Annual Conference 2022

William Audland KC

William is ranked as a leading silk in the major directories in all his principal areas of practice - international and travel, personal injury, clinical negligence and sports law - and specialises in cross-border claims which combine these areas of expertise. He represents both claimants and defendants, and has a growing practice as a mediator.

Stephen Worthington KC

Stephen was described in the 2016 Chambers Directory as “one of the top silks at the Personal Injury Bar”.

His work involves very high value catastrophic injury claims principally for insurers.

He also has a particular specialism in motor insurance law for which he is considered to be one of the UK’s pre-eminent lawyers.

Stephen has worked for MIB for many years and is now one of their principal advisers on technical insurance issues.

He works for all the major insurance companies and Defendant personal injury firms.

He has been a Recorder since 2002 and he is a Bencher of Gray’s Inn.

Michael Rawlinson KC

Michael’s principal areas of practice are claims in which exposure to noxious substances are alleged to have led to long-term adverse health effects. He is instructed by victims, exposers and their insurers.

Since such claims often involve the development of cancer many years after exposure, much of his instruction requires the marshaling and presentation of very large quantities of historical documents evidencing or negativing either the fact of exposure or the guilty knowledge relating to it.

He works extensively with lawyers from other common law jurisdictions. Under this general description fall specific areas of litigation: occupational exposure to asbestos/other carcinogens and exposure to manufactured products made available to the public.

In addition he accepts a significant number of instructions each year on behalf of service personnel (or their survivors) where injury arises from service life. He is often instructed to appear at the initial fact-finding Inquest and thereafter within subsequent civil litigation. He is regularly instructed in respect of air crashes (fixed and rotary wing) and other aspects of aviation health and safety. More generally, Michael is instructed by insurers where a wider strategic interest arises out of specific litigation. He considers to be a core part of his work to regularly give talks seeking to signpost where the law of causation appears to be heading. He accepts instructions from ‘both sides’ in catastrophic head and spinal injury.

Notwithstanding the advent of 0% CFA/QOCS claims he is not risk averse where legally interesting or otherwise significant issues arise. Recent work has required him to provide advocacy arising from such diverse topics as the nature of the UK’s level of control over Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus, the system of International aviation regulation operating within the UK, the alleged effect of environmental exposure to organophosphates and the historical behaviour of manufacturers of asbestos products within the UK market.

When instructed to lead a team, he always tries to foster a collegiate approach to the litigation because he firmly believes that helps the entire team to provide maximum value to the client.

Steven Snowden KC

Steven Snowden KC is Head of Chambers at 12KBW. He is recognised in the independent legal directories as one of the leading barristers in the country in his chosen areas of work. He is ranked in band 1 for personal injury and industrial disease in both the C&P and the L500 guides and also ranked for Public Inquiries and Inquests by the Legal 500.

Steven’s main areas of practice are high-value, complex or sensitive personal injury and industrial disease cases. His practice extends to associated clinical negligence and professional negligence work, Court of Protection, insurance, sports, group litigation and public inquiries. He works for claimants and for defendants.

Steven is a very experienced trial advocate and regularly deals with substantial and complex cases in court and in settlement meetings. His current caseload includes the liability and quantum aspects of head injuries, paraplegic and other serious spinal injury cases, amputations, psychiatric injuries and fatal claims. In disease work he deals with mesothelioma and other asbestos claims, and other occupational illness claims involving difficult issues of liability, causation or quantum. He represented the largest group of the infected and affected individuals and families (1,400+ core participants) in the Infected Blood Public Inquiry.  He is instructed in the professional footballers’ concussive injury claims. He is retained to represent patients and families in the Essex Mental Health Public Inquiry.

He was the elected Chair (2020 – 2022) of the Personal Injuries Bar Association, a member of the Bar Council (2020-2022), a Director of BMIF (2022 to 2024) and has for many years been one of the authors of the Judicial College Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases.

Marcus Dignum KC

Marcus is a specialist defendant catastrophic personal injury silk, who acts for most of the large insurers in the UK defending claims predominantly in the context of RTA and EL/PL work. He also defends clinical negligence claims.

He took Silk in 2020, having been recognised as a Tier 1 Junior in Chambers & Partners and a Leading Junior in The Legal 500 for many years. He is lauded for his “robust, realistic and very personal service.” He combines “intellectual rigour, a commercial approach and great charm” to good effect on high-value catastrophic injury cases.

For many years he has dealt with claims of the highest value and has extensive experience of claims involving the most serious head and spinal injuries where awards are made or settlements reached of several million pounds.

He has particular expertise in cases involving paralysis, amputation and brain injury, including subtle brain injury.

