Personal injury

Deka Chambers

Deka Chambers is noted for its ‘excellent breadth and depth of knowledge’, routinely representing claimants and defendants in appellate level proceedings involving high-profile polytrauma and psychiatric injury litigation. The practitioners are also noted as an ’excellent chambers in terms of travel and cross-border personal injury litigation’, holding extensive expertise in cases with an international component. This is evident in Matthew Chapman KC‘s caseload, which includes cases such as Alli-Balogun v Mapfre & Others, a litigation arising from a near-drowning incident in a Spanish swimming pool where liability is in contention. Paul Stagg KC is an active operator in the team’s most high-profile dispute, such as HXA v Surrey County Council and YXA v Wolverhampton City Council, both ongoing cases that reached the Supreme Court regarding the issue of liability of local authorities for child abuse committed by parents that could have been prevented by taking a child into care.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'An excellent breadth and depth of knowledge as well as skill set strengthened by the merger between the sets.'
'Clerks are efficient and responsive'
'Excellent chambers in terms of Travel and Cross Border Personal Injury Litigation. A really good range of barristers across all levels of call undertaking this work.'
'Deka is a leading set in all personal injury matters, and particularly travel PI cases. If Deka are approached, it is likely that they will be able to help, and provide an outstanding service.'
'Some excellent barristers and very organised and client focused clerks. Clark in particular is first rate and pleasure to work with. '
'The number one, go-to, travel law set with real strength in depth from top to bottom.'
'Exceptional clerks room. Very personable, and outstanding client service.'
'Deka Chambers has an impressive offering of highly specialist counsel practising in the field of defendant personal injury.'

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.

Jacob Levy KC

Deka Chambers

'Jacob is the most diligent barrister in the industry, who will never let his clients down. He brings total confidence to the legal team. He is remarkably comprehensive, while remaining pragmatic and efficient. His analysis of expert evidence and grasp of complex issues is second to none.'

Matthew Chapman KC

Deka Chambers

‘Matt can offer solutions to complicated matters, or arguments where solutions are not possible. He is excellent in a JSM, keeping his cards close to his chest, and making concessions when necessary.’

Stuart McKechnie KC

Deka Chambers

‘Stuart is a dream to work with. He is utterly committed to each and every case he takes on. His preparation for each and every case is astonishing and he helps add value in all cases.’

Andrew Warnock KC

Deka Chambers

‘Attention to detail, calm and measured responses, incisive cross examination taking into account vulnerabilities of parties and witnesses, excellent knowledge of complex legal issues.’

Giles Mooney KC

Deka Chambers

‘Giles is a great in court and fantastic with clients. His cross-examination is hugely effective and gets results.'

Edward Bishop KC

Deka Chambers

‘Totally unflappable and highly intelligent.’

John Ross KC

Deka Chambers

‘Never fails to get right to the issues in a case. Very good on paper as well as in conference and in court. Always content to roll up his sleeves such that you feel he is truly invested in the matter. Inspires huge confidence with clients.’

Grahame Aldous

Deka Chambers

‘He is an excellent advocate, and a sensible and reasonable opponent.’

‘Laura has an incredible legal knowledge of her subject area which she astutely applies to some of the most complex personal injury cases that she is instructed on.’

2023 Silks

Sarah Prager KC

Deka Chambers

‘A formidable barrister. Incredibly knowledgeable. Not afraid to take on difficult cases. Excellent with clients.’

2024 Silks

Edward Lamb KC

Deka Chambers

‘He is an excellent advocate, and a sensible and reasonable opponent.’

Paul Stagg KC

Deka Chambers

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.

‘Jeremy builds up solid relationships with the clients and is able to have difficult, firm discussions and get results.’

Bruce Silvester

Deka Chambers

‘Forensic, analytical and a commanding presence in court. Easily a match for the most experienced and high profile KCs working in this field.’

Simon Brindle

Deka Chambers

‘Very knowledgeable, powerful in conference with experts and clients alike.’

Stephen Glynn

Deka Chambers

‘Stephen is very quick to respond and to get to grips with cases. He is prepared to take on riskier cases. He is approachable. He is good on quantum assessment and a very clear and persuasive advocate.’

