Clinical Negligence

Members of Chambers have a very established reputation in this field. We act for claimants and defendants including doctors, health authorities, defence organisations and private individuals.  We work hard for our clients and are very committed and approachable.  Our clerks have particular expertise in clinical negligence matters and are renowned for their honesty and integrity.

We offer expertise at every level with four silks and several juniors recommended in the directories.  Chambers & Partners 2013 says the following about Chambers' Clinical Negligence practice: "The old guard here continues to impress, and in terms of reputation is rapidly being caught up by the next generation of juniors at the set. All bodes well for a chambers that further impresses solicitors with the provision of helpful workshops, quarterly briefings and e-bulletins informing them of developments in the law." We are also recommended as a leading set at the Clinical Negligence Bar by The Legal 500. 

There is considerable experience in Chambers of large, multi-party actions such as those involving organ retention, cervical screening, human growth hormone, cardiac surgery and HIV/haemophilia. We also act in individual cases, particularly those concerning catastrophic injuries acquired at or around the time of birth. We have also been involved in claims arising from mental illness.

With increasing emphasis on detailed financial calculations, we pride ourselves on familiarity with the latest developments in the accurate assessment of damages.

Chambers not only has expertise in clinical negligence litigation but also considerable experience of inquests, inquiries, GMC and GDC regulatory cases and many professional disciplinary tribunals.

Several members of Chambers have been involved in many of the leading clinical negligence cases.  Some recent examples are: R (Tracey) v Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust & Anor QBD (Admin) (Nicola Davies J) 21/12/2012, Peters v East Midland Strategic Health Authority & Anor [2009] EWCA Civ 145, Savage v South Essex Partnership NHS Foundation [2008] UKHL 74, D v East Berkshire [2005] 2AC 373, Phelps v Hillingdon LBC [2001] 2AC 619 and Penney, Palmer and Cannon v East Kent HA [2000] Lloyds Rep 41.

Our Clinical Negligence Group produces quarterly briefings on recent cases of interest, hot topics and developments in the field.  Copies can be obtained from the briefings section of this website.  We also edit the blog www.piblawg.co.uk (a joint endeavour with piCalculator) to which members of our Clinical Negligence and Personal Injury Groups contribute on at least a weekly basis. 

The Head of the Clinical Negligence Group is David Thomson (dthomson@1chancerylane.com) and our Business Manager is Genevieve Quierin (gquierin@1chancerylane.com).  David and Genevieve are happy to receive any enquiries you may have.  Alternatively, email us at clinneg@1chancerylane.com or phone the clerks room if you require any further information about our work in this area or if you would like to be added to our clinical negligence mailing list.

Clinical Negligence Group Members

Lord Faulks QC, Simon Readhead QC, Edward Bishop QC, Andrew Warnock QC, Nicholas Yell, Angus Piper, Paul Stagg, Dr David Thomson, Sophie Mortimer, Simon Trigger, Simon Murray, Laura Johnson, Ben Hicks, Saleem Khalid, Jack Harding, Andrew Spencer, Ian Clarke, Lisa Dobie, Roderick Abbott, Rebecca Grant, Frances McClenaghan, Thomas Crockett, Tom Collins, Rhiannon Lewis.