He is much sought after as a trial advocate and was recently instructed to defend one of the largest personal injury claims ever made (£33m) over the course of a 10 day trial in the High Court.

Patrick Vincent KC

Patrick is a specialist in Insurance, Personal Injury and International/Travel law. He acts for Claimants and Defendants in insurance and policy construction disputes, complex catastrophic personal injury claims, property damage claims and cross jurisdictional litigation.

Henry F. Charles

Henry is recognised as a leading personal injury and clinical negligence practitioner.  He acts for Claimants and Defendants typically in complex and high value claims.  He has negotiated settlements as high as nearly £7,000,000.

He was awarded Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence Junior Barrister of the Year award in 2014 by Chambers & Partners.  He has appeared in their guide for many years, recommended in both personal injury and clinical negligence.  Observers have said, for example,  “I am impressed by his attention to detail and his commitment to ensure that no stone gets left unturned. He has a very agile and adaptable approach to things" and that he is “A tower of strength; he is calm in the midst of battle, knows how to read judges and is an excellent strategist”  He has also been described as "unflappable and laser-like in terms of his focus.", an "extremely safe pair of hands," and as “delightful” with both “panache and a beautiful manner". “He knows when to fight,” declare observers.

Henry encourages a team approach, he is happy to travel to see claimants and insurers alike.

Hugh Hamill

Hugh specialises in high value complex personal injury, professional negligence, clinical negligence and industrial disease and general insurance work.

Last year was another excellent year for Hugh and has seen him continuing to represent major insurers; public authorities; large corporations and seriously injured claimants in high-value claims, particularly those involving chronic pain/fibromyalgia/traumatic brain injury. Very often in these types of claims, causation is hotly disputed and issues of malingering, fraud, fundamental dishonesty and exaggeration arise.

He is known as an extremely tough negotiator both in JSM’s and in mediations and regularly delivers sensible outcomes for all parties, avoiding the costs and risks of a contested trial.

He has been listed as a Leading Junior in Personal Injury for over 20 years. In Chambers and Partners 2022, Hugh is noted for his work in cases involving fibromyalgia and brain and spinal injuries. He is particularly noted for his "courtroom prowess" and being "an extremely good negotiator and a very good advocate". "He is able to identify key issues very quickly and get to the real core of the case."

Previous editions referred to him as "bright, bold and ethical." He is praised for being a "slick and tenacious court performer" who "rolls up his sleeves and gets his hands dirty," and as a "razor sharp" advocate."

The Legal 500 recommends Hugh where there is malingering or fraud. He is ‘an excellent advocate with a no-nonsense approach to cases’.

Hugh is also responsible for the development and the supervision of Chambers I.T. network and the continued expansion of the I.T. infrastructure.

He has a very strong grasp of technical; engineering issues and a fine eye for detail.
He lives in Oxfordshire and can accept instructions at short notice either by DX or email. He is married with 2 children.

Brian McCluggage

Brian McCluggage conducts catastrophic personal injury work, predominantly in the interest of insurers. He accepts instructions in cases where the pleaded value is likely to be in excess of £500,000 and as sole counsel in cases valued at up to £15 million. Brian adopts a rigorous approach to evidential analysis and preparation (lay, expert and documentary) and enjoys working in a team with professional clients who share this philosophy.  Instructions regularly involve:

a.  Liability disputes involving technical or scientific evidence.

b.  Brain injury, from contested minor TBI to the most serious of catastrophic injury involving Minimally Conscious State.

c. Amputation, both upper and lower limb.

d. Complex fatal cases, particularly those involving business interests and accountancy evidence.

e. High value cases with the taint of fraud.

Recent cases of interest include:

JCA v. 1) CIC 2) MBD (2024): High Court, Manchester: settlement of brain injury/psychiatric case for £4.1m against Schedule of £14m as sole counsel against Silk & Junior. The primary issue in the case was the causation of a treatment-resistant severe schizophrenia – was it caused by brain injury or genetic & drug-related reasons? If brain injury related, what care regime was appropriate given dangerous and unpredictable behaviour of claimant?

Bennion v. Adventure Park Snowdonia Ltd [2023] EWHC 3334 (KB): 5-day High Court liability trial defending tragic tetraplegia case following a surfing accident in the UK’s first artificial surfing lagoon.

ABS v. LS & Esure (2023): High Court, Birmingham: settlement of devasting case involving severe brain and orthopaedic injury against a background of congenital physical issues and alcoholism. C left with cognitive deficits, limited use of right arm and aggravation of significant pre-existing knee problems. Life expectancy in issue. Settled for PPO on capitalised value of £3m against Silk & Junior.

McD v. B (2023): County Court, Manchester: liability success at trial on running down accident on Deansgate causing significant brain injury to a drunken undergraduate. Issue of law on the ‘counterfactual’ construction of the reasonable driver – D’s own PRT or the reasonable man’s PRT?

