1Hall of fameExchange Chambers
'Bill has an excellent grasp of the practicalities of living with disabilities. He is very assured in settlement negotiations and has an excellent rapport with clients.'
The Bar - Regional Bar • Northern Circuit
Exchange Chambers
Exchange Chambers has ‘a strength and depth of knowledge which is unrivalled.’ Its clinical negligence team acts for a range of private and publicly funded claimants, as well as defendants that include hospitals, NHS organisations, medical defence organisations, and insurance bodies. Head of chambers Bill Braithwaite KC represents claimants exclusively, and he handles cases involving catastrophic brain and spinal injuries. David Knifton KC represents claimants in cases stemming from high-value obstetric injuries, failures or delays in diagnosis and consent issues, and claims against alternative medical practitioners. Christopher Barnes KC has a specialism in military-related clinical negligence claims. The set is also home to Kevin Naylor, whose practice benefits hugely from his previous experience as a doctor, and Matthew Stockwell is another key name of note, focusing exclusively on brain, spinal, and other life-changing injuries.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Neil Wright, Rachel Williams, and Sarah Rotherham are all excellent. They are very responsive and always willing to find a workaround and accommodate requests.'
- 'Leigh Daniels is a very approachable and accommodating clerk.'
- 'Leigh Daniels is extremely efficient, friendly, and helpful, and always acknowledges instructions or requests promptly. It always feels as if nothing is too much trouble for him.'
- 'Leigh Daniels is exceptional in his efficiency, organisational skills, and approachability. He responds with lightning speed to all emails and enquiries.'
- 'Neil Wright is an exceptional clerk with fantastic knowledge.'
- 'Exchange Chambers are the complete set of barrister's chambers for clinical negligence work. They also have impressive training programmes in clinical negligence claims.'
- 'This is an impressively strong set. They have a strength and depth of knowledge which is unrivalled.'
- 'Exchange Chambers is highly rated. The barristers are technically excellent and are very personable, and the chambers offer excellent, high-quality training.'
- 'Exchange Chambers are a go-to set, the barristers are highly skilled and personable, and they are always happy to discuss matters informally and offer quick opinions and advice, which is extremely helpful.'
- 'Exchange Chambers is excellent; good location, great availability, and fantastic annual training by junior barristers and Silks.'
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.
1
2Hall of fameExchange Chambers
‘David is an excellent barrister who is always prepared for a fight. He is a great advocate who has the confidence to cross-examine and also to challenge defendants on difficult points, and he is the first port of call for a difficult case.'
2Hall of fameExchange Chambers
'Gerard can deal with complex, high-value cases and he is very good with clients.'
2022 Silks
Exchange Chambers
‘Christopher is the barrister of choice in catastrophic injury claims, brain injury claims, and clinical negligence. He has a great rapport with clients and their families, he is methodical, and he has has the ability to simplify the most complex issue and area of law and medicine.'
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.
1Exchange Chambers
‘Chris is a highly intelligent and skilled barrister whose preparation is detailed and analysis of the law and the facts is thorough. He maintains a very personable manner with solicitors and clients alike, and is rightly in demand for high-value clinical negligence cases.'
1Exchange Chambers
‘Kevin’s background of medical knowledge is a true asset, having previously practiced as a medical professional. He tackles complex, high-value medical negligence cases with confidence, stoicism, and ease. He always has a clear vision as to how to structure the case and guide the clients throughout the medico-legal process, and experts thoroughly enjoy working with him and perceive him as a relatable, high-calibre barrister.’
1Exchange Chambers
‘Matthew is strong in achieving outstanding outcomes for his clients. His approach to clients is sympathetic yet practical in seeing a way through very complex issues.'
2Exchange Chambers
'Sara is extremely reliable and safe pair of hands. She is able to turn round work really quickly and has a great ability to connect with all clients regardless of the trauma that they have suffered.'
Exchange Chambers
‘Christian is clear and considered in his approach with the court, clients, and solicitors. He is approachable and empathetic, and he uses his considerable knowledge of the law and process to act as adversary or collaborator as is appropriate, representing the facts of a case and using the law to argue the best possible outcome.’
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.
1Exchange Chambers
‘Chris is a highly intelligent and skilled barrister whose preparation is detailed and analysis of the law and the facts is thorough. He maintains a very personable manner with solicitors and clients alike, and is rightly in demand for high-value clinical negligence cases.'
1Exchange Chambers
‘Kevin’s background of medical knowledge is a true asset, having previously practiced as a medical professional. He tackles complex, high-value medical negligence cases with confidence, stoicism, and ease. He always has a clear vision as to how to structure the case and guide the clients throughout the medico-legal process, and experts thoroughly enjoy working with him and perceive him as a relatable, high-calibre barrister.’
1Exchange Chambers
‘Matthew is strong in achieving outstanding outcomes for his clients. His approach to clients is sympathetic yet practical in seeing a way through very complex issues.'
2Exchange Chambers
'Sara is extremely reliable and safe pair of hands. She is able to turn round work really quickly and has a great ability to connect with all clients regardless of the trauma that they have suffered.'
Exchange Chambers
‘Christian is clear and considered in his approach with the court, clients, and solicitors. He is approachable and empathetic, and he uses his considerable knowledge of the law and process to act as adversary or collaborator as is appropriate, representing the facts of a case and using the law to argue the best possible outcome.’