for Claimants and Defendants), disciplinary proceedings, inquests, inquiries and medical crime. He has a particular interest in treatment cases with an ethical dimension and is frequently instructed by the Official Solicitor, Trusts and patients or their families in cases involving life and death decisions. He is the author of the Law of Consent to Medical Treatment Sweet & Maxwell 2002 and the chapter on consent in Clinical Negligence 4th ed Powers & Harris.
Andrew Perfect
Angus Moon KC
Angus Moon QC was called to the Bar in 1986 and took silk in 2006. Angus is sought after across a wide range of fields. His knowledge of the law and intellectual curiosity have enabled him to achieve some spectacular outcomes for clients from all walks of life. He combines this with warmth, sensitivity and leadership skills and has been described in an earlier edition as “just the kind of guy you want on your side.” Please visit the Serjeants' Inn website for his profile, which sets out full details of his practice including relevant work of note.
Anna Tkaczynska
Anthony Haycroft
Extensive experience in trials involving civil and criminal jurisdictions, as well as a busy advisory practice in all areas. Mainly practices in the regulatory field, defending doctors, dentists and pharmacists in disciplinary work at the General Medical Council; General Dentist Council and General Pharmaceutical Council respectively, police misconduct cases and appears for hospitals and doctors at inquests as well as at internal disciplinary hearings. Substantial criminal experience of over 30 years (including as a Grade 4 prosecutor taking leading briefs in murder, fraud and sexual offences cases) used in defending healthcare professionals against criminal charges. Clinical negligence and personal injury practice covers both claimant and defendant work. Leading cases include: Monibi v GMC (2014) – dishonesty in regulatory cases; Re Shaw (2014) – Inquest bias; R v Bell [2010] EWCA Crim CA – double jeopardy, Chaaban v R (2003) C.L.R 658 CA – precursor to case management. Also experience of representing directors in directors disqualification proceedings.
Anthony Searle
Benjamin Harrison
Bridget Dolan KC
Having been a forensic and academic psychologist for 13 years before her call to the Bar in 1997, it is unsurprising that Bridget’s practice has a strong focus on matters involving psychological issues. She specialises in all aspects of law in relation to mental health (whether representing professionals or service users and their families) and so is regularly found representing parties in the Court of Protection, the Admin Court and in Mental Health Tribunals. She is often instructed by the Official Solicitor in serious medical treatment cases, involving particularly difficult end of life decision-making. The other core aspect of Bridget’s practice is coronial law. She represents families, public bodies and other interested persons at inquests as well as acting in public law challenges to Coroner’s decisions in the High Court. Bridget draws upon her wide experience from both sides of the bench, as she sits as Assistant Deputy Coroner in West Sussex. Alongside acting for IPs in high media profile ‘Article 2’ cases, Coroners often instruct Bridget as counsel to the inquest, most recently the In Amenas Inquests into the killings of Britons in Algeria by terrorists linked to Al-Qaeda (2014-15) and currently in the fresh inquest into the death at Deepcut Barracks of Pvt Cheryl James (2015-16).
Briony Ballard
Briony’s practice is fairly evenly split between medially related and police work. Within these two broad areas Briony’s experience covers the full spectrum of civil claims, disciplinary cases, judicial review and inquests.
Caroline Hallissey
Caroline Hallissey is an experienced clinical negligence practitioner; rated in particular for her client care skills and confidence with complex medical issues. She has a particular expertise in birth brain injury, spinal injury, plastic surgery and large value hospital acquired infection cases.
Christopher Hough
Chris is a clinical negligence specialist. He loves to meet clients and, with the help of client, experts and solicitors, develop a strategy as to how to win the case and maximise the damages recovered. With this motivation, he only acts for Claimants. Chris has vast experience of all types of claims: cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury in children and adults, spinal cord injury, brachial plexus injury, blindness, amputations and Fatal Accident Act cases.
Christopher Johnston KC
Christopher Johnston QC was called to the Bar in 1990 and took silk in 2011. Chris is a top flight medical silk. He heads Chambers’ award-winning clinical negligence team. A recognised leader in the field of product liability, he is a team player with extensive experience of large class actions. He edits a seminal medical ethics book. An earlier edition notes that he is “a very, very clever man. Exceptionally bright and capable. A super brain and a nice man too.” Please visit the Serjeants' Inn website for his profile, which sets out full details of his practice including relevant work of note.
