2 Temple Gardens

Alex joined Chambers in 2022, following the successful completion of his pupillage. He is building a varied practice across all of Chambers’ specialisms. He is particularly interested in clinical negligence, product liability, commercial and insurance disputes.

Barrister who specialises in commercial law, in particular insurance and reinsurance law, professional negligence and private international law. Accredited ARIAS mediator and sits as an arbitrator and court examiner. Experience of commercial law in major contractual disputes, including points on international law and jurisdictional matters. Appeared for and advised major insurance and reinsurance companies, Lloyd’s underwriters, the Corporation of Lloyd’s, insurance brokers and insureds on a variety of insurance and reinsurance covers. Instructed by Lloyd’s to provide independent expert evidence on the formation of insurance contracts at Lloyd’s for the purposes of an appeal in the Court of Appeal, Sao Paulo, Brazil arising out of Lloyd’s contingency insurance. Acts in professional negligence claims with particular expertise in claims involving insurance brokers and insurance intermediaries.  Instructed recently on high value commercial property insurance matters. Significant reported cases: Novus Aviation Ltd v Oman Air [2009] EWCA Civ 122 (foreign jurisdiction dispute). Barber v Lloyd’s Underwriters [1987] QB 103 (videotape evidence for US courts); Denby v The Hellenic Mediterranean Lines Co Ltd [1994] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 320 (marine insurance, jurisdiction); Lonrho Exports Ltd v ECGD [1996] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 649 (subrogation, holding insurance recoveries on trust); James Budgett Ltd v Norwich Union [2003] Lloyd’s Rep IR 110 (insurance coverage under commercial insurance in respect of contaminated sugar); Bestquest Ltd v Regency Care Homes Plc and The Ecclesiastical Insurance Company Plc [2003] Lloyd’s Rep IR 392 (failure to note interest on property and business interruption insurance).

Alistair’s practice spans a range of commercial litigation, with particular expertise in private international law disputes, group litigation, product liability and insurance. Clients often instruct Alistair on complex disputes for his experience across these areas. He is equally at home in trials and arbitrations as in dealing with complex points of law on appeal. He has acted in leading cases in the Supreme Court on numerous occasions and appeared as sole counsel in the Court of Appeal. Recent cases include: Bravo v Amerisur Resources Limited [2023] EWHC 122 (KB) (liability for oil spill in Colombia); Stait v Cosmos Insurance [2022] EWCA Civ 1429 (jurisdiction in claims by military personnel); Clarke v PZU [2022] EWHC 488 (QB) (liability of insurers for private medical practice under foreign law); FS Cairo (Nile Plaza) LLC v Brownlie [2021] UKSC 45 (jurisdiction of the English courts and approach to foreign law).

Anastasia is a highly experienced practitioner with particular expertise in defending fraudulent and exaggerated motor and other insurance fraud claims, and complex personal injury claims. Popular with clients, she is known for her meticulous attention to detail, her skilled, robust and tenacious cross-examination of suspected fraudsters, and her consistently excellent results. Anastasia is an experienced advocacy trainer for Gray’s Inn. Anastasia has been nominated for the Legal 500 Personal Injury Junior of the Year 2022.

Andrew practices as a KC and as a Mediator and Arbitrator, using his specialist expertise in commercial, construction, insurance, product liability, property damage and professional negligence disputes.  Andrew also has significant experience of international arbitration in (among others) Brunei, Singapore and the Philippines.  Andrew’s KC, mediation and arbitration practice includes domestic and international construction disputes, property damage claims, especially arising from floods, fires, explosions and subsidence,  insurance and reinsurance, coverage disputes, policy construction and interpretation, professional negligence, particularly claims against architects, engineers, surveyors, other construction professionals and insurance brokers. Andrew has used his background as a successful KC commercial practitioner to become a practical, efficient, approachable and user-friendly mediator.  Andrew is both CEDR and RICS accredited.  As a proponent of the ‘Active v Passive’ methodology of mediation, Andrew engages with the process and does not hesitate to debate and reality check with the parties in order to find a solution. Andrew welcomes a direct approach at all stages of the mediation and is very adaptable and able to deploy a blend of facilitation and evaluation to suit individual mediations and the parties’ needs and requirements. Andrew is an advocate for ‘Early Stage Mediation’ (ESM). Andrew has acted as lead mediator in commercial disputes valued at between £50,000 and in excess of £100m. He has received glowing feedback and testimonials on his performance and skill as a mediator.  One example summed up his approach and mediation style: “Andrew's performance as a mediator was excellent in two senses. Firstly the dispute was settled, and settled on the day. The parties’ positions were far apart (liability and quantum) but Andrew forced each side to recognise their weaknesses and consider very seriously the issue of 'what if...'. The second area that really impressed me was Andrew takes the position of mediator incredibly professionally and involves you in the theory and practice of the mediation so that you get the most out of it. Other mediators that i have used either don't adopt this approach (messenger type mediators) or are not as adept at it; mediator is a skilled role (the importance of which is only really becoming recognised) and Andrew is a ‘Master of It’. I sense that Andrew has a passion for mediation and will move the industry forward.” Senior Solicitor Partner – London Andrew has consistently been recognised by clients and in the legal directories for his strong negotiation and tactical skills. He is praised for his commercial approach to the resolution of disputes, whether in the traditional litigation forum, mediation and arbitration. Andrew has taken a pivotal role in the advancement of Remote Mediation during the Covid-19 pandemic.  He was one of the first mediators to run a remote/online mediation, a week prior to lock down.  Since March 2020, Andrew has mediated remotely extensively in a range of disputes and over a variety of jurisdictions both throughout the UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Jersey, Lithuania, Portugal, Philippines, South Africa, Singapore, Spain, Turkey and the USA. .  Andrew has continued to give seminars (on-line) and write regularly on mediation and in particular the advantages and disadvantages of remote mediation.  He has a loyal following of in excess of 29,000 professionals around the world on his LinkedIn platform.  Andrew is well known for his informative and amusing LinkedIn Posts and for leading debates on mediation through the LinkedIn platform. In September 2020 he was awarded Civil/Commercial Mediator of the Year 2020/2021 by the Civil Mediation Council at the National Mediation Awards 2020.  In 2020, Andrew was also elevated to the RICS’ President’s Mediator Panel. Andrew also practices as a single and panel Arbitrator in commercial arbitrations and has been a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb) since 1999. Andrew has been involved in domestic and international arbitrations up to the value of US$500m.   As Arbitrator Andrew applies a hands-on approach to the procedural management of arbitrations.  Andrew works with the parties to the arbitration by ensuring that the key issues in dispute are properly ventilated and addressed during the course of the arbitration.  Andrew spent 22 days of 2019 and 2020 in Manila as co-arbitrator in an ad-hoc arbitration concerning the destruction of a chemical plant in the Philippines in 2013. Andrew is also a trustee of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb).  In his role as trustee he has championed the greater use of mediation in arbitration.  He is working with CIArb on producing an international guide for arbitrators, arbitration counsel and users of arbitration on the benefits and use of mediation as part of the arbitration proceedings or as an alternative to arbitration.  Andrew has spoken regularly on Med-Arb and Arb-Med.   PUBLICATIONS September 2020: Are we asking the right questions about Mediation? -  Resolver (CIArb) Winter 2020 April 2020 – Mediating your way around Covid-19.  Remote Mediation – If not now when? – LinkedIn and other Publications. October 2019:  When does voluntary mediation become mandatory? – 2TG Commercial Blog and IPOS. August 2019: The Singapore Mediation Convention:  One Small Step for Mediators, One Giant Leap for Mediation? – UK Mediation Journal – Issue No.9. January 2018: Mediation in Cross Border Disputes:  A Natural Choice, But not for All. UK Mediation Journal – Issue No. 6. October 2017: Mediation – Is it any longer an alternative dispute resolution process? Corporate LiveWire. September 2017:  Is the Court of Appeal sending out mixed messages about mediation? Lawyer Monthly.

