Lauren Karmel > Chambers of Matthew White > Bristol, England > Barrister Profile
St John's Chambers Offices
St John's Chambers
101 VICTORIA STREET
BRISTOL
BS1 6PU
England
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Lauren Karmel
Work Department
Clinical negligence, Inquests and Personal Injury
Career
Call : 2017
Lauren is ranked as a leading junior for clinical negligence in The Legal 500 2024 guide, and is a specialist clinical negligence and inquests barrister. She has a sub-specialism in professional regulation and fitness to practise matters. Lauren acts for both claimants and defendants and is happy to consider instructions on a CFA.
In clinical negligence and healthcare, she acts for hospitals, individual clinicians and for patients in all areas of medicine. She is frequently instructed to advise on and negotiate settlements in high-value claims. She has been praised for her ability to provide “clear and pragmatic advice”.
Lauren regularly appears for families and healthcare providers in inquests, including those where Article 2 is engaged.
Lauren is described as a barrister who is “calm and collected in Court, persistent with difficult witnesses, organised, thorough over the details and has one of the best bedside manners with clients that I have seen. Her ability far exceeds her years”.
Lauren is currently being led by Matthew Phillips KC in an ongoing claim concerning allegations of negligent failings to identify and treat symptoms of brain stem stroke, resulting in neuropathic pain and multiple injuries.
Lauren regularly delivers training to solicitors firms throughout the UK, and is happy to deliver bespoke training upon request. She writes articles for the AvMA newsletter, and her insights on current clinical negligence and inquest topics can be heard through our podcast channel here. Lauren regularly volunteers on the AvMA helpline.
Lauren is often involved with file surgeries for clinical negligence claims, where her knowledge and expertise assists our solicitor clients with their cases at an early stage. She can be booked for these through her clerking team.
Lauren joined Chambers in April 2022 following the successful completion of her pupillage under the supervision of Justin Valentine. Prior to commencing pupillage, Lauren spent two years working at the NHS Resolution. This provided valuable insight into clinical negligence claims in both primary and secondary care. Lauren also has prior experience assisting in Tribunal hearings on behalf of registrants before the General Medical Council and General Dental Council, having worked in a law firm specialising in professional discipline.
Memberships
- Personal Injury Bar Association
- AvMA
- Professional Negligence Bar Association
Education
- LLB Honours, University of Nottingham
- BPTC, City University London
- Middle Temple Benefactors Scholar
- Middle Temple Blackstone Scholar
- Diploma in Clinical Risk
Lawyer Rankings
Regional Bar > Western Circuit > Inquests and inquiries
(Rising stars)Ranked: Tier 1Lauren Karmel –St John’s Chambers ‘Lauren has an eye for detail and can be relied upon as an advocate to ensure the family’s questions and concerns are central in the process.’
Regional Bar > Western Circuit > Clinical negligence
(Leading Juniors)Ranked: Tier 2Lauren Karmel – St John’s Chambers ‘Lauren provides clear and well-considered advice. She is approachable and quick to respond.’
‘A great set’, St John’s Chambers acts for a range of claimants and defendants on all aspects of clinical negligence, including obstetrics, gynaecology, general surgery and neurology. Practice head Justin Valentine is highly skilled in mandates concerning neonatal, cauda equina and diabetes and stands out as ‘a safe pair of hands to place complex and high-value work’. Rachel Segal is well-known for ‘her excellent advocacy and a tremendous wealth of knowledge and expertise’ and regularly deals with matters related to delayed diagnoses of cancer and negligent gynaecological and ophthalmological care. The ‘very approachable and helpful’ James Marwick specialises in complex causation cases, including major spinal and birth injuries and other conditions. Lauren Karmel is another key member of the set with considerable experience in cases involving dentistry, ophthalmology and maternal injuries during childbirth and is ‘conscientious and very skilled’.