Claire Watson KC
Claire specialises in both medical and police work, including clinical negligence claims, civil actions against the police, disciplinary cases and inquests. In the clinical negligence and healthcare field, Claire has extensive experience of all areas of medicine and dentistry and acts for both claimants and defendants. She also frequently appears on behalf of healthcare professionals in all types of disciplinary proceedings and is regularly instructed in best interests and welfare cases in the High Court and Court of Protection. In the field of police law, Claire has extensive experience of civil actions, inquests and misconduct and performance proceedings. She also undertakes a wide range of advisory work and has a particular interest in advising the police on operational and policy matters. Notable cases include: Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis v Hooper [2005] EWHC 340 (Admin) – the court’s power to adjourn an application for a closure order under s2(6) of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 not be used so as to extend the adjournment period beyond 14 days after the application had been made; Hemsley v (1) The Information Commissioner (2) The Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police (March 2006) – appeal to the Information Tribunal against the refusal by the police to disclose sensitive information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000; A Borough Council v (1) A, (2) B, (3) C, D & E (Children by their Guardian) & Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police [2006] EWHC 1465 (Fam) – guidance on the disclosure of information and documents obtained in family proceedings and the use of the same by the police for child protection purposes; GMC v Dr Reid (2006-07) – (Led by Adrian Hopkins QC) GMC professional misconduct case against consultant psychiatrist specialising in gender identity disorder; Inquest into the death of Paul Coker (February 2010) – article 2 inquest into the death of a man in police custody; A Local Authority v (1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D [2011] EWHC 231 (Fam) – paediatrician granted intervener status in care proceedings; GDC v Brancato (October 2011) – dentist charged with misconduct arising from over 60 allegations of sub-standard dental treatment and poor communication.
Clare Hennessy
Clare is in demand for her combination of effective court room advocacy and approachability. She began her career as a criminal barrister and draws on her considerable advocacy experience in her work in clinical negligence, inquest, police and professional discipline cases: an instructing solicitor notes that Clare is “always hard working, responsive, calm under pressure – her advocacy skills are second to none.”
Conrad Hallin
Barrister specialising in: clinical negligence – with experience of cases involving: cerebral palsy; various forms of cancer (including breast, lung, bowel, and brain tumours); a variety of eye conditions (including macular degeneration, retinal detachment and glaucoma); orthopaedic cases, including those involving deep hip and knee infections, spinal fusion surgery; vascular conditions; DVT; diabetes; cosmetic surgery for both sexes, amongst many others. Also has extensive experience of fatal accidents cases in a clinical context, including cases involving dehydration, DVT, septicaemia and suicide following inappropriate discharge from psychiatric care. Court of Protection (and inherent jurisdiction) – representing the Official Solicitor, NHS Trusts and Local Authorities in medical treatment and welfare cases. His experience includes urgent applications for life saving medical treatment, non-urgent medical treatment, ‘end of life’ withdrawal of medical treatment, treatment of suicidal patients (including emergency treatment following overdose) and advanced directives, deprivation of liberty, capacity to engage in sexual relations, urgent removal to a place of safety and the appointment of welfare and health deputies. Conrad also has experience of cases involving allegations of serious sexual assault against adults lacking capacity by family members. Police law – with trial experience of civil actions and a variety of other applications. His particular expertise lends itself to advising on difficult areas of law and judicial review. He has in-depth knowledge of legal advice and litigation privilege and can also advise on data protection and information issues. Conrad also represents police forces in contentious coronial inquests, including those concerned with deaths in custody. Employment law – with particular expertise in advising on difficult areas of law, including data protection and property rights of employer/employee. He has general experience of claims involving unfair dismissal, whistleblowing, race and sex discrimination, restrictive covenants, and High Court injunctions. Conrad also represents consultants in internal Trust disciplinary hearings and GPs in hearings in which their place on the Performers’ List is under threat. Disciplinary – representing doctors and other healthcare professionals in the GMC and other regulatory bodies. He represents consultants and other doctors in internal Trust appeals and PCT hearings, including those involving allegations of sexual misconduct. Insurance fraud – representing insurers in civil cases involving potential fraudulent claims.
David Lawson
David specialises in education law, public law and all areas of local government services.