Sugden v. Cumbria County Council (2022): success in Highways Act case defeating claim by a brain-injured cyclist riding into a pothole. Judgment has implications for inspection regimes of rural local authorities, giving greater latitude to local authorities on the frequency of B-road inspections.

H v. City of York Council (2022): amputation case settled at JSM against leading & junior counsel. Claim pitched at £4m, settled at under £2m.

BLA v. SAW (2022): This severe brain injury case involved a young woman who sought to reject excessive case management and rehabilitation foisted upon her by the Case Manager. The defendant was C’s partner, giving rise to relationship stability issues and care need contingencies. Ethical issues over C solicitors approaching the insured without permission were litigated. The case settled for £2.25m.

Monks v. Connollys Scaffolding (2022): 5-day liability & quantum trial involving allegation of fraud in context of moderate brain injury and severe shoulder injury leading to loss of scaffolding occupation. £700,000 claim reduced to £3,500.

Re F (2022): £14m brain damage/psychiatric injury claim settled after JSM at £3m

Forsyth v. Carnforth Hotel (2021): successful defence of occupational liability case after C fell out of hotel window sustaining serious lower limb injuries. Novus Actus and Volenti defences succeeded. Successfully distinguished James v. White Lion Hotel (2020) CA.

Re H (2021): serious brain injury case settled at £6m through Periodical Payment Order

Blake v. Croasdale [2019] RTR 73: successful defence of £4m brain damage claim on basis of ex turpi causa brought by Leeds drug dealer

Tuson v. Murphy [2018] EWCA Civ 461 (Court of Appeal): leading case on interaction between CPR Part 36 and exaggerated claims

Axa v. FCS [2018] EWCA Civ 1330 (Court of Appeal): leading case on exemplary damages in respect of road traffic fraud.

Shui v. University of Manchester [2018] ICR 77: Appeal Tribunal case principles setting out adjustments for litigants suffering mental illness

McHugh v. Okai-Koi [2017] EWHC 1346 (QBD):  defending fatal case after road rage incident in London public house. Ex turpi causa, contributory negligence. C failed to beat Part 36 after 4 day High Court trial

Blake v. 1) Croasdale 2) Esure [2017] EWHC 1336 (QBD): a leading case on resiling from admissions

Select Car Rentals v. Esure Services Limited [2017] EWHC 1434 (QBD): leading case on third party costs orders against credit hire companies

Hatfield v. 1) Drax & 2) SG Transport (2017): successful liability defence of truck accident leading to upper limb amputation

Brian is also a tenant at 9 St. John Street Chambers in Manchester.

Pankaj Madan

Pankaj specialises in Catastrophic and Life-Changing Injury with specialist expertise in traumatic brain injury and severe Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and Functional Neurological disorder claims. He attracts a loyal and ever-increasing following from both Defendant insurers and Claimants. He acts usually only in high value cases often involving pedestrians, cyclists or motorcyclists. He is adept at liability issues. He is the author of two books,  one on Chronic Pain and another on Subtle Brain Injury claims. He has an excellent understanding of medical issues and sits on the Royal Society of Medicine, Pain Section Council.

He is from a medical family and has an excellent understanding of medical issues. He is renowned for his meticulous eye for detail and sensitive, sympathetic client approach, The Legal 500 in 2022 said that :-

“Pankaj Madan is regularly sought after by claimant and defendant firms for his expertise in catastrophic brain injuries, and has notable strength in cases involving subtle brain injuries”

In fact, he has been commended every year by the Legal 500 since 2008.

Pankaj is routinely instructed nationally by leading firms and he frequently confers with insurers, medical experts in chambers or severely injured claimants often in hospitals or rehabilitation facilities or their own home. Travel anywhere in the country is not an issue. However he was one of the first to adopt paperless working and video conferencing many years before the pandemic.

He is instructed and respected by leading Defence firms, and sought after by the insurers often at the first intimation of a claim. He adopts a team approach with the insurer and Solicitor.

He is a Deputy District Judge brings his Judicial experience to every claim particularly  in costs management of high value cases for both Claimants and Defendants.

He is experienced in claims of the utmost severity exceeding £10 million. He often appears against Leading Counsel on his own.

Angela Frost

Angela specialises in high value, complex and catastrophic personal injury claims.

She is instructed by Claimants and Defendants in cases involving serious and high value personal injury. She has a loyal following of both solicitors and insurers due to her practical and no nonsense approach to claims.

Angela has amassed a wealth of experience in cases involving chronic pain and subtle brain injury. She is sought after in such cases particularly where they have a potential fraud element.

