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Deka Chambers

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Launched in October 2022 by the merger of 9 Gough Chambers and 1 Chancery Lane, Deka Chambers ‘has huge strength-in-depth from its silks to its juniors’ – bringing together the claimant and defendant-side strengths of both sets. Edward Bishop KC has notable experience in birth injury claims - he acted for the defendant in ZXB v UCL Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, a maximum severity birth injury claim involving issues of breach of duty, causation and material contribution. Laura Johnson KC  has involvement in the case of Paul v Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, representing the claimants whose father died following negligent failure to identify his heart problems – the cases touching on issues of case law, dating back to the wake of the Hillsborough disaster, on psychiatric injuries caused by witnessing injuries caused by negligence. Simon Readhead KC specialises in claims involving catastrophic neurological injuries, and turning to the set's juniors Laura Begley is a nother notable name, with experience in claims from negligent spinal surgery to injuries in vulnerable clients with pre-existing issues.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The clerks are great to deal with. Michael Goodridge is particularly helpful and always on the ball.'
  • 'The clerks room is excellent, brilliantly led by Michael Goodridge. Ellie Brand is also absolutely excellent.'
  • 'Deka Chambers has a plethora of knowledgeable barristers covering a wide range of case types/issues. There is always somebody that can help.' 
  • 'Deka Chambers has huge strength-in-depth from its silks to its juniors. They are helpful and happy to contribute to discussion and training and to share helpful tips on cases.' 
  • 'Exceptional clerks - the best in the business.'

Silks

Leading Silks

KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.

Simon Readhead KC1

Simon Readhead KC

Hall of fameDeka Chambers

‘Simon is very collaborative and his attention to detail is second-to-none. He is extremely diligent and thorough.’

Edward Bishop KC2

Edward Bishop KC

Hall of fameDeka Chambers

‘Edward's highly intelligent and thoughtful approach to litigation in this difficult area of law makes him the first choice when seeking to challenge legal points or take an innovative approach to quantum. He is an eloquent and persuasive advocate at the top of his field.'

2

Lord Faulks KC

Hall of fameDeka Chambers

- 'He is insightful, analytical and is exceptional in being able to cut through the evidence to understand the crux of the claim.'

Jacob Levy KC3

Jacob Levy KC

Hall of fameDeka Chambers

‘His knowledge of the law and tactical approach cannot be matched, one of best claimant counsel in the UK. A clear, prepared, brilliant advocate who you can rely upon to fight your client's corner.'

Stuart McKechnie KC3

Stuart McKechnie KC

Hall of fameDeka Chambers

‘Stuart's fierce intelligence combined with his careful and thorough preparation and forensic attention to detail results in outstanding outcomes for clients.'

Giles Mooney KC4

Giles Mooney KC

Hall of fameDeka Chambers

‘Giles inspires great confidence on the most difficult of cases. He fights hard on the difficult cases, always has a positive approach and is great with the clients.'

4

Grahame Aldous KC

Hall of fameDeka Chambers

‘Grahame commands the room, he is unflappable. He is an extremely skilled advocate who is passionate about his work. He shows a great deal of empathy and compassion to clients.'

2022 Silks

Laura Johnson KC

Deka Chambers

 ‘Her all-round skill set is among the best. Excellent at the law, drafting statements of case and with witnesses.’

Juniors

Leading Juniors

Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.

Laura Begley1

Laura Begley

Deka Chambers

‘Excellent advocacy and written and speaking skills, deployed in resolution of complex and high-value claims.’ 

3

Lisa Dobie

Deka Chambers

‘Lisa is a very impressive barrister and advocate, a rising star. She is thorough, personable and a pleasure to work with.'

3

Angus Piper

Deka Chambers

‘Angus has the ability to cut through the complexities of cases and provide well-reasoned and succinct advice to his clients.’

Helen Pooley3

Helen Pooley

Deka Chambers

- 'Helen is extremely thorough. Her attention to detail is exemplary and her ability to see through to the key medical issues is very impressive.' 

Holly Tibbitts3

Holly Tibbitts

Deka Chambers

‘Excellent analytical skills - a very good advocate who makes her points succinctly and with real clarity and force.' 

3

Simon Trigger

Deka Chambers

‘Simon is extremely helpful, approachable, and is able to turn round instructions within a good timeframe. Clients like him as he is friendly and down-to-earth.’

3

Francesca O'Neill

Deka Chambers

- 'Francesca is formidable. She is on top of the issues straight away, is easily contactable and handles matters with sensitivity and care.'

Jeremy Crowther4

Jeremy Crowther

Deka Chambers

 ‘Jeremy is clear and concise with his advice. He is very thorough, yet is able to identify the issues in a case simply and advise on a clear way forward.' 