He has been a leading practitioner in education law for some years. David is regularly involved in judicial reviews concerning schools, universities and local authorities. His practice involves many cases concerning special educational needs including Education, Health and Care Plans.
He is also a recognised practitioner in local government public law. He has particular experience of social and health care for vulnerable people in need of a high level of public services.
David Morris
Has for many years specialised in disciplinary and regulatory cases, appearing before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service, General Dental Council, General Optical Council, NHS England disciplinary hearings and, on disciplinary appeals, the Administrative Court and the First Tier Tribunal. Also represents NHS Trusts and healthcare practitioners at Coroners’ Inquests and in criminal cases across the full range of charges, including medical manslaughter.
Debra Powell KC
Barrister specialising in medical and mental health law, including clinical negligence, medical treatment decisions/Court of Protection, inquests, mental health tribunals, public inquiries; also specialising in civil police law, including false imprisonment/assault/malicious prosecution, discipline, pensions, judicial review, inquests.
Dijen Basu KC
Described by an earlier edition as ‘a details man: extremely good at forensic analysis of problems with human rights or medical slants’ and ‘a conscientious and extremely focused silk', Dijen specialises in Judicial Review, Inquests and Inquiries, Police Law and Employment Law. A qualified doctor, he is a particularly effective cross-examiner of medical and scientific experts in technically complex litigation and inquests.
Edward Pleeth
Edward specialises in police law, public law and medical law. Edward advises and represents many of the police forces in the country in a wide variety of civil actions. He has represented the police in both jury and judge-only trials and has acted in a variety of interim matters. Edward has a particular interest in professional misconduct cases and has appeared as the presenting officer in police misconduct cases involving allegations of dishonesty and breach of confidentiality. Furthermore, Edward has undertaken a wide range of general advisory work, including operational advice to police forces on matters such as the implementation of new legislation and the disclosure obligations in civil and family litigation. Edward regularly acts for families, NHS Trusts and other statutory bodies at inquests around the country. Edward has particular interest in inquests held under Art 2 ECHR investigating deaths in police or prison custody and deaths of detained patients in psychiatric hospitals. Edward also has experience in advising on a wide range of international legal issues including International Criminal and Humanitarian Law. Edward has previously worked as a consultant on variety of legal projects at the United Nations Headquarters as well as in Bahrain, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Morocco and Kenya.
Eleanor Morrison
Elizabeth Fox
Elliot Gold
Elliot is a confident and trusted advocate combining good judgment on the law with a firm and detailed approach to cross-examination and sensitive client handling. The quality of Elliot’s advocacy is reflected in his appointment to the Attorney General’s ‘C’ Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown. Elliot regularly advises on prospects of success concerning liability, evidence generally, settlement terms and questions to medical experts. He also acts in settlement conferences and mediation hearings. Elliot also has an impressive knowledge of costs. He is regularly instructed in costs-only claims and has conducted a number of costs-appeals in the Supreme Court Costs Office, the County Court and the High Court. He has contributed to two legal training videos on the subject of costs after offers and the fixed costs regime.
Eloise Power
Eloise Power specialises in medical law, including clinical negligence, product liability, healthcare regulatory law, medical inquests and public law. She is presently instructed in a number of high-profile medical product liability cases including the trans-vaginal mesh litigation, the metal on metal hip litigation and the Pandemrix litigation. Her clinical negligence practice encompasses obstetric and gynaecological cases, surgical negligence, delayed diagnosis and a range of other matters. She often appears before regulatory panels and in High Court applications and appeals.
Emily Campbell
Emma Sutton KC
Emma is a recognised specialist in Public and Administrative law (including human rights and constitutional law) and the Court of Protection. She is instructed by a wide range of public bodies in complex and unusual cases including Local Authorities and NHS bodies in England and Wales, the Official Solicitor, the Public Guardian, CAFCASS, the Welsh Government, IMCA’s, professional RPR’s, Charities, and private individuals including Deputies and Attorneys. Emma is acknowledged for her meticulous approach to cases, her ability to present complex legal arguments in a straight forward manner, and highly regarded as a tenacious advocate who is exceptional with both professional and lay clients; particularly in sensitive and difficult cases.
Frances McClenaghan
Frances has developed a varied police law practice. In addition to misfeasance claims, she is also frequently instructed in Proceeds of Crime Act matters. She has experience of resisting disclosure on grounds of public interest immunity.