Angela is regularly instructed in cases where the value is in excess of £2million and against KC’s unled.

Angela has extensive experience in claims involving fraud, whether exaggerated/feigned injury or staged accidents. Leading insurers turn to Angela at an early stage to advise in cases where fraud is suspected and can rely on her to deliver targeted and precise cross examination at trial.

Claimant solicitors appreciate Angela’s ability to engage with their clients and the way in which she is able to deliver complex and difficult information and advice in a way that is appropriate and comprehensible to the individual in front of her.

Angela is instructed nationally by leading firms and insurers and is often able to turn around papers at short notice. She is happy to receive instructions electronically.

Angela sits on the Editorial Board of Kemp & Kemp: Law Practice and Procedure, and she edits the chapters on Service, Statements of Case, Admissions, Part 36, Trials, and Appeals.

Angela was elected joint Deputy Head of Chambers in July 2024.

Mary Newnham

Mary practises predominantly in personal injury and clinical negligence. She acts for both claimants and defendants in a wide range of multi-track cases.  Mary is regularly instructed in cases involving fatal accidents, brain injuries and serious and multiple injuries. She is also very familiar with cases where there is an interplay between physical and psychological injuries or a diagnosis of functional or somatoform disorders.  She is comfortable with cases involving multiple experts, causation problems and complex calculations of loss, whether they conclude at trial or at JSM.

Mary has substantial experience in road traffic litigation, including cases involving allegations of fraud and coverage/ indemnity issues. She also specialises in employers’ liability claims and public liability cases, often involving multiple defendants.

Mary’s clinical negligence practice includes cases where consideration is given to bringing additional claims for negligent medical treatment following an accident as well as free-standing claims against medical professionals for late diagnosis, negligent treatment or lack of informed consent.

Mary is regularly instructed to appear in the Coroner’s Court and has experience of substantial inquests involving juries, potential unlawful killing verdicts, deaths in the care of the state and cases where there is potential for a Preventing Future Deaths report.

Mary provides lectures and seminars to solicitors and insurers and can do so in-house.

Mary is currently living in Manchester and is happy to cover hearings in the North-West area.

Gemma Scott

Gemma specialises in serious personal injury cases, industrial disease claims, and in large group actions.

She regularly appears against silks and senior juniors in High Court cases. She is also frequently instructed as junior counsel in multi-million pound claims, often working alongside silks from other chambers.

She is ranked in the fields of Personal Injury and Industrial Disease in the Legal 500 and in Chambers & Partners.

Gemma is a contributor to Sweet and Maxwell’s Asbestos: Law and Litigation.

Roisin Kennedy

Roisin has significant experience in all aspects of personal injury law.  She specialises in high value complex personal injury disputes.  She acts for both claimants and defendants.  She is very thorough and user-friendly and is able to give advice quickly. 

Prior to joining 12 King’s Bench Walk in 2012, Roisin gained considerable advocacy experience conducting jury trials in the Crown Court.

Charles Robertshaw

Charles specialises in complex personal injury claims. He is regularly instructed for both claimants and defendants in a wide range of personal injury work involving serious injury and death, including: employers’ liability, public liability, highways claims, clinical negligence, and road traffic liability. Charles’ practice involves claims of high value, including some in excess of £1 million.

Charles is known for combining his notorious attention to detail and thorough preparation with an ability to identify the key issues in the case and provide pragmatic, clear, logical advice to his clients.

Charles is an experienced, persuasive and robust trial advocate. He is approachable and builds a strong rapport with his instructing solicitors and clients.

Where settlement is appropriate for his clients, he is a skilled negotiator both in JSM’s and in mediations and regularly achieves successful outcomes for his clients without recourse to trial.

Emily Read

Emily focuses on civil litigation involving damage to people and to property as well as proprietary interests, insurance, recovery and costs.

Emily has a diverse professional and legal background; her first degree was an MA in Economics. Emily worked for a property developer, then one of the leading global insurance and risk legal specialists doing professional negligence work involving property investment fraud as well as working for one of the largest global insurance companies, also dealing with professional risks at a senior level.

During her second six Emily did a mix of criminal and civil work, prosecuting and defending at both magistrates and crown court level and this provided her with not only the knowledge to deal with criminal aspects of the law, but also an excellent ability to quickly read and digest large quantities of paperwork with an eye for relevant detail, something she is regularly praised for by clients and Judges.

Lois Aldred

Lois is an experienced Personal Injury and Costs Specialist known for her approachable style, tenacious advocacy and the ability to effectively argue tricky legal points.

Lois combines her practice as a barrister with sitting as Recorder on the Midlands Circuit.

Away from Law Lois has a keen interest in travel, languages, and sustainable gardening when she isn’t marshalling her trio of young sons.