Andrew specialises in international group claims, clinical negligence, personal injury and employment work. Andrew’s group litigation work includes acting for the defendant in Kadie Kalma v African Minerals [2020] EWCA Civ 144 in the High Court and Court of Appeal. Andrew was instructed in the Gemfields litigation involving the operation of a ruby mine in Mozambique, and is currently instructed in Wambura v Barrick TZ Ltd, which involves the operation of a gold mine in Tanzania. He has acted on behalf of over 4,000 claimants following the loss of compensation monies paid out under a settlement arising out of the dumping of toxic waste in the Ivory Coast (Agouman v Leigh Day [2016] EWHC 1324 (QB)). Andrew has a large clinical negligence and personal injury practice. He has, for example, recently acted at trial in a case involving alleged unnecessary and unconsented-for surgery for pancreatic cancer (Sarah Pepper v Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust [2020] EWHC 310) and a case in which causation of a signet ring cell colorectal cancer is disputed. His appellate work includes appearing before the Privy Council in Kamal Williams v Bermuda Hospitals Board [2016] AC 888.

Anna is a very experienced advocate who regularly advises on complex and high value matters arising from clinical negligence and personal injury disputes. She also has considerable experience in the fields of travel and foreign claims, product liability and private international law. Anna is sought after by clients for her enviable cross-examination skills, and her keen eye for detail and unflappable manner mean that she is the go to choice for tricky, multi-party disputes. Recent notable cases include acting for the leading manufacturer of a female sterilisation device in a large product claim; securing discontinuance mid-trial of a claim against an NHS Trust in relation to alleged negligence in the management of a complex dermatology condition; securing discontinuance at Trial of a claim against a urology consultant; acting for a leading Chinese airline in relation to a pilot’s claim for injury at work; and acting for the insurer of a Polish driver accused of causing an accident in England which left two passengers dead and seriously injured two others.

Austin’s practice focuses on commercial litigation and insolvency, specialising in construction, insurance, product liability, and property damage. He also has experience in cross-border arbitration and travel law. Austin is instructed in the ongoing Dame Linda Dobbs Review into Lloyds Banking Group.

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Benjamin Phelps’s practice focuses on private international law: jurisdiction and applicable law, group litigation, product liability, property damage and commercial and employment litigation.

Described by Chambers UK as “an amazing courtroom presence” who is “completely bulletproof”, Bob is recognised as a leader of the Bar in Professional Negligence, Insurance and Property Damage. Heading the Professional Negligence Group at 2 Temple Gardens, he is an authoritative advocate with huge experience of indemnification and other insurance issues.  His reputation is for an informal hands on style, and robust advocacy, while an amiable and relaxed manner belies a capacity for meticulous attention to the detail of complex cases, and, when necessary ferocious cross-examination. He works for and against accountants, solicitors, valuers and surveyors, as well as construction industry professionals, especially in cases about the allocation of responsibility within multi-disciplinary teams. Bob’s background is in insurance law with long experience of subrogated recoveries in cases involving fire, flood and other catastrophic events, policy construction questions and repudiation for fraud. He retains a special interest in life and critical illness issues, and is often counsel of choice for insurers and reinsurers interested in these risks. Bob’s impressive record of appearances in reported cases, many of them landmark Court of Appeal authorities in his areas of specialisation, attest to the depth and width of his experience, and the success which he enjoys as a top-rated Queen’s Counsel.

Bradley is a specialist clinical negligence silk. His practice covers all aspects of clinical negligence for claimants and defendants, in particular brain damage, spinal injury (especially spinal surgery), amputation and other high value claims. He represented the defendant at first instance through to the Supreme Court in Darnley v Croydon Health Services NHS Trust [2018] UKSC 50, the landmark case about the duties of non-clinical NHS staff. He has expertise in dealing with the most complex quantum cases. For many years, he has been recommended as a leading clinical negligence barrister by Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners. Bradley has significant experience of product liability claims, including group litigation (most recently in the vaginal mesh litigation) and has undertaken personal injury and professional disciplinary work throughout his career.