Frances has a significant clinical negligence practice, representing both claimants and defendants. She appears for families, NHS Trusts and individual healthcare professionals at inquests.
Frances is assiduous and effective. She can be relied upon to provide clear, timely advice. She is an effective advocate who enjoys working collaboratively with clients.
George Thomas
George works predominantly in the fields of healthcare and policing. Within these areas he regularly acts for clients in matters relating to compensation claims (including human rights and discrimination), judicial review, employment, disciplinary proceedings and inquests. George has a particular interest in public order policing. He is co-author of 'Public Order: Law and Practice' (Oxford University Press, 2012) and regularly provides advice on the planning and conduct of public order operations, as well as dealing with claims following such events.
Gerard Boyle KC
Gerry is a recognised specialist in medical and police law. His medical work includes regular appearances on behalf of practitioners before various regulatory bodies, including the General Medical Council, General Dental Council and Nursing and Midwifery Council. He is also frequently instructed by the Medical Defence organisations (MDU, MPS, MDDUS), the NHSLA and leading Claimant clinical negligence solicitors in civil actions and Inquests. Gerry's police practice covers the full spectrum of police work. He regularly represents the Metropolitan Police and other forces in high-profile police disciplinary and appeal tribunals. He has extensive experience in police civil actions and Inquests arising from fatal firearms operations and deaths in custody. He is accustomed to giving tactical advice and advice concerning the use of information, handling covert human intelligence sources, the actions of under cover police officers and duty of care issues generally.
Hannah Hinton
Hannah’s practice encompasses complex extradition work, public law, police law, professional discipline and financial crime. She has appeared in many leading cases interpreting the Extradition Act 2003 before the Divisional Court and in cases raising points of general public importance referred to the Supreme Court. She represents individuals facing criminal charges in the UK, EU and in many other countries, often involving significant political, human rights or health complexities and in high-value fraud or trafficking cases.
Heidi Knight
Heidi is an experienced clinical negligence, product liability and personal injury specialist with a varied and substantial practice. Heidi has undertaken personal injury work throughout her career and since joining Serjeants’ Inn Chambers has quickly developed a thriving clinical negligence and product liability practice. She is recommended as a leading junior in product liability by Legal 500 and is currently involved in two potential class actions relating to issues surrounding metal on metal hip replacements. Heidi has a particular interest in all aspects of medical and product liability law, having specialised for many years in personal injury law through which she has an in-depth knowledge of the medical sector. Heidi undertakes work that is publically funded and is happy to take instructions on a CFA basis in appropriate cases. Clinical negligence: Heidi has a growing clinical negligence practice and, since joining Serjeants Inn Chambers, has been instructed in a large number of clinical negligence cases encompassing a broad spectrum of medical issues, including obstetrics, psychiatry, microbiology and cosmetic surgery. Heidi regularly settles pleadings, drafts letters of claim / response and advises in writing and in conference. She has recently acted in a variety of claims where there has been a failure to competently perform surgical procedures, failures to obtain informed consent, claims against GPs, and claims for nervous shock following the loss of a baby. Product liability and group litigation: in conjunction with her clinical negligence and personal injury practice Heidi has significant experience of acting in both general product liability claims encompassing a personal injury element and group litigation. She has particular experience of claims involving pharmaceutical products. Heidi was instructed as junior counsel in the Fetal Anticonvulsant Litigation where (alongside Christopher Johnston QC and James Berry) she represented over 100 claimants in a major group action relating to birth defects caused by exposure to the anti-epileptic drug Epilim during pregnancy. This was an exceptionally complex case requiring in-depth analysis of medical evidence in a variety of fields including clinical pharmacology, teratology, neuropsychology and both adult and infant epilepsy. Heidi is currently instructed in multiple potential class actions against various manufacturers arising out of difficulties patients have experienced with metal on metal hip implants and resurfacings. She advises in relation to a variety of product liability claims and has a specific interest in those involving pharmaceuticals or medical devices. She is acting for an infant claimant in a claim arising from a malfunctioning cochlear implant which was subject to medical recall, has recently represented an infant claimant in a claim following injury caused by a defective firework and successfully settled a claim against the Ford Motor Company arising from personal injuries sustained when a vehicle failed due to defective brakes. Inquests: Heidi has developed an extensive inquest practice including inquests held in accordance with Article 2 involving suspected clinical failures or deaths in custody. Heidi specialises in acting for the families of the deceased but also acts for doctors and healthcare trusts. She has experience in acting in inquests involving both coroners sitting alone and sitting with juries and in those involving complicated expert evidence. Recent experience includes representing the family of a man who died following restraint by police officers whilst an inpatient and the family of a man who died after suffering from severe side effects following his involvement in a drug trial. Personal injury: Heidi is instructed in personal injury work of all levels of complexity and has extensive experience of representing both claimants and defendants in a variety of personal injury matters. She has advised and litigated across a broad spectrum of personal injury and fatal accident claims of all values, including employer’s liability, health and safety at work, road traffic claims and has extensive experience in claims arising out of accidents on the highway, occupiers’ liability and defective premises. Heidi is available for mediations and round table meetings and is happy to attend clients’ offices for conferences.