She speaks (now) basic French after her time living and studying in Strasbourg, when a student along with a little Spanish and Japanese.

Before coming to the Bar Lois Taught English Language Oral Communication in Osaka, Japan.

Thea Wilson

Thea specialises in Clinical Negligence, complex Personal Injury claims, and Inquests.

Thea has a wealth of experience in handling cases involving delayed diagnosis, birth and pregnancy-related injuries, spinal injuries, brain damage, psychiatric injury, chronic pain and fatal accidents. Thea is particularly adept at handling complex quantum calculations.

Thea’s role as Assistant Coroner for Essex gives her insight and expertise in the inquest process. She regularly acts for interested parties at inquests, in particular in claims involving clinical negligence, road traffic accidents, and deaths in custody and is happy to advise on all aspects of the coronial process.

Thea’s expert knowledge of the CPR stands her in good stead in acting for and advising solicitors on procedural matters in relation to applications and appeals, and in respect of costs. She is sought after in cases with a potential fraud element and has a wide range of experience dealing with insurance coverage issues.

Thea is regularly instructed by trade union organisations, local authorities, insurers, the NHS, and the MIB.

With an eye for detail and a sympathetic manner, Thea is experienced in dealing with vulnerable claimants. Thea has represented victims of sexual and physical abuse both in civil claims and before the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Tribunal.

Thea is happy to accept cases on a CFA basis and is willing to consider Pro Bono instruction where appropriate.

Vanessa Cashman

Vanessa specialises in clinical negligence. She acts predominantly for claimants and her practice encompasses a huge range of medical specialties. She has particular expertise in birth and obstetric injuries, spinal injury and brain injury.

Vanessa is ranked for clinical negligence in both the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners. She is known for her warmth and sensitivity and her extensive medical knowledge.

She also has considerable experience in personal injury, inquests and costs.

Thomas Banks

Tom is ranked as a Personal Injury Leading Junior in Legal 500. He specialises in catastrophic, complex and high value Personal Injury claims, Insurance Law, Inquests, Military claims, Fraud and Costs.

His specialist personal injury practice focuses on Brain and Spinal Injuries, Fatal Accidents, Motor Insurance and Indemnity Law,  International and Travel Law, Public and Employers Liability and Industrial Disease

As former Tank Commander and Intelligence Officer in the British Army, he is also recognised as an established specialist Counsel in Armed Forces Claims.

Tom has also been instructed in High Court Defamation proceedings.

Rachit Buch

Rachit specialises in personal injury, industrial disease, clinical negligence and international and travel law. He is ranked in the legal directories for personal injury: industrial disease (Band 2, Chambers & Partners) and clinical negligence (Tier 4, Legal 500). He is described as “a strong advocate”, who “excels at understanding both the overall picture and the important details of the case. He has a great manner with clients”.

His industrial disease practice focuses on mesothelioma claims and other asbestos-related diseases.

His clinical negligence practice includes birth-related claims, surgical negligence and delayed diagnosis in oncology and other disciplines.

He acts for claimants and defendants in high value and complex litigation. He has particular expertise in cases with an international element, including jurisdictional challenges, cases involving foreign law and accidents abroad.

Rachit has experience in cases involving a public law aspect, including liability of public bodies such as the Ministry of Defence. He was instructed in the Undercover Policing Inquiry, as well as having an established inquest practice.

He is instructed in claims involving issues of national security including sensitive military deployments or undercover policing.

Having studied Human Genetics for his first degree, Rachit applies his knowledge of scientific and medical issues to the law.

Nina Ross

Nina is ranked as a leading junior in personal injury in the current editions of Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners, which note that Nina is “crystal-clear in her thinking and analysis” (Legal 500) and has “a commanding presence when on her feet” (Chambers and Partners).

Nina specialises in claims arising out of sexual and physical assaults; harassment claims; military claims; international and group litigation; and human rights aspects of personal injury law. She has been instructed in high-profile litigation in these fields, including in:

• Ella Janneh v Michael Lousada [2024] EWHC 1464 (KB): claim for sexual assault brought against therapist.
• Sayn-Wittgenstein v Juan Carlos 1 [2023] EWHC 2478 (KB) (led by Jonathan Caplan KC and Andrew Green KC): claim for harassment brought against the former King of Spain.
• X v Kuoni [2021] UKSC 34 (led by William Audland KC): a claim brought under the 1992 Package Travel Regulations for sexual assaults committed by a hotel employee in Sri Lanka, which was referred by the Supreme Court to the CJEU for a preliminary ruling on a point of European law.
• Alseran & Others v Ministry of Defence [2017] EWHC 3289 (QB) [2018] 3 W.L.R. 95 (led by Richard Hermer KC and Harry Steinberg KC): claims against the MoD brought by Iraqi civilians who allege that they were assaulted and unlawfully detained by UK military personnel during the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Given her areas of specialism, Nina has particular experience of claims for psychiatric injury and the complex issues of causation that arise.