Specialising in clinical negligence and medical law (especially concerning research & genetics; and including data protection and issues regarding medical records); complex personal injury litigation; related professional indemnity insurance; and health and safety claims. Principal work involves neo-natal and adult brain damage; spinal injury; death; psychiatric injury; chronic pain and a broad range of diagnostic and treatment errors in primary and tertiary care. Professional indemnity work usually relates to under-settlement or mismanagement of medical claims. The majority of Caroline's work involves very complex medical or legal issues. Acts for both claimants and defendants in all areas of her work.

Charles specialises in commercial law, in particular commercial fraud, professional negligence, product liability, private international law (including travel) and insurance. Recent cases include: Roberts v SSAFA [2021] QB 310 (applicable law and contribution); PDVSA v Clyde & Co  [2020] Lloyd's Rep. F.C. 580 (arbitration, trusts and proceeds of crime); Lemos v Lemos [2017] BPIR 716 (freezing order over trust); Brazil v Durant [2016] AC 297 (backwards tracing); Mitsui Sumitomo v MOPC [2016] AC 1488 (Liability under Riot (Damages) Act 1886 following August 2011 riots); Schubert Murphy v Law Society [2018] PNLR 4 (whether duty of care owed by Law Society).

An experienced advocate with extensive expertise in the Business & Property Courts, including the appellate courts. His practice covers various different sectors including banking, financial services, energy, property investment and development. He has particular expertise in shareholder disputes, business acquisition disputes, the misuse of commercial data, internal corporate disputes, directors duties, trusts (including off-shore work), related employment, professional negligence and private international work. In addition to trial and arbitration work he has significant experience in obtaining urgent interim relief, including freezing injunctions, search orders and other related injunctive relief. Also qualified as a mediator and arbitrator.

Renowned as a specialist in personal injury. An advocate with particular strengths in claims for psychiatric damage, especially stress, bullying, abuse and harassment, and for brain and spinal injury, occupational disease, fatal claims and all types of catastrophic injury. He also has expertise in environmental health, product liability (especially in relation to food), health and safely and other regulatory work. He is an advocate of enormous experience, is particularly in demand for cases requiring a high level of sensitivity and diplomacy with either client, opponent or judge. He is long established as a teacher of advocacy and trainer of advocacy teachers, and is often invited to teach advocacy oversees. Notable cases:    B v C [2017 – ongoing] – claim for sexual abuse of B, a vulnerable woman with learning difficulties, who had been placed in work experience by a charitable organisation to foster an earning capacity. Consent, duty of care and vicarious liability. AFC 1 – 21 v C [2016 – ongoing] – multi-claimant litigation for psychiatric injuries due to “non-tactile” abuse committed by housemaster/teacher at boarding school who filmed pupils engaged in private and sexual activities alone and with each other for his own gratification.

Clare is on the Treasury A Panel and is frequently instructed by the Government in the highest profile public law cases. She has a background as acting as Counsel to the Inquiry in a number of public inquiries and previously worked for the Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg and for the Ombudsman of Human Rights in Bosnia. Public Inquiries Clare is currently the Lead Junior representing HMRC in the Covid Inquiry. She was previously Junior Counsel to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (Lambeth Investigation). This follows a long background of public inquiry work, having previously been Junior Counsel in one of the Northern Ireland Public Inquiries (the Rosemary Nelson Inquiry) and Junior Counsel to an NHS inquiry into sexual abuse (the Kerr Haslam Inquiry). Group Litigation Clare was previously instructed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the multi-million pound Kenyan Emergency Group Litigation brought by over 40,000 “Mau Mau” and related claimants in respect of their experiences in colonial Kenya during the 1950s. Disclosure She advised the Ministry of Defence on complex disclosure matters, including Public Interest Immunity issues, in her role as the lead junior in one of the “Combat Immunity” cases arising out of the Iraq conflict. She has also led a team of junior counsel, instructed by the Government, in relation to disclosure issues related to the “Kamoka” litigation, concerning allegations of rendition and ill treatment sustained in Libya, brought against the British Government. Public Law Clare has been instructed in cases before the Investigatory Powers Tribunal and the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (led by Sir James Eadie KC). She was previously a Special Advocate. Whilst her current practice focuses on Public Law she has a background of a broad practice encompassing personal injury and clinical negligence. She was the junior to Dermod O’Brien KC in the case of Horton v Sadler [2006] UKHL 27 in the House of Lords instructed by the Motor Insurers Bureau. She also undertakes some academic work and is a part time Senior Lecturer on the Bar Professional Training Course.

Daniel Crowley is a very experienced trial lawyer. He has fought dozens of cases to trial. He is very experienced in appeals to the Court of Appeal where he has fought many appeals, mostly alone and without a leader. He specialises in insurance, construction and engineering, professional liability, product liability/property damage, commercial litigation, and arbitration. He is a Fellow of the CIArb and a Chartered Arbitrator. He acts as an advocate in international arbitrations including acting for (i) Claimant South American company in cross-border contractual claim; (ii) international energy and process contractor in ICC arbitrations (a) claim for variations and delay and disruption; and (b) claims arising from conversion of a coal fired power station to biomass in France. He sits as an arbitrator on party and institutional appointments. Commercial Disputes Barrister of the Year, Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2016.