Ian Skelt KC
Ian is a highly experienced silk with extensive experience in police law, all aspects of inquest law, administrative law, employment law and regulatory work. A member of the Government’s ‘A’ Panel for civil work (NI), he is well known for his compelling advocacy and comprehensive knowledge of his brief. He represented West Yorkshire Police in the Supreme Court in a review of civil liability of the police for operational activity and was Counsel to the Coroner in the Jordan Inquest.
Jake Rylatt
James Watson KC
James undertakes work in a wide range of areas which now predominantly focus on clinical negligence and healthcare, police issues, and professional disciplinary and regulatory work. His experience in both previous and existing areas of specialisation has also included commercial and construction litigation, employment and judicial review. He is also qualified and very experienced mediator.
James Berry
James is an experienced public, civil and regulatory barrister. Over the past decade, he has been involved in numerous high profile and complex cases in a wide variety of courts and tribunals up to and including the Court of Appeal. James often appears unled against QCs and more senior counsel.
Jamie Mathieson
Jamie has a busy and growing practice across all areas of Chambers’ work. He has experience of all areas of healthcare law, working principally in clinical negligence, inquests and in the Court of Protection. He regularly appears in court with barristers of far higher levels of call, and is recognised for his calm and empathic approach with clients.
Jemma Lee
Joanne Kane
John De Bono KC KC
John is highly sought after by both claimants and defendants. He is well known as a leading practitioner in clinical negligence. He also practises in personal injury, cases of sexual abuse, police law and judicial review. Described by clients cited in a previous edition of The Legal 500 as a “dream to work with”, he is highly regarded for his team approach, empathy and intelligence.
John Beggs KC
John Beggs QC was called to the Bar in 1989 and took silk in 2009. John is one of the most sought-after silks at the Bar. He has shaped police law in the UK, appearing in key roles in some of the most important cases of recent years. An earlier edition notes that "he is probably the best cross-examiner outside the Criminal Bar" and that “he is so respected that it is normally a fight between authorities and defence lawyers to see who can approach him first to represent their clients.” He was awarded Professional Discipline Silk of the Year at the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2018. Please visit the Serjeants' Inn website for his profile, which sets out full details of his practice including relevant work of note.
Jonathan Holl-Allen KC
Jonathan Holl-Allen was called to the Bar in 1990 and took silk in 2018. Jon has been a medical lawyer throughout his career at the Bar. In clinical negligence cases he acts for claimants and for defendants on behalf of all the major medical defence organisations and NHSR. A substantial part of his practice for the last 20 years has been acting on behalf of the practitioner in professional discipline cases, particularly in the medical and dental fields. In silk he is regularly instructed in police pensions cases, in which he has a longstanding interest and expertise. An earlier edition notes “Jon is delightful to work with. He is assured, astute and always on top of the issues involved. He conveys authority and can be relied upon to be close to the detail when handling difficult, complex cases.”
Katharine Gollop KC
Extensive High Court and County Court experience representing claimants and healthcare professionals (including GPs, dentists, hospital doctors, psychiatrists, nurses); cases include Das v Ganju [1999] Lloyds Rep Medical 198, a court of Appeal limitation decision, and Greenfield v Irwin [2001] 1 WLR 1279, a Court of Appeal decision concerning the impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 on claims for damages for unwanted births. Particular trial and advisory experience of high value brain damaged baby cases. Healthcare law: Tribunal work includes disciplinary matters in the GMC and GDC, inquiries into practitioner’s clinical competence and conduct, appeals to the Secretary of State against decisions relating to GP job vacancies and discrimination and other healthcare related employment cases. Representation of families, doctors and NHS trusts at inquests; also advisory work in relation to confidentiality and disclosure of records. Personal injury: extensive trial and advisory work for both claimants and defendants; particular emphasis on industrial accidents/manual handling injuries in the hospital context. Many appearances at the CICB. Employment: regular appearances in the Employment Tribunal, particularly race, sex, disability discrimination, unfair dismissal and redundancy. Firm commitment to pro bono work.
