David Platt KC
Crown Office Chambers ‘Robust and clever advocate; first class analysis of complex claims and produces advice which is clear and concise; excellent with clients.’
Fielding ‘excellent barristers at every level of call’, the personal injury offering at Crown Office Chambers broadly experienced in industrial disease litigation, workplace injuries involving corporate and public liability, along with covering high-profile brain, spinal and psychiatric injury claims. Alexander Antelme KC is currently involved in the personal injury claims around the Grenfell Tower fire, overseeing a case involving a large number of claimants with broad types of injuries and legal issues arising. In particular, psychiatric injuries and secondary victim claims, along with severe physical injuries endured by firefighters and police. Gemma Witherington is also notably representing the defendant in JFM and others v Odey, a widely-covered case involving allegations of sexual abuse against Crispin Odey, the founder of Odey Asset Management.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'This is undoubtedly a leading set. They have great strength and depth, with helpful and approachable clerks, and excellent barristers at every level of call.'
- 'Excellent Chambers - first choice for many insurer clients. They have good depth of talent across the range of counsel.'
- 'All the clerks are helpful. They are happy to listen to what exactly you require and suggest appropriate counsel.'
- 'Crown Office Chambers is a premier set of Chambers with classy counsel from top to bottom.'
- ' Excellent set for all aspects of disease work. Very personable and user friendly.'
- 'Crown Office Chambers are excellent as a high end personal injury set. '
- 'The clerks are excellent, very well led by James Wilkinson'
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.
Michael Kent KC
Crown Office Chambers ‘He is excellent. He is hugely experienced, remains claim at all times. He is tactically superb, intelligent and is always one step ahead of his opponents.’
Andrew Davis KC
Crown Office Chambers ‘Andrew is a powerhouse of a KC, with everything you expect and more. His attention to detail is second to none and he has a manner that puts clients, witnesses and experts at ease in conference.’
Alexander Antelme KC
Crown Office Chambers
Patrick Blakesley KC
Crown Office Chambers ‘Patrick is hugely knowledgeable when it comes to motor coverage matters but his expertise does not end there. He provides comprehensive but easy to follow advice with great attention to detail.’
Christopher Kennedy KC
Crown Office Chambers ‘Careful analysis of evidence, detailed and comprehensive preparation of pleadings, and helpful contribution to general strategy with particular keen appreciation for commercial considerations.’
Juniors
Personal injury - 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.
Paul Higgins
Crown Office Chambers ‘Extremely impressive in all his advocacy and written work.’
A. John Williams
Crown Office Chambers ‘John has a deep understanding of the issues, generic documents and potential defences in asbestos claims. He is very good dealing with experts and witnesses and mounts a robust cross examination.’
Shaun Ferris
Crown Office Chambers ‘Shaun is a very capable negotiator and has achieved some fantastic results. He is very personable and well liked by insurance and lay clients alike.’
Catherine Foster
Crown Office Chambers ‘Catherine is flexible and nimble. She adapts to the unfolding facts of the case always looking at the bigger picture and how to resolve matters in a pragmatic way.'
Alexander Macpherson
Crown Office Chambers ‘Alex is succinct in his advice and has the ability to navigate through complex, technical causation issues in a calm, authoritative way.’
Peter Houghton
Crown Office Chambers ‘He is strong across the board, a go-to in complex serious injury cases. He is incredibly able in complex causation cases (liability and quantum) and has real strength with marshalling experts and their evidence.’
Gemma Witherington
Crown Office Chambers ‘Gemma has a great understanding of client’s concerns and is able to build a rapport with them. She is able to tailor her advice to the fundamental issues.’
Suzanne Chalmers
Crown Office Chambers ‘Suzanne's attention to detail is exemplary. She very responsive and always alive to economic opportunities to achieve the best possible outcome for the client. ’
Rory Holmes
Crown Office Chambers ‘Rory is approachable, knowledgeable and detailed.’
Jack Macaulay
Crown Office Chambers ‘Jack is always well prepared, puts the client at ease and provides advice in a way that is easy to follow.’
Nadia Whittaker
Crown Office Chambers ‘Nadia is an excellent communicator with first rate analytical skills.’
Simon O’Dwyer
Crown Office Chambers ‘A clever yet approachable barrister. Always provides sound, pragmatic advice.'
Rosanna Hellebronth
Crown Office Chambers ‘She is courteous, professional, firm and clear. A through and persuasive advocate.’
Katie Ayres
Crown Office Chambers ‘Katie’s is always extremely well prepared before a client meeting or hearing. On her feet she is tenacious and quick.’
Helen Pagett
Crown Office Chambers ‘Adopts a pragmatic and practical approach and can be relied upon take a realistic view in terms of prospects of success and risk when dealing with any litigated case as a whole.’
Personal injury - Rising Stars
Rising stars at the Bar are defined as barristers between four and eight years’ call who are seen as up-and-coming members of the Bar in their respective practice areas by clients and peers alike. They will already be instructed in high-profile, complex, and high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, working with and opposite more experienced leading counsel.