David Thomas is an experienced junior with particular interests in property damage, insurance, product liability and professional negligence work. He takes on extensive advocacy and advisory work for both claimants and defendants. Since 2018 David has been representing a core participant in the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry. He has developed a deep understanding of the legislative and regulatory requirements of construction and fire safety in this context. This enables him to provide commercial, practical advice on the many issues currently being raised over the remediation of tall buildings. He also advises and appears in a wide range of property damage proceedings including flood, fire, landslip, tree root subsidence, malicious damage and defective premises claims. David’s property damage practice is complimented by his insurance and professional negligence work; which give him experience of insurance coverage disputes across a wide range of written lines, as well as broad experience of claims against legal and construction professionals. David has advised extensively on the various insurance and professional liability repercussions arising out of the ‘cladding crisis’, and in respect of the COVID-19 pandemic. Alongside his general insurance work, David has a specialist practice pursuing and defending claims on permanent health, critical illness (and similar) insurance policies. David has also developed a niche practice in respect of art insurance related disputes.

Property damage and professional indemnity, in particular construction professionals, brokers' negligence and utilities; commercial insurance and product liability, in particular complex claims, coverage and indemnity, with a heavy insurance-based practice.

Emily Albou has significant experience in a broad range of commercial disputes, both litigation and arbitration, in the UK and overseas with a particular focus on commercial fraud claims. Her areas of interest include international arbitration and litigation on subjects including banking, fraud, IP/IT, construction, travel, sport and insurance. Emily’s practice spans the Middle East (she has rights of audience before the DIFC Courts) and as a native French speaker is ideally placed to assist in claims involving French-language elements.

Emma specialises in disputes concerning complex commercial, insurance, employment, and international arbitration, across a range of industry sectors – in particular commercial, insurance, banking, construction, and energy. Emma has also been instructed in both domestic and international regulatory matters. She has acted in ICC, LCIA, DIFC-LCIA, UNCITRAL and SCC arbitrations. Emma is also regularly instructed in disputes concerning or relating to the Middle East and is DIFC Part II registered. Before joining 2TG, Emma practised as Counsel at 3 international law firms, working alongside solicitor teams on a regular basis, addressing matters from the point of engagement to end of trial, where necessary.

Eswar joined Chambers in 2023 following successful completion of his pupillage. He is building a practice in all of Chambers’ main areas, and has particular interest in sports, employment, fraud, product liability and general commercial matters.

Gareth has a busy and deliberately wide-ranging practice, dealing with both broad commercial litigation and clinical negligence. He has significant group litigation experience and handles all manner of claims, including consumer, environmental, data privacy and medical product actions.  He is recommended as a leading individual for group litigation in Chambers & Partners. Previous instructions include: the VW NOx Emissions Litigation; the British Airways Data Event Litigation, and group litigation against Ticketmaster. Current instructions include the Mercedes NOx Emissions Litigation and anticipated litigation against a number of other diesel vehicle manufacturers; medical products litigation including the Essure Medical Products Litigation and litigation against various manufacturers of trans-vaginal mesh.  He is also instructed in numerous data privacy matters, including against Equifax, and several other household names. Gareth also maintains a clinical negligence practice, representing Claimants and Defendants.  He has a particular interest in gynaecological, urinary and bowel injuries, including misdiagnosis, late diagnosis (including of cancer) and negligent surgery claims.

George specialises in commercial disputes and international arbitrations, with knowledge and experience across a number of industry sectors, particularly in financial services, insurance and reinsurance, construction, and information technology. George’s practice encompasses specialist commercial law including expertise in commercial fraud, IT, insolvency and cross-border disputes. Many of his cases involve scientific, engineering and IT subject matter.

Barrister at 2 Temple Gardens. Nationwide practice in catastrophic clinical negligence and personal injury work, representing both claimants and defendants.   Nominated for Legal 500 Clinical Negligence Junior of the Year 2023. Please see the 2TG website for further details of professional recommendations.

Hayley practises in employment, personal injury and contractual disputes on behalf of claimants and defendants. She acts for public authorities, NHS Trusts and private employers. Her experience covers unfair dismissal, including constructive unfair dismissal, redundancy, equal pay, discrimination and victimisation, wrongful dismissal and TUPE claims. Appeared in the EAT on behalf of the John Lewis Partnership, responding to an appeal against a successful costs application by the partnership and separately for the JLP, acted in a claim of sexual harassment and victimisation where the male claimant alleged that he had been sexually harassed by a 67-year-old female colleague. Acted for a local authority respondent in an age discrimination claim arising from the repeal of the default retirement age. For an NHS Trust responding to a claim of unfair dismissal where the employer dismissed on grounds of gross misconduct and the claimant raised gender reassignment as mitigation for his actions. For a claimant in her claim for unfair dismissal and disability discrimination against an NHS Trust. The claimant succeeded in her claim for unfair dismissal, received an award in excess of the cap and obtained an award for 95% of her costs up to the decision on liability and 100% thereafter. For a respondent NHS Trust at a PHR in which the respondent successfully sought strike out of the claimant’s claim of race discrimination. Hayley’s personal injury work includes, for the Treasury Solicitor, advising the prison service in relation to personal injury claims brought both by employees and prisoners, and claims for false imprisonment, often raising human rights issues. Hayley has wide experience of general contractual disputes, including claims involving the sale and supply of goods and services. She is regularly instructed in credit hire litigation. She regularly represents the Post Office in claims involving the Postal Services Act 2000. Hayley was led by Christopher Lundie in the Court of Appeal in Milner v Carnival PLC [2010] EWCA Civ 389 CA, a landmark Court of Appeal decision on the assessment of damages for loss of enjoyment and diminution of value in holiday claims.

Helen specialises in claims at the interface between personal injury and employment law, including claims for bullying and harassment, occupational stress and disability discrimination, acting primarily for Defendants/Respondents. She is an experienced and effective advocate and negotiator and is highly regarded for her ability to apply her first-class legal knowledge to high value cases involving complex issues of law, fact or expert evidence to achieve excellent results. She is adept at anticipating her clients’ requirements and at tailoring her approach to the demands of the individual case. Her hard working, personable approach and ability to give clear and pragmatic advice ensures she is consistently sought after. Recent cases: (1) acting for Respondent sports governing body in respect of an appeal to the Court of Appeal regarding an exception to the applicability of qualified one way costs shifting rules when the personal injury element of a mixed claim was struck out (2) acting for Respondent EL insurer in EAT appeal against a tribunal’s judgment dismissing a high value claim for disability discrimination brought against it, exceptionally, under the Third Parties (Rights Against Insurers) Act 2010 (3) acting for defendant recruitment agency in relation to several substantial psychiatric injury claims brought by alleged victims of human trafficking and forced labour.