Adam Dawson

Deka Chambers

‘Adam is very responsive and client friendly. He adopts a pragmatic and sensible approach.'

Perrin Gibbons

Deka Chambers

‘Very versatile - excellent with clients, clear advice and easy to deal with.’

Andrew Spencer

Deka Chambers

‘Andrew is very clever, articulate and easy to work with.’

Christopher Stephenson

Deka Chambers

‘Chris is very hard working and will always identify the key issues in a case and set out a plan as to how to resolve them. He is also very personable and has a good manner with clients.’

James Byrne

Deka Chambers

‘James is always looking for an innovative approach. Very hard-working, he really goes that extra mile for his clients.’

Thomas Collins

Deka Chambers

'Impressive counsel, with commendable knowledge of travel law issues. He has a fantastic manner with clients.'

Lisa Dobie

Deka Chambers

‘She is so thorough and approachable. She is tenacious on her feet.’

Laura Elfield

Deka Chambers

‘Laura is an exceptional barrister who is an absolute delight to work with even on the most difficult and stressful matters. She is very experienced and extremely clever.’

Jack Harding

Deka Chambers

‘Responsive, approachable with a great depth of knowledge and understanding of this area of law. Highly experienced and very reliable.’

Roger Hiorns

Deka Chambers

‘Roger is very approachable. He has been asked to advise on liability and quantum, in conference with the client and at case management conferences.'

Robert Horner

Deka Chambers

‘Robert is an excellent barrister. He maintains a passion and curiosity in relation to his cases.'

Angus Piper

Deka Chambers

‘Angus is a formidable opponent and a very capable lawyer. He is always up on the detail of a case and his knowledge of case law and procedure is second to none.’

Helen Pooley

Deka Chambers

‘Helen is one of the best junior barristers in her field - she is a superb advocate and an excellent negotiator, who is able to explain complex legal arguments in straightforward terms.’

Holly Tibbitts

Deka Chambers

‘Holly is a measured and detail orientated barrister. She is thorough and quickly gets to grips with the documentation and issues at hand.’

Jeremy Crowther

Deka Chambers

‘An excellent advocate who is very good with lay clients - he gives good robust advice with kindness. Very experienced in workplace accident claims. Very pragmatic and achieves great results.’

Johnathan Payne

Deka Chambers

‘Johnathan is a tenacious barrister with a determination to fight for claimants. He is a superb communicator and strategist. He is a robust and persuasive advocate.’

Hugh Rimmer

Deka Chambers

‘Hugh is very knowledgeable and approachable. He is willing to fight cases that other barristers may not. His client care in conferences is always commented upon by clients.’

Gurion Taussig

Deka Chambers

‘Gurion is an exceptional barrister who is extremely versatile in dealing with any type of personal injury case.’

Esther Pounder

Deka Chambers

‘Esther has a really empathetic, patient nature with clients and does so whilst maintaining a firm grasp of lots of complex information and paying meticulous attention to detail.’

Francesca O’Neill

Deka Chambers

‘She is empathetic with clients and concise in her advice. Also quick to respond and easy to talk things through with.’

Ian Clarke

Deka Chambers

‘Responsive, good attention to detail, gravitas during advocacy.’

– ‘Linda is a highly intelligent and empathetic advocate. She has excellent communication skills with vulnerable clients and immediately establishes relationships of trust and confidence from the outset of a case.’

‘Dominique is a very analytical barrister with excellent turn around and is very organised.’

Simon Trigger

Deka Chambers

‘He is excellent at simplifying complex issues. He communicates clearly both in writing and verbally. He is also very approachable and friendly meaning he is a top choice for client conferences.'

John Schmitt

Deka Chambers

‘John is a cool, calm and collected barrister – whether it be in conference, on the phone, in writing or in court. He looks at the bigger picture, but also the microscopic details.’

Gaurang Naik

Deka Chambers

‘Gaurang is bright, experienced, and a pleasure to work with. ‘

William Dean

Deka Chambers

‘William is always well prepared in all that he does. His written advices are clear, thorough and easy to follow. His drafting of statements of case is of an excellent standard.’

Ella Davis

Deka Chambers

‘Ella is very helpful and approachable throughout with a good eye for detail.’

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.