Navjot Atwal

Navjot Atwal is a highly experienced practitioner with a strong reputation in travel litigation and complex personal injury claims arising out of accidents occurring domestically and abroad. He has acted in a number of serious and high value cases (at all court levels) and regularly appears on his own against leading counsel.

Navjot is recognised in the legal directories (both Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500) as a leading junior in travel litigation. He is regularly instructed by major tour operators to defend claims under the Package Travel Regulations and common law. He has particular expertise when it comes to advising on issues relating to the scope of the Regulations, locally applicable standards, excursions and contractual recovery actions by tour operators.

Navjot regularly advises and acts for claimants and defendant insurers in significant cases involving public, employers’ and motor liability (including indemnity issues) arising out of severe and catastrophic injuries as well as fatal accident claims. Navjot has considerable experience of cross border claims involving issues of foreign law and in cases where issues of jurisdiction and conflict of laws arise. He frequently acts in claims involving foreign domiciled defendants, overseas insurers and the MIB in relation to accidents abroad. He has particular experience of claims in respect of the Judgments Regulation and Rome II.

Navjot is regularly instructed by air carriers and cruise operators in relation to claims brought under the international carriage conventions (Warsaw, Montreal and Athens Conventions). He has been involved in a broad range of cases involving accidents during embarkation and disembarkation, cases of sexual assault and race discrimination. He recently successfully defended a major airline accused of race discrimination by a large number of passengers during a flight from Jamaica. He is currently acting for the insurer of a well-known cruise company in defending a claim arising out of the death of a passenger on board. He regularly appears in the Admiralty Court.

He has been commended in the directories for his commercial approach to cases and his effective and robust advocacy in court.

International & Travel

Navjot is regularly instructed on behalf of major tour operators, airlines and cruise operators in respect of accidents abroad. He advises on jurisdictional questions, foreign law and local standards, upon package travel claims and upon liability under the Athens and Montreal conventions. Several of his cases have been reported upon in the national press.

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Personal Injury

Navjot acts for both claimants and defendant insurers in high value personal injury claims involving employers’ liability, occupiers’ liability and road traffic accidents. He regularly appears at CCMCs, interlocutory hearings and multi-track trials in the County Court and High Court. He is experienced in serious cases involving amputations, head injury, chronic pain syndromes and spinal/paralysis injuries. Navjot has expertise in claims involving fundamental dishonesty and strategies to be deployed in defeating dishonest claims.

Navjot has particular experience in a wide variety of psychiatric injury claims, including those arising out of psychological trauma and stress at work claims in the workforce.

He has specific experience of defending large value and complex claims for occupational stress, harassment, overwork and claims for discrimination arising in the workplace. Navjot is experienced in defending large organisations and government bodies in these document heavy and fact sensitive claims.

He is also experienced in dealing with injuries/fatalities involving construction sites and is well versed in the CDM Regulations 2015 and general codes of practice and construction standards. He has been involved in numerous contribution/indemnity cases between contractors.

Navjot takes great care in ensuring an efficient and thorough turnaround of paperwork. His written work covers all aspects of drafting and advisory work including detailed schedules and counter-schedules of loss. He has a commercial background and has particular expertise in cases involving forensic accountancy evidence and large claims for loss of earnings based on partnership and company losses. Navjot regularly acts for clients in round table meetings and mediations. He is known for his firm and robust approach in settlement negotiations.

 

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Inquests

Navjot was formerly on the Attorney General’s panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown and has particular experience of representing various government departments at Article 2 inquests. He also has extensive experience of representing insurers (and their insured) at inquests arising out of road traffic accidents and accidents at work.

Navjot has represented interested parties in both jury and coroner-only hearings and is particularly adept at ensuring his client’s interests are properly protected at pre-inquest hearings and advising on the disclosure process. He has specific experience of cases involving deaths in custody (both within the prison and immigration systems) and welcomes instructions in suitable cases from families and interested persons alike.

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Public authorities/abuse claims

Navjot has particular experience of claims against local authorities and government departments arising out of historic allegations of abuse and sexual assault. He has previously represented government departments in defending such claims (including the MoD, Prison Service and Border Force) and is well-versed in common issues arising in such claims including limitation, vicarious liability, disclosure/duty of candour and specific issues arising under the Human Rights Act. Navjot was formerly on the Attorney General’s Panel of Counsel and is therefore well-placed to advise on these issues in the private law sphere having regularly dealt with claims involving serious allegations of false imprisonment, excessive use of force and sexual/physical claims of abuse.

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Previous experience

Before joining chambers, Navjot practiced at 3 Hare Court for some 20 years with a broad civil and commercial practice.

Before joining the Bar, Navjot worked as an intern at the European Commission in Brussels and as a researcher at the House of Commons.

 

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Membership

  • ChBA (Chancery Bar Association)
  • London Common Law & Commercial Bar Association (LCLCBA)
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Education

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Awards & Scholarships

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"Navjot is quick at digesting complex and detailed information." "His analytical qualities are impressive." "Navjot's expertise in travel-related claims is extensive."

Chambers & Partners, 2023

"Navjot is extremely down to earth, approachable and very knowledgeable on the Package Travel Regulations. His strategic approach to claims is second to none, and his attention to detail is utterly brilliant, particularly his ability to effortlessly dissect and review complex cases at short notice. He's also extremely reliable, dependable and has a great rapport with clients.

Chambers & Partners, 2022

He is exceptionally thorough, very commercially minded, and always fights his client’s corner.

Legal 500, 2021