Practice areas: Personal injury, clinical negligence, travel and jurisdiction.

Henry’s experience encompasses sale and supply of goods and services, credit hire litigation, a landmark ruling on assessment of damages for a ruined holiday, insurance claims, claimant and defendant personal injury and sports related work, as well as applications involving all aspects of civil procedure. He worked extensively on Milner v Carnival PLC [2010] EWCA Civ 389 CA, a landmark Court of Appeal decision on assessment of damages. He has experience of insurance claims concerning policy interpretation, avoidance of cover for nondisclosure, misrepresentation and breach of notification clauses. Henry has experience of both claimant and defendant personal injury work. He has experience of claims involving the Motor Insurers’ Bureau and credit hire issues, as well as claims arising from road traffic accidents and package tour holidays. He is also interested in sports injuries. Cases include: a successful appeal against a Rugby Football Club which refused to disclose the name of one of its players, thereby preventing the claimant from bringing a personal injury action against the tortfeasor – the appeal involved detailed consideration of the Norwich Pharmacal jurisdiction and its application in a sports law context; a negligent football tackle by an amateur player, including advising on a successful strike out application pursuant to a Gravil v Carroll argument on vicarious liability; an injury to a spectator at a professional football match which included allegations of aggressive crowd management and victimisation by both the football ground’s security staff and the local police; an injury to a child in a sports/recreational centre arising from the installation of allegedly dangerous play equipment; An injury to a tennis player sustained in Menorca, which involved consideration of local standards and liability under foreign law for sports-related injuries.

Howard Palmer QC is particularly respected for his experience in insurance of employers’ liability, public liability, product liability and motor insurance risks. In addition, he has wide experience of national and international litigation and arbitration, including conflicts of laws and jurisdiction issues involving international travel and insurance. He acts for Claimants as well as domestic and foreign insurers and reinsurers. He has been instructed in appeals to the Supreme Court in Durham v BAI (EL, asbestos 2012), Jacobs v MIB (motor, uninsured foreign claims 2011) and Brownlie v Four Seasons (foreign jurisdiction 2016). In motor insurance he appeared in Charlton v Fisher (CA 2002), Bristol v Williams (CA 2012) and Nemeti v Sabre Insurance (CA 2013). Recent cases include Transform Medical v Travelers Insurance (2015 - Product Liability Insurance), Wagenaar (CA 2014 Foreign skiing accident). His practice includes expertise in construction and engineering contracts, fire and flood recoveries and professional negligence. He has been admitted ad hoc to the Bar of Brunei, and has acted as an expert in English Law in foreign insurance and product liability cases.

Jack is an experienced advocate with a practice that covers a broad range of common law and commercial disputes. He has particular expertise in bringing and defending high value and complex personal injury claims and property damage claims arising from subsidence, fire and flooding.

James accepts instructions across the full range of Chambers’ work.  He has a particular interest in commercial, employment, private international law and property damage litigation. Highlights of James’ recent and current work include: Al Jaber & Ors v Salfiti & Ors[2021] – acting (led by Olivier Kalfon and Zac Sammour) in a multi-million pound cross-border fraud claim concerning allegations of conspiracy and breaches of fiduciary duties. Rowe & Ors v Angermann Goddard & Lloyd[2021] – acting (led by Timothy Killen) for a defendant quantity surveying company in a multi-million pound dispute concerning the proper valuation of land held by a family trust. O’Toole v Demarca Gaming Limited[2020] – acting as sole counsel for the defendant in a successful jurisdiction challenge to a contract claim against a Maltese casino. Oakley v EE Ltd[2021] – acting as sole counsel for the claimant in her successful claims for constructive dismissal, unfair dismissal, disability discrimination and harassment against a major telephone network provider.

Jennifer specialises in all areas of immigration, asylum human rights and employment law. She is a member of the Attorney General’s Panel Counsel to the Crown (B Panel) and an experienced advocate, appearing regularly in the Administrative Court, Upper Tribunal (IAC) and Employment Tribunals.

Jessica’s work embraces a wide range of Chambers’ specialisations: negligence, commercial, international, public and sports law. In addition, she practices in WTO and International Trade Law, offering a unique perspective as a former economist. She has advised companies and the UK Government on Brexit and its trade-related consequences. She was seconded to the Bank of England’s EU Withdrawal Unit, advising on international trade matters, including WTO and BIT issues.   Her work at the Bank of England has placed her at the forefront of Brexit and its implications. She regularly advised the Governors on EU and UK legal matters that impacted Brexit, in addition to her advisory work on international trade.   In Chambers, she specialises in negligence and commercial matters, with a particular interest in international trade, contractual, insurance and reinsurance, professional negligence and property damage.

Extensive experience of motor insurance claims, including coverage issues and contribution between insurers.  Cases include Sahin v Havard [2017] 1 WLR 1853, Pinn & Guo v. Zenith Insurance (2014), Clarke and Clarke v MIB [2012] EWHC 2118, Harvey v MIB [2011] and McCall v Poulton & MIB [2009] RTR 11. Long experience of disease claims (esp asbestos, but also deafness, dermatitis and WRULD) for claimants and defendants (eg Smith v. Portswood [2016] EWHC 939, Prater v. British Motor Holdings (2016) Lawtel). Particular interest in stress and harassment claims (e.g. Mullen v Accenture [2010] EWHC 2336) and defending fraudulent/exaggerated claims (e.g. Singh v O'Shea [2009] EWHC 1251). Instructed in cases involving complex technical and accounting issues.  Related practice areas include property and construction litigation. PUBLICATIONS: Contributor to Injury Times, PILJ.