Adam Dawson4

Adam Dawson

Deka Chambers

 ‘Adam is a good advocate with meticulous attention to detail and is able to put forward a clear, well-reasoned argument.'

Laura Elfield4

Laura Elfield

Deka Chambers

 ‘Laura has an exceptional eye for detail and her drafting and advocacy skills are first-class. She displays a forensic approach to the medical evidence and is excellent with experts in conference.’

Perrin Gibbons4

Perrin Gibbons

Deka Chambers

– ‘Perrin is a fantastic barrister. She is detailed in her approach and understands complex medical issues easily.’

Benedict Rodgers4

Benedict Rodgers

Deka Chambers

 'Ben is highly professional in his approach. He is tactically astute and knowledgeable, presents a calm persona, and is ever-ready to assist in a generous fashion.'

Dominique Smith4

Dominique Smith

Deka Chambers

 ‘Dominique has an incredible grasp of the intricate details of a case and gets straight to the heart of the subject matter.'

Abigail Stamp4

Abigail Stamp

Deka Chambers

 ‘Acute attention to detail along with excellent analysis and understanding of complex medical evidence.'

Gurion Taussig4

Gurion Taussig

Deka Chambers

 'Gurion is quite simply an exceptional barrister. His attention to detail is excellent and he couples this with significant experience and expertise in clinical negligence matters.'

David Thomson4

David Thomson

Deka Chambers

- 'David is excellent. His previous medical training, attention to detail and forensic approach to the medical records, witness statements and expert evidence make him a real asset particularly in cases that are complicated on either the evidence or the medicine.'

Leading Juniors

Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.

Laura Begley1

Laura Begley

Deka Chambers

‘Excellent advocacy and written and speaking skills, deployed in resolution of complex and high-value claims.’ 

3

Lisa Dobie

Deka Chambers

‘Lisa is a very impressive barrister and advocate, a rising star. She is thorough, personable and a pleasure to work with.'

3

Angus Piper

Deka Chambers

‘Angus has the ability to cut through the complexities of cases and provide well-reasoned and succinct advice to his clients.’

Helen Pooley3

Helen Pooley

Deka Chambers

- 'Helen is extremely thorough. Her attention to detail is exemplary and her ability to see through to the key medical issues is very impressive.' 

Holly Tibbitts3

Holly Tibbitts

Deka Chambers

‘Excellent analytical skills - a very good advocate who makes her points succinctly and with real clarity and force.' 

3

Simon Trigger

Deka Chambers

‘Simon is extremely helpful, approachable, and is able to turn round instructions within a good timeframe. Clients like him as he is friendly and down-to-earth.’

3

Francesca O'Neill

Deka Chambers

- 'Francesca is formidable. She is on top of the issues straight away, is easily contactable and handles matters with sensitivity and care.'

Jeremy Crowther4

Jeremy Crowther

Deka Chambers

 ‘Jeremy is clear and concise with his advice. He is very thorough, yet is able to identify the issues in a case simply and advise on a clear way forward.' 

Adam Dawson4

Adam Dawson

Deka Chambers

 ‘Adam is a good advocate with meticulous attention to detail and is able to put forward a clear, well-reasoned argument.'

Laura Elfield4

Laura Elfield

Deka Chambers

 ‘Laura has an exceptional eye for detail and her drafting and advocacy skills are first-class. She displays a forensic approach to the medical evidence and is excellent with experts in conference.’

Perrin Gibbons4

Perrin Gibbons

Deka Chambers

– ‘Perrin is a fantastic barrister. She is detailed in her approach and understands complex medical issues easily.’

Benedict Rodgers4

Benedict Rodgers

Deka Chambers

 'Ben is highly professional in his approach. He is tactically astute and knowledgeable, presents a calm persona, and is ever-ready to assist in a generous fashion.'

Dominique Smith4

Dominique Smith

Deka Chambers

 ‘Dominique has an incredible grasp of the intricate details of a case and gets straight to the heart of the subject matter.'

Abigail Stamp4

Abigail Stamp

Deka Chambers

 ‘Acute attention to detail along with excellent analysis and understanding of complex medical evidence.'

Gurion Taussig4

Gurion Taussig

Deka Chambers

 'Gurion is quite simply an exceptional barrister. His attention to detail is excellent and he couples this with significant experience and expertise in clinical negligence matters.'

David Thomson4

David Thomson

Deka Chambers

- 'David is excellent. His previous medical training, attention to detail and forensic approach to the medical records, witness statements and expert evidence make him a real asset particularly in cases that are complicated on either the evidence or the medicine.'