She is an authority on limitation periods and is co-author of Personal Injury Limitation Law, Bloomsbury (2020) which has received excellent reviews: https://www.bloomsburyprofessional.com/uk/personal-injury-limitation-law-9781526508607/

Before coming to the Bar, Nina worked on torture and abuse cases in the international and group claims department of Leigh Day & Co Solicitors; at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in the Netherlands; as well as at JUSTICE; Liberty; and the Legal Resources Centre in Durban, South Africa.

Isaac Hogarth

Isaac has a specialist clinical negligence, personal injury and insurance practice. A large number of Isaac’s instructions relate to cases involving life-changing spinal and brain injuries, chronic pain and fatalities. He is ranked as a leading junior in personal injury and clinical negligence in both the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners 2024.

In addition to his injury practice, Isaac has a growing reputation as an insurance specialist and is often instructed to advise insurers and the MIB on technical coverage and indemnity issues.

Isaac is an experienced advocate with an excellent track record at trials, joint settlement meetings and mediations. He is often instructed as a junior in high value claims, but also has extensive experience as sole counsel.

In addition to his civil practice, Isaac is often instructed to provide representation at inquests, particularly those arising from deaths in hospitals and road traffic accidents.

Dr. Achas Burin

Achas enjoys a varied practice in 12KBW’s core areas. She is keen to tackle research on complex points, including procedural ones and those involving a crossover between different spheres of law. She welcomes instructions in matters that cross the boundary between tort and public law. She is currently instructed in the Public Inquiry into Undercover Policing and the Lampard Inquiry into mental health provision in Essex. She previously had a longstanding involvement in the Infected Blood Inquiry and the Kenya Emergency Group Litigation.

She acted as a junior in Coventry v Lawrence (No. 3) [2015] UKSC 50, the landmark Supreme Court case concerning whether the costs regime under the Access to Justice Act 1999 complied with human rights law.

She was also instructed in X v Kuoni Travel [2019] C-578/19, both in the Supreme Court and before the Court of Justice of the European Union, alongside William Audland KC and Nina Ross.

Achas is a Senior Lecturer in Law at Oxford Brookes University, where she teaches tort law and medical law.

Private: Max Archer

Max is recognised as a leading practitioner in a number of different fields including aviation law, cross border litigation, industrial disease, product liability and group actions. Across these fields he is experienced in tortious disputes, commercial litigation and regulatory matters.

He is known for his excellent client care, robust advocacy and pragmatic approach to litigation. Max’s work is often technical, high value and complex. He often appears unled against silks in the higher courts and is acknowledged for his advocacy skills.

Max has unparalleled knowledge of aviation law and has become a go-to junior in this area in respect of large loss events  occurring all over the world as well as domestic accidents, regulatory issues and commercial aviation work.

His work often has an international dimension, he has expertise in jurisdiction and conflicts of laws as well as private international tort law and human rights issues.

Max often acts in group actions, both led and unled. He is adept at handling mass tort cases and often acts in environmental actions as well as group personal injury claims.

He is a contributing author of Asbestos: Law & Litigation (Sweet & Maxwell, 2019) and the co-editor of 12KBW’s Asbestos Blog.

Max is recognised in Aviation, Personal Injury and Travel in the Legal 500 and in Aviation, Personal Injury and Industrial Disease in Chambers & Partners.

David Green

David is a leading personal injury junior. “The quality of David’s advice is second to none” (Legal 500 2022).

In personal injury he specialises in occupational and environmental disease claims, including all aspects of asbestos disease, and noise-induced hearing loss.

He maintains a particular interest and specialism in military cases, and is instructed in the ongoing military deafness litigation (led by Harry Steinberg KC).

David is also ranked as a rising star in employment law. “David is an excellent advocate and is able to think very well on his feet. He has very good technical knowledge of both the law and procedure” (Legal 500 2022).

Cases include:

Abbott v Ministry of Defence [2022] EWHC 1807 (QB): represented nearly 3,500 claimants for noise-induced hearing loss and/or tinnitus brought against the MOD (led by Harry Steinberg KC).

Wokingham Borough Council v Arshad [2022] EWHC 2419 (KB): successful appeal on behalf of a local authority against claim for psychiatric damage, brought by a taxi driver after a mistake in the taxi licensing process.

David also appeared for the successful Respondent in Greene v Davies [2022] EWCA Civ 414, an appeal concerning an important point of law on abuse of process in regulatory disciplinary proceedings.