Common law and insurance practice including personal injury claims, professional negligence and property damage and nuisance claims, in particular fire, flood and tree roots subsidence for many local authority clients. Extensive background in contract & commercial, real property and landlord & tenant law brings additional expertise to bear on leasehold property damage claims and to professional negligence actions involving conveyancing and construction professionals. Considerable experience of large scale, complex, document-heavy litigation, in particular as successful junior in Re: Landhurst Leasing a directors’ disqualification case. He regularly advises personal injury, buildings and other insurers on a broad range of contractual issues including coverage and subrogation. A busy claimant and defendant personal injury practice covering the whole spectrum of liability and quantum disputes, in particular employers’ liability, industrial disease, occupiers’ and public liability, product liability, RTAs and the MIB and Animals Act cases. He has an interest in sporting and dangerous pursuits, regularly advising in winter sports, football, rugby and cricket cases; he acted extensively for the defendant club in parachuting and gliding accidents including catastrophic and fatal cases. Experienced trial and interlocutory advocate in most civil and criminal courts and tribunals including inquests, in particular for Spanish cinema seating manufacturer, Figueras, in Re: Ateeq Rafiq (deceased) in the Birmingham Coroner’s Court in 2019. Considerable experience of settling and arguing complex and high-value schedules and counter schedules of loss and of cross-examining experts in many different fields. Notable cases: Purbrick v. London Borough of Hackney [2004] 1 P&CR 34 Re: Landhurst Leasing [1999] BCLC 286, Ch.D Smith v. Donelon & Co. Ltd (1998) LTL, CA Cuthbert v. Bannister (1998) LTL, CA Kelsey Housing Association v. King [1995] 28 HLR 270, CA

Kate’s practice focuses primarily on product liability, property damage, employment, clinical negligence, insurance and commercial disputes. Kate has a particular interest in cases involving issues of jurisdiction and conflicts of law.

Lucas Fear-Segal's practice is focussed on insurance, property damage, and professional negligence claims.

Barrister

Lucy specialises in the areas of personal injury, travel, private international law and clinical negligence. She is regularly instructed to act in catastrophic personal injury claims arising from accidents abroad. She has considerable expertise in dealing with claims with an international element, involving jurisdiction and choice of law disputes, and other aspects of travel law. She has wide experience of substantial claims resulting from holiday incidents, including activity and accommodation accidents, winter sports accidents, illness and disease claims and road traffic accidents. Recent cases include: Scales v MIB: application of Spanish law in brain injury case; Pandya v Intersalonika: brain-injury claim time-barred under Greek law; Hutchinson v Mapfre: jurisdiction issues in respect of accident in pool in Ibiza; CPAM v Whittington Hospital: recoupment of French social security benefits; Syred v PZU and HDI: application of Polish law to claims for catastrophic injuries; Cook v Virgin Media Ltd: Court of Appeal case on forum non conveniens between Scotland and England.

Marie Louise Kinsler KC specialises in private international law. She is sought after for her expertise on jurisdiction, choice of law and enforcement in a broad range of international claims. She has particular experience in insurance, travel law cases and group claims involving environmental law and human rights. Marie Louise has appeared in a number of landmark conflicts cases in the Supreme Court, including the Brownlie litigation [2021] UKSC 45, Vedanta Resources plc v Lungowe [2019] UKSC 20, Iraqi Civilians v Ministry of Defence [2016] UKSC 25 and Cox v Ergo Versicherung AG [2014] UKSC. Other notable cases include: HRH Okpabi v Royal Dutch Shell plc, Laserpoint v Prime Minister of Malta [2016], XL v AXA [2016] Lloyd’s Rep 420, Wall v Mutuelle de Poitiers [2014]. She is highly experienced in working with foreign lawyers in both English and foreign court proceedings as well as in arbitrations. Clients benefit from Marie Louise’s academic work in private international law which she has pursued alongside her practice at the Bar. In recent years this has included teaching the International Commercial Litigation course at Cambridge University with Professor Richard Fentiman KC (hon). In 2021, in recognition of her expertise on choice of law, she was appointed as the National Rapporteur for the UK and Ireland for the European Commission’s 2021 review into the application of Rome II in the Member States.

A leading personal injury specialist with particular experience of clinical negligence, industrial disease, brain damage, psychiatric injury and cycling claims. Also has considerable experience of professional negligence (especially of solicitors and surveyors), insurance work and public law/human rights.

Meghann is an experienced advocate whose practice encompasses the full spectrum of high-value and complex personal injury and travel claims. Meghann advises on catastrophic and fatal accidents arising within and outwith the jurisdiction and has detailed knowledge of claims against the MIB. Current instructions of note within Meghann’s personal injury practice include claims for occupational stress, modern slavery, claims against local authorities and those resulting in complex brain injuries, amputation and high-value fatal claims. Meghann also has expertise in large-scale group litigation and is presently instructed by the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea as junior counsel in relation to the civil claims arising out of the fire at Grenfell Tower on 14 June 2017. Meghann was appointed as a Deputy District Judge in 2019 and has been a recommended junior in Chambers and Partners since 2015 for Travel: International Personal Injury.  She is described by clients as being “absolutely brilliant” and “extremely incisive”. In her cross-border practice, Meghann regularly advises clients on complex jurisdictional disputes and conflict of laws and has a wealth of experience of fatal and catastrophic injury claims including those involving the Package Travel Regulations 1992, the Montreal Convention and the Athens Convention.

Personal injury, clinical and professional negligence, insurance and health and safety at work.

Insurance and reinsurance: coverage disputes, policy construction, fraudulent and exaggerated claims. Property damage and product liability, especially arising from fires, explosions, subsidence and floods. Construction and utilities claims. Professional negligence: particularly claims against architects, engineers, surveyors, other construction professionals and insurance brokers. International arbitration. 2TG Co-Head of Insurance, Head of Property Damage.