Liam Duffy
Louisa Brown
Malcolm Fortune
Malcolm is a heavyweight Senior and very experienced Junior Counsel, whose current broad based defence practice in the dental and medical regulatory and coronial fields, developed over many years, stems from his professional background on the specialist list of Counsel instructed to prosecute by the Crown Prosecution Service, principally at the Central Criminal Court. Malcolm is not only able to get quickly to the heart of the matter but also and more importantly able to get the best out of all those whose interests he is asked to represent.
Mark Harries KC
Mark specialises in business and financial crime, professional discipline and regulatory work, in particular in the medical legal , and financial sectors. An “outstanding advocate” with “gallons of charm” who is known for his “phenomenal way of cutting through to the heart of a case“, he provides a first class service for private client individuals accused of fraud, serious crime and professional misconduct. He also has a wealth of experience defending murder and manslaughter cases.
Mark Ley-Morgan
Barrister specialising in all areas of the law associated with the police service but particularly civil actions and disciplinary cases. Also specialising in inquests and healthcare discipline.
Matthew Holdcroft
Matthew is a leading junior barrister who specialises in public law, with a particular emphasis on the police. High profile work includes the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse and the Undercover Policing Inquiry, the Hillsborough inquest, the disciplinary proceedings relating to Plebgate, Kingsley Burrell and the death of Ian Tomlinson and advising in relation to aspects of the Jimmy Savile investigation. He appears in personal injury cases for clients including Tesco and Sports Direct.
Michael Mylonas KC
Barrister specialising in clinical negligence, health and safety and personal injury. Michael has a broad practice focused on the following areas: clinical negligence and personal injury claims, disciplinary and regulatory issues arising in relation to human fertilisation and embryology and human tissue act claims, all aspects of discipline in the field of healthcare (GMC, GDC, PCT, FTT and UT hearings), all aspects of medical treatment and welfare decisions both under the Court’s inherent jurisdiction and in the Court of Protection, all aspects of health and safety law including in particular preparing for and defending investigations and prosecutions against construction companies, railway undertakings, automotive and engineering companies, aviation undertakings, schools and universities. Michael also advises in relation to sports discipline generally and aviation law. He holds a pilot’s license (rotary) and a British Racing Driver’s License. He is a member of the Hurlingham Polo Association and has advised and represented sportsmen before a variety of disciplinary bodies. Michael’s expertise is acknowledged in all these areas by the legal directories where he is recommended as an expert in three individual categories: (a) clinical negligence; (b) Court of Protection; and (c) discipline/regulatory.
Michael Horne KC
Michael Horne QC was called to the Bar in 1992 and took silk in 2016. Michael specialises in healthcare law; primarily in clinical negligence, but also in treatment decision cases in the Court of Protection and Family Division, and in professional regulatory proceedings. He is known for his thorough, measured and focused approach with particular expertise in cases where the facts or medicine are complex. An earlier edition notes that “he is extremely detailed, thorough and on point. Clients really warm to him. He is brilliant to work with and goes through everything with a fine-tooth comb.” Please visit the Serjeants' Inn website for his profile, which sets out full details of his practice including relevant work of note.
Michael Walsh
Michael balances a caseload of complex and high-value clinical negligence matters for both claimants and defendants, and has significant experience in cerebral palsy and other birth injuries, brain injury, spinal injury and brachial plexus injury claims, and similar catastrophic injuries. Having been led and solely instructed on matters up to the value of £10m, Michael also advises in professional negligence matters in related personal injury and clinical negligence claims of significant value, having now acted in healthcare and related injury matters from Inquest to trial and on appeal for more than 19 years. Michael regularly represents the full range of Properly Interested Persons at Article 2 and jury Inquests, including NHS Trusts, individual clinicians, Care homes, and families, arising from individual consultations or alleged systemic failures in care, including suicide whilst in informal and formal detention. He also advises on Judicial Review of Coroners’ decisions. Having developed particular expertise and interest in psychiatric injuries and pain management, Michael also acts as co-editor of the Journal of Observational Pain.