Charley Turton

Charley specialises in clinical negligence, abuse, and injury claims with an international element.

Her broader personal injury practice encompasses interests in sports law, motor insurance and military claims.

Charley has been led by William Audland KC, Harry Steinberg KC, Patrick Vincent KC and Andrew Roy KC of 12KBW and regularly does work for other members of chambers in high value cases.

In addition to a busy paperwork practice, Charley is regularly in court for trials, PTRs, CCMCs, interim applications and approval hearings.

As a member of Advocate (formerly the Bar Pro Bono Unit), Charley is willing to act in a pro bono capacity, where appropriate.

Prior to coming to the Bar, Charley studied English Literature at Merton College, Oxford, and was awarded a Blue for football.

When she is not in chambers Charley plays for Camden Town Football Club and is a loyal participant in the annual Blenheim Palace Triathlon.

Charley is clerked by George Boggis (boggis@12kbw.co.uk) and Daniella Evans (evans@12kbw.co.uk).

Henry King

Henry specialises predominantly in costs and funding litigation arising from all manner of actions.

He routinely appears for both paying parties and receiving parties in detailed assessments as well as on discrete points of law. Henry is particularly interested in solicitor/client assessments at all values.

He also maintains a substantial practice in personal injury, as well as insurance work including property damage, indemnity disputes and cases involving suspicions of fraud.

Henry’s practice is managed by:

• Lily Baker – Practice Manager (baker@12kbw.co.uk); and
• George Gosling – Assistant Practice Manager (gosling@12kbw.co.uk)

Megan Griffiths

Megan specialises in claims for psychiatric injury arising from abuse, personal injury more widely and clinical negligence. She is happy to consider instructions on a CFA or publicly funded basis where appropriate.

Megan’s abuse practice sees her regularly advising on limitation, liability, causation and quantum in six figure claims for psychiatric injuries and consequential losses. She appreciates the sensitivities involved in this work and always reflects that in her approach. In recent months she has worked on claims arising from abuse within the cadets, healthcare settings, the workplace and at home. She takes instructions in claims involving both adult and child survivors and both institution and abuser-in-person defendants.

Megan’s wider personal injury practice includes claims arising from road traffic accidents, highways claims, public liability claims and employer’s liability claims. Her busy court practice, which sees her in court most weeks, informs her approach to her written and advisory work in this area including on allegations of fraud where appropriate. She also advises on tactical and procedural issues including offers and costs. She recently completed a short secondment with a defendant insurer city law firm which included work on written HSE submissions.

In her clinical negligence practice Megan works on a wide variety of cases. Recent subjects include ophthalmic treatment, negligent management of medication leading to hospitalisation and delayed diagnoses. She is particularly keen to build her practice in women’s health and apply her experience in traumatic and sensitive cases to this area.

Megan is also instructed to assist leading counsel in high value claims and group actions. She has recently assisted in an amputation and brain injury claim which settled for millions and a group action arising from gender-based discrimination sexual harassment in the workplace, contrary to workers’ human rights.

She has been praised by her instructing solicitors for her communicative and thorough approach to case preparation in both her court work and paper practice.

Megan is a member of the Government’s Junior Juniors Scheme and of the Metropolitan Police Panel of Counsel. She regularly contributes to chambers’ various blogs and has been published by AvMA, Law in Sport and LexisPSL.

Before joining chambers Megan worked as a paralegal in a London law firm’s clinical negligence department. She therefore appreciates the importance of working closely with solicitors to achieve the best results for commercial and lay clients.

Cressida Mawdesley-Thomas

Cressida specialises in all aspects of Personal Injury law. She has a thorough and collaborative approach and is recognised by The Legal 500 as a Rising Star who “has already amassed an extremely impressive caseload, far beyond that of many barristers much more senior”.

In disease litigation Cressida acts for Claimants suffering from mesothelioma, lung cancer, diffuse pleural thickening and asbestosis. She is also experienced in VWF/ HAVS claims. She regularly appears in the Masters’ corridor and is well versed in limitation arguments and complex issues of causation. As second junior in Mather v MOD she helped obtain a settlement of over £3 million for a former RAF painter & finisher who developed MS following exposure to organic solvents in breach of the COSHH Regulations.

Cressida has particular interest in equine claims brought under The Animals Act 1971.  She is currently junior counsel in a high value, complex CRPS claim following a military riding accident. Cressida is adept at drafting schedules of loss in cases involving the loss of a military career.

In clinical negligence Cressida has experience in a range of different cases, including delayed diagnosis, as well as unnecessary and negligent surgery. This compliments her coronial practice where she is instructed in inquests involving multiple expert jurisdictions. She successfully obtained a regulation 28 prevention of future death report in a case arising out of the police’s treatment of head injuries and questioned experts in pathology, neuropathology, and toxicology.