Niazi undertakes high-value and complex personal injury (EL/PL) and clinical negligence matters, including group litigation and inquests. He has an accompanying specialism in employment law, and is sought after in cases calling for expertise in both employer’s liability and employment litigation. His current and recent caseload features high profile, multi-million pound industrial disease, physical/sexual abuse, and bullying and harassment claims. He is frequently instructed in claims involving points of wide importance and/or at the frontier of a particular area of law. A substantial proportion of his work has a cross-border element. Recent major cases include the Huntercombe Hospitals group litigation (2023, ongoing), a test case on Employment Tribunals’ jurisdiction in disability discrimination claims, Sivaji v MoD [2021] EWCA Civ 1163, in which the Court of Appeal clarified the ‘show cause’ jurisdiction in mesothelioma claims, and the Kenyan Emergency Group Litigation (2018), the largest group action ever to have been brought against the UK government.

Nina specialises in the areas of clinical negligence and personal injury and is regularly instructed to act in high value and complex matters. Recent notable cases in the field of clinical negligence include matters involving alleged failure to diagnose and treat cauda equina syndrome, alleged failure to provide reasonable antibiotic therapy following surgery resulting in meningitis and significant brain injury, alleged hypoxic brain injury after undergoing a Whipple’s procedure, alleged failure to diagnose and treat breast cancer, alleged negligent performance of an open sigmoid colectomy procedure, alleged negligently performed hip replacement, alleged failure to diagnose and treat lung cancer, alleged delayed diagnosis of caecal cancer, lingual nerve damage arising from an allegedly negligent extraction of a wisdom tooth, failure to treat meningitis, post- operative care following pharyngeal pouch operation, alleged failures by opticians. Recent notable cases in the field of personal injury include acting for insurers in claims involving fundamental dishonesty both in the fields of road traffic and employers liability, disability, defending claims arising out of accidents on inflatable water rides, inflatable table football, ski slopes and ice skating rinks, chronic pain, accidents at work and tripping claims.

Paige’s main areas of practice are clinical negligence, personal injury, product liability and property damage. She has a particular interest in cases with complex questions of causation and quantum and those which stand at the boundary of different practice areas. Paige is an experienced advocate who regularly appears in the High Court and County Court. She is also frequently instructed to represent clients at Joint Settlement/Round Table Meetings (JSMs/RTMs) and mediations. Paige regularly advises in in complex and high-value matters and has considerable experience in handling large volumes of technical and medical expert evidence.

Rehana Azib KC has a very well-established practice in employment and personal injury litigation, especially occupational stress, harassment, and discrimination claims. She is head of the 2TG Employment Law Group and a Master of the Bench of the Inner Temple. She was named Barrister of the Year 2021 at the Inspirational Women in Law awards and named by The Lawyer in July 2019 as one of the top 3 busiest female juniors in the EAT. She is very highly regarded for her advocacy skills, with a reputation as a formidable advocate. She is an Advanced Advocacy Trainer for the Inner Temple, teaching advocacy nationally and internationally for the Inner Temple, including at the International Criminal Court and SEC International Advanced Advocacy Course. She frequently teaches cross-examination of expert witnesses. She has particular expertise in dealing with cross-over employment and personal injury claims for stress, harassment and discrimination, including discrimination in sports. She is able to successfully handle all aspects of such claims in each jurisdiction, including dealing with any estoppel issues arising from multiple proceedings. Rehana’s expertise and reputation is well-recognised. She was appointed to the Independent Panel investigating cricketer Azeem Rafiq’s allegations of race discrimination against Yorkshire County Cricket Club, completing the final report in August 2021. This has been described as “one of the most seismic to be produced in English cricket” (Independent, August 2021), and will have an impact on English cricket for years to come. She co-authored Litigating Psychiatric Injury Claims (Bloomsbury Professional) – a practitioner’s guide to dealing with psychiatric injury, harassment and discrimination claims. Rehana deals with numerous high value claims including in the High Court, EAT and the Court of Appeal. Reported cases include NAS v ESHNHST [2019] 4 WLUK, KPK v George, Alexander and Secretary of State for BEIS [2018] 1 WLUK 549 (EAT) and Yovonie v East Sussex NHS Trust [2018] EWHC 2328 (QB). Rehana has been a guest speaker on BBC World News on equality issues in the workplace and was a specialist panel speaker at the BBC’s first ever 100 Women event, which was broadcast internationally. She won the National Asian Women of Achievement Award in 2009 for Young Achiever of the Year, and was shortlisted in 2021 for the Outstanding Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion award at the Chambers UK Bar Awards. Publications: Litigating Psychiatric Injury Claims, Bloomsbury Professional 2012.

Robert has a specialist practice in two core areas: commercial and employment litigation; and clinical negligence and personal injury litigation. He frequently represents clients in trial before the High Court and has appeared in appellate courts (as sole counsel) on numerous occasions. He has particular experience in private international law group actions brought in the English courts by foreign claimants against multinational corporations (often based in Africa). Highlights of his recent and current work include: Kadie Kalma & ors v Tonkolili Iron Ore (SL) Ltd [2018] EWHC 120 (QB); and ongoing; Suetta v (1) Auld (2) MIB (ongoing); JJML Pelvic Organ Prolapse (ongoing); Optical Express litigation (ongoing); Hawkins v York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust [2017].

Roger Harris is an experienced advocate who specialises in clinical negligence and catastrophic personal injury claims. He has appeared in a number of the leading cases relating to vicarious liability for intentional torts, including the Supreme Court case of Mohamud v WM Morrison Supermarkets PLC. He has a particular specialism in cases involving the Animals Act and farming matters generally and appeared recently in the important case of Dennis v Voute Sales Ltd. He is regularly instructed on behalf of leading racehorse trainers. His clinical negligence practice includes a particular focus on secondary victim claims, issues relating to consent and oncology claims. He has previously been shortlisted for the Chambers and Partners ‘Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence Junior of the Year’. He is Head of the 2 Temple Gardens Common Law Group.