Nageena Khalique KC
Nageena is a first class healthcare barrister, with a focus on public and administrative law including health, social care, mental health and education, Court of Protection and inquests. She is also very highly regarded for clinical negligence, civil liberties and human rights and her practice includes medical regulatory law. She was formerly a hospital dentist having worked as a Registrar in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery in NHS hospitals prior to embarking on her legal career.
Neil Davy KC
Barrister specialising in medical law (including negligence actions for claimant and defendants, disciplinary hearings and inquests); employment law.
Oliver Williamson
Practice covering all aspects of medical and police law and related civil proceedings. Disciplinary and regulatory hearings (representing doctors and dentists in the GMC and GDC respectively and prosecuting police misconduct hearings), clinical negligence (claimant and defendant) and inquests and all related aspects of public law, both in his own right and as junior counsel. Oliver has acted on behalf of families and doctors in relation to a number of high-profile paediatric deaths and on behalf of NHS Trusts and families in deaths in custody. Junior Counsel in actions against manufacturers arising out of metal on metal hip implant litigation. Junior Counsel for the Match Commanders in the Hillsborough Inquests. Junior Counsel for Surrey Police in fresh inquest into the death of Cheryl James at the Deepcut Army barracks. Junior Counsel in high-profile prosecutions of the Chief Constable and Deputy Chief Constable of Cleveland Police and both the associated Judicial Reviews arising therefrom. Junior counsel in Southall v General Medical Council [2010] EWCA Civ 407, concerning the adequacy of reasons for findings made in the GMC; and in Court of Appeal and Supreme Court in Edwards v Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust [2010] EWCA Civ 571 and Edwards v Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Botham v Ministry of Defence [2011] UKSC 58.
Olivia Kirkbride
Paul Spencer
Paul is a regulatory lawyer who specialises in healthcare litigation, CQC enforcement action and disputes, inquests and defending HSE prosecutions. Paul led the legal team that acted for the Health Protection Agency (now Public Health England) at the Mid Staffs Inquiry. He is an accredited advanced police station advisor and represents and advises health sector clients who are interviewed under caution by the HSE, Police and NHS Counter Fraud investigators. Paul regularly advises Trusts and private providers who have conditions imposed on their registration or who face emergency (Magistrates Court) or slow cancellation proceedings (First tier Tribunal). For many years Paul has also acted for the regulator (L/As under the RHA 1984, NCSC, CSCI, HCC, OFSTED and CQC) and has a wealth of experience and clear understanding of the approach that is required to such enforcement cases. He is acutely aware of the potentially damaging impact of publicity on clients' businesses having acted in numerous cases where publicity was a crucial factor. These include acting for the undercover Nurse who covertly filmed for Channel 4 Dispatches, for Castlebeck following the broadcast film on Winterbourne View, for one of the UK’s leading private providers of termination services after an undercover Daily Telegraph journalist recorded one of the Consultants offering a sex selection termination and for the HPA/PHE at the Mid Staffs Inquiry. Paul is principally instructed by Solicitors and in-house teams but does accept direct access instructions from healthcare clients.
Pravin Fernando
Rachael Gourley
Rachel Spearing
Ranald Davidson
Prior to being called to the Bar, Ranald qualified and worked as a junior doctor in Scotland. His practice since becoming a barrister focuses principally on clinical negligence (claimant and defendant) and medical and dental disciplinary work. Ranald also has considerable experience in inquest law and has been involved in a number of sports injury claims. He has successfully represented parties seeking injunctive relief under the prevention from Harassment Act 1997.
Rhys Hadden
Rhys specialises in all areas of public and human rights law. He is regularly instructed to advise on a diverse range of matters including mental health, community care, health care, education, social housing and immigration law. His knowledge of the law across a number of fields enables him to bring an innovative perspective to complex or unusual cases. Rhys is on the Attorney General’s Regional B Panel and the Welsh Government’s Junior Counsel A Panel.
Richard Partridge
Medical Law. All aspects notably civil litigation for both claimants and defendants. Professional discipline appearing on behalf of all healthcare professionals before their disciplinary tribunals and in higher courts. Additionally specialises in Inquests, Inquiries and related public law areas.