Cressida is adept at handling complex motor insurance indemnity points. She successfully acted as Junior Counsel for the Second Defendant in Covea Insurance Plc v Greenaway [2021] 3 WLUK 379, considering the meaning of the ‘stolen or unlawfully taken’ exception under s. 151 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. Greenaway was the first case to practically consider how the domestic court is to interpret retained EU law under section 6(3) of the EU Withdrawal Act 2018. Unled she successfully acted for the Second Defendant in Kelec v (1) Kotwal (2) Nelson Insurance (HHJ Dight CBE, central London County Court, 18 August 2022). The case concerned the limits of a direct action under The European Communities (Rights against Insurers) Regulations 2002 (‘the 2002 Regulations’).

Cressida acts and advises in costs litigation, including detailed assessment hearings, where she is an effective advocate. She co-edits 12 King’s Bench Walk’s Costs blog with Deputy Costs Judge Andrew Roy.

Prior to coming to the Bar Cressida worked at a top American investment bank. She is highly numerate and drafts living and fatal schedules of loss beyond her year of call.

Tim Goodwin

2019: Called to the Bar |  2012: Admitted to the Solicitors’ Roll

Tim is recognised as a leading employment junior who is described in the current edition of Legal 500 as “first-rate” and "quick on his feet". His employment work is complemented by a personal injury practice that is focused on psychiatric injuries arising from workplace stress, harassment and bullying. Tim is currently Head of 12KBW’s Employment Practice Group and was a finalist for the Legal 500's Employment Junior of the Year 2023 award.

Tim qualified as a solicitor in 2012 and, before being called to the Bar, practiced as a Senior Associate in a Tier 1 rated City employment firm. In that role he was responsible for cases at all levels and across the broad spectrum of employment disputes. Tim’s considerable experience of employment disputes and civil litigation has furnished him with a level of expertise and knowledge that is well beyond his year of call, meaning that he is frequently instructed on complex, difficult and high-value cases.

Tim has considerable advocacy experience, appearing in tribunals and county courts on a near-daily basis. He also appears in the High Court and Employment Appeal Tribunal, often unled. Tim combines his court work with advisory and drafting work, and can be depended on to deliver results consistently, quickly and commercially. Additionally, Tim has extensive experience of alternative dispute resolution, including formal, informal and judicial mediations, settlement negotiations and arbitration.

Jessica Franklin

Jessica specialises in personal injury, disease and employment.

Jessica writes robust pleadings, offers realistic advice on liability and settlement and is a confident advocate. In employment, she is particularly experienced in whistleblowing, discrimination and unfair dismissal claims. In personal injury, she is experienced in a range of areas including complex vicarious liability, disease and military disputes.

Jessica is interested in appellate work and was recently junior counsel in the Court of Appeal and in the Employment Appeal Tribunal.

Jessica is a scholar of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. She achieved a Distinction in the GDL and the BVS. She was awarded academic scholarships by the City Law School and the Inner Temple to undertake her legal studies.

Prior to coming to the Bar, Jessica had a career in advertising and marketing. She worked in Beijing for a year and has a great interest in Chinese culture, language and food.

Eleanor Duckenfield

Eleanor joined chambers in October 2022 following successful completion of her pupillage. She advocates in court numerous times a week in trials, interim hearings, CCMCs and applications. In addition, Eleanor has a busy paperwork practice.

Eleanor accepts instructions in all areas of personal injury, credit hire, clinical negligence, industrial disease, costs and fraud. She is also keen to accept instructions in inquests. In addition, Eleanor is an experienced courtroom advocate in Disposal hearings, Stage 3 hearings and Infant Approvals.

Eleanor is clerked by Lily Baker (baker@12kbw.co.uk).

Under her supervisors, Rachit Buch, Charles Robertshaw and Isaac Hogarth, she obtained experience in personal injury, clinical negligence, inquests, and industrial disease, with a particular focus on mesothelioma and noise-induced hearing loss claims.

Eleanor studied Anthropology at Durham University (with a particular interest in Forensic Anthropology). Following her degree, Eleanor achieved a Distinction in both the GDL and LLM in Bar Practice. Eleanor won a prize for receiving the highest mark in Ethics in her BPTC cohort and 91% in her Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence module.

Following several successes in mooting competitions, Eleanor volunteered at the University of Law’s Legal Advice Centre where she represented litigants in person in hearings and offered assistance throughout the litigation process.

Prior to pupillage, Eleanor gained experience working abroad in Austria and Spain, before returning to the UK to work in the pharmaceutical industry throughout Covid, whilst simultaneously completing both her delayed Bar exams and a Medical Counter Assistance course.