Sam’s main areas of practice are clinical negligence, product liability and employment. He also has expertise in dealing with issues of private international law. Sam is an experienced advocate who is frequently instructed in substantial matters, both as sole counsel and as part of a team.

Clinical negligence, conducting civil proceedings for claimants and defendants. High Court cases include A v University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHST [2015] EWHC 366 QB: assessment of damages in case of cerebral palsy of maximum severity; Reeve v Heart of England NHST [24.05.2011]: cerebral palsy claim. Registrar’s attendance delayed as busy in theatre with another patient; Smithers v Taunton & Somerset NHST [2004] EWHC 1179: (with Stephen Miller KC: obstetric emergency where clinicians inextricably occupied with alternative procedure); Rashid v Essex Rivers Healthcare NHST [2004] EWHC 1338: (no liability for Erbs palsy in posterior shoulder). Before taking Silk in 2008 Sarah presented cases regularly on behalf of the General Dental Council and the General Medical Council and conducted several of the leading cases in the Privy Council on behalf of the GMC/GDC, in particular: Silver v General Medical Council [2003] UKPC 33 (test for serious professional misconduct); Crabbie v General Medical Council [2002] UKPC 45: (correct approach by Professional Conduct Committee to applications to refer to Health Committee); Dad v General Dental Council [2000] 1 WLR 1538: (principles applicable to conviction cases).

Sonia took silk in 2023, having long been recommended as a leading junior in Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500. She is an experienced commercial dispute practitioner specialising in insurance, professional negligence and property damage. The directories have described her as an “an impressive advocate” who is “forensic, sensible and pragmatic,” is “really collaborative” and “understands the key drivers for clients in terms of commercial awareness.” Sonia is equally at home whether leading or performing her role in a team, acting as advocate and negotiator, and advising clients on sensitive issues and tough tactical decisions. Her focus is always on helping clients to identify and achieve their best commercial, professional and personal outcomes, both in and beyond litigation. Sonia has been involved in a succession of high-profile cases, up to and including the Supreme Court. Over the years she has litigated damage claims of all kinds involving product liability, domestic and commercial fires, explosions, floods, collapses, subsidence, landslips, and claims involving arson and defective design, products and working methods. She has developed a significant practice in nuisances arising from the spread of fire, escape of dangerous substances, and those involving loss of amenity, business interruption and financial loss. She has litigated many damage claims with a real property element, such as interference with easements, trespass and reinstatement/insurance issues between landlord and tenant. Sonia has a lively commercial litigation practice, and has been instructed in numerous commercial disputes, including arbitral proceedings, raising issues including: employee or director fraud; breach of fiduciary duty, breach of trust, knowing receipt, dishonest assistance, conspiracy, conversion and receipt of bribes; the construction and validity of contracts, including penalty, liquidated damage, evergreen and insolvency clauses; construction of joint venture agreements and of letters of credit; undue influence and capacity issues; directors’ duties, partnership disputes and shareholder disputes. Her insurance practice includes coverage issues, policy construction, fraudulent/exaggerated claims, with a particular expertise in life/health insurance. Professional negligence is usually related to her other fields of expertise and comprises claims against insurance brokers, legal professionals and construction professionals. Sonia is a Barrister Governing Bencher of the Inner Temple, acts as its Senior Bench Auditor and is Chair of its Finance Committee. In this role she has oversight of the finances of all 9 of the Inn’s departments. She has served on the Inn’s Executive Committee for more than a decade, acquiring considerable experience of the corporate governance of an organisation which is both a large members’ association and a commercial landlord in the City of London.

Junior

Tim specialises in commercial disputes and arbitrations, with particular knowledge and experience across a number of industry sectors, particularly in financial services, insurance and reinsurance, building and construction, and energy. Tim’s practice encompasses various areas of specialist commercial law including expertise in commercial fraud, private international law, international trade and professional negligence. Many of Tim’s cases have an international element, and he has notable familiarity with disputes in and concerning the Middle East.

Tom Fairclough is a barrister with a broad practice and particular expertise in cross-border disputes. He works as both led and sole counsel. Tom acts for both Claimants and Defendants in a wide range of cross-border and domestic work and is happy to act on a CFA. Tom has particular experience of complicated product liability litigation, and is currently acting in group litigation arising out of allegations of ‘defeat devices’ affecting vehicle performance (led by Charles Dougherty KC) and litigation against manufacturers arising out of the Grenfell Tower fire (led by David Turner KC, Clare Dixon KC, and Isabel Barter).

Barrister

Will specialises is commercial law, insurance law, and civil fraud. His experience spans a number of industry sectors both domestically and internationally: manufacturing and logistics, technology, energy, insurance and reinsurance, construction and development, financial services, and sport. Will’s commercial practice deals with a wide range of litigation and arbitration (increasingly with international and cross border elements) concerning general commercial and contractual disputes, director / shareholder (including s.994 petitions) and partner disputes, employment disputes (particularly restrictive covenants and misappropriation of confidential information), professional negligence and sports disputes. Will’s insurance practice is split equally between advising and acting in subrogated recovery claims, and advising and acting on issues of coverage, joint insurance, contribution and non-disclosure. Across both his commercial and insurance practices, Will is highly sought after by clients for claims containing allegations of fraud and where applications for urgent injunctive relief are required to be made / resisted including applications for freezing orders (domestic and worldwide); search orders; imaging orders; prohibitory and springboard injunctions; and Norwich Pharmacal orders. In addition, Will has a specialist and thriving sports law practice, and is one of the few individual barristers regularly instructed by major UK and international sports governing bodies on a variety of high-profile matters across a number of different sports including motorsports, football, rugby, and cricket.