Sarah Clarke KC
Sarah Clarke QC was called to the Bar in 1994 and took silk in 2017. Sarah’s practice encompasses a wide range of fields including financial services, insider dealing, corporate fraud, sexual offences, police and regulatory proceedings and inquests. She brings her knowledge of the law in many fields to bear on complex cases and has a creative approach to problem solving. She is known for her thorough preparation and ability to master complex issues, particularly in cases involving expert evidence. An earlier edition notes that “she is extremely well prepared, very knowledgeable and puts the client at the heart of her advice.” Please visit the Serjeants' Inn website for her profile, which sets out full details of her practice (including her time in the Enforcement Division and subsequently the Litigation Department of what was then the FSA) and relevant work of note.
Sarah Simcock
Sarah specialising in medical law (including negligence actions for claimant and defendants, disciplinary hearings, medical ethics and inquests); personal injury law, police law (including disciplinary matters), employment law, related public law and general common law.
Scott Matthewson
Sebastian Naughton
Sebastian practises clinical negligence, personal injury and employment law. He is also an experienced inquest advocate regularly acting on behalf of families, NHS Trusts and healthcare professionals in cases involving highly complex medical issues. He regularly acts in cases where Article 2 is engaged.
Sebastian has acted in hundreds of employment tribunals and appears regularly in the EAT, within internal disciplinary processes and in the Court of Appeal. He has considerable experience of complex and high value discrimination and victimisation claims, and particular expertise in claims involving complex medical issues.
Simon Fox KC
Simon is a medically qualified specialist clinical negligence silk with 25 years’ experience. Simon trained, qualified and worked firstly as a doctor in the UK, New Zealand and Central Africa. His experience covered most areas of medicine and surgery and included accident and emergency medicine, neurosurgery and treating casualties from the Mozambique civil war. As a barrister Simon has specialised in clinical negligence and, in particular, in cases with difficult or complicated issues on breach and causation. He is one of the few barristers to have succeeded on a disputed material contribution causation argument at trial.
Simon Cridland
Simon is a healthcare law and medical mal-practice specialist. His practise encompasses all aspects of this specialism including clinical and dental negligence, regulation and professional discipline of all healthcare professionals – including internal proceedings and proceedings before the national regulators, inquests and inquiries, and advisory work. Additionally, Simon has a substantial product liability practice, including but not limited to pharmaceuticals, medical products and surgical prostheses.
Sophia Roper KC
Sophia was previously a specialist Court of Protection health and welfare lawyer at the Official Solicitor's office. Her work has included all aspects of medical treatment and welfare cases, including Human Rights Act claims.
Sophia started her legal career at the Bar at 5 Raymond Buildings doing libel and media law. She also worked at Hampshire County Council advising Adult Services on all aspects of community care and mental health.
Stephen Morley
Stephen specialises in police work and acts for forces across the country. He regularly appears in disciplinary proceedings, civil proceedings, licensing hearings (firearms and liquor) and inquests.
Susanna Rickard
Susanna has a wide ranging and full civil practice with an established emphasis on medical and healthcare law, including the regulation of the healthcare sector. She has advised and acted in numerous matters relating to Care Quality Commission action against care homes and hospitals, including cancellation of registration, prosecution for breach of registration conditions and judicial review. Susanna has extensive Court of Protection and mental health law experience. She represents parties including the Official Solicitor in complex medical treatment, welfare, and deprivation of liberty cases, appearing regularly in the Court of Protection; she also has experience of difficult child/adolescent medical cases heard in the Family Division, overlapping with care proceedings. In mental health law Susanna regularly advises and represents NHS Trusts in high-security psychiatric tribunal cases including restricted patient applications. She has represented patients in First Tier and Upper Tribunal matters as well as judicial review and habeas corpus cases, and provided advice to Trusts and patients in relation to human rights breaches and unlawful detention claims. In police law, Susanna has a developing practice as a junior and a particular interest in public order law; she is co-author of ‘Public Order: Law and Practice’ (OUP, 2012). She has advised the police in relation to public order and operational policing concerns, as well as data protection and freedom of information matters in which she is able to draw on experience developed in her healthcare practice. Susanna is also regularly instructed in inquests involving police, NHS Trusts and prison deaths and has acted for families, NHS Trusts and the Ministry of Justice.
Tom Crowther KC