![Simon Readhead KC](/cdn-cgi/image/width=256/https://www.legal500.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2022/10/Simon-Readhead-QC-web-large.png)
‘Simon is very collaborative and his attention to detail is second-to-none. He is extremely diligent and thorough.’
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
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
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 is very collaborative and his attention to detail is second-to-none. He is extremely diligent and thorough.’
‘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.'
- 'He is insightful, analytical and is exceptional in being able to cut through the evidence to understand the crux of the claim.'
‘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's fierce intelligence combined with his careful and thorough preparation and forensic attention to detail results in outstanding outcomes for clients.'
‘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.'
‘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
'A superb technical lawyer with a strong advocacy style and willing to take a risk on difficult cases.'
‘Her all-round skill set is among the best. Excellent at the law, drafting statements of case and with witnesses.’
2024 Silks
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.
‘Excellent advocacy and written and speaking skills, deployed in resolution of complex and high-value claims.’
‘Lisa is a very impressive barrister and advocate, a rising star. She is thorough, personable and a pleasure to work with.'
‘Angus has the ability to cut through the complexities of cases and provide well-reasoned and succinct advice to his clients.’
- 'Helen is extremely thorough. Her attention to detail is exemplary and her ability to see through to the key medical issues is very impressive.'
‘Excellent analytical skills - a very good advocate who makes her points succinctly and with real clarity and force.'
‘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.’
- 'Francesca is formidable. She is on top of the issues straight away, is easily contactable and handles matters with sensitivity and care.'
‘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 is a good advocate with meticulous attention to detail and is able to put forward a clear, well-reasoned argument.'
‘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 is a fantastic barrister. She is detailed in her approach and understands complex medical issues easily.’
‘Hugh is a dream to work with. He is great with clients and a strong advocate.'
'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 has an incredible grasp of the intricate details of a case and gets straight to the heart of the subject matter.'
‘Acute attention to detail along with excellent analysis and understanding of complex medical evidence.'
‘Very personable, on top of his brief, and very practical and realistic in his approach.'
'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 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.
‘Excellent advocacy and written and speaking skills, deployed in resolution of complex and high-value claims.’
‘Lisa is a very impressive barrister and advocate, a rising star. She is thorough, personable and a pleasure to work with.'
‘Angus has the ability to cut through the complexities of cases and provide well-reasoned and succinct advice to his clients.’
- 'Helen is extremely thorough. Her attention to detail is exemplary and her ability to see through to the key medical issues is very impressive.'
‘Excellent analytical skills - a very good advocate who makes her points succinctly and with real clarity and force.'
‘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.’
- 'Francesca is formidable. She is on top of the issues straight away, is easily contactable and handles matters with sensitivity and care.'
‘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 is a good advocate with meticulous attention to detail and is able to put forward a clear, well-reasoned argument.'
‘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 is a fantastic barrister. She is detailed in her approach and understands complex medical issues easily.’
‘Hugh is a dream to work with. He is great with clients and a strong advocate.'
'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 has an incredible grasp of the intricate details of a case and gets straight to the heart of the subject matter.'
‘Acute attention to detail along with excellent analysis and understanding of complex medical evidence.'
‘Very personable, on top of his brief, and very practical and realistic in his approach.'
'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 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.'