Manchester PI Conference

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.

Gerard Martin KC

Specialist in catastrophic injury work for Claimants. Other specialties include claims for amputees, pain and somatoform disorders.

In the way his career has developed both at the junior bar and in silk, he has been instructed almost exclusively by those acting for Claimants (including those employed in the military), save for one or two occasions when insurance companies have sought his assistance. The majority of his work over the past 15 years in silk has been for clients with severe brain injuries, be they adults or children, the injuries resulting as the consequence of accidents or by way of clinical negligence.

Each case of severe brain injury is unique and experience has taught him that it is unwise to generalise about outcomes, much depends upon the individual and the support they receive. Practising in this specialty has meant that the experts on both sides of the litigation divide are known to him, as are the centres of excellence for rehabilitation of the brain injured.

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.

Dr. David Sharpe KC

Dr David Sharpe KC specialises in clinical negligence, professional negligence, serious personal injury, construction, sport, inquests & inquiries and property law. David practices within all areas of England & Wales and works for claimants and defendants.

He practiced as a doctor to Consultant level in Emergency Medicine (and is a Fellow of both the Royal College of Surgeons and Royal College of Physicians) prior to qualifying as a Barrister and retains an exceptional knowledge of scientific, medical and technical matters relevant to his current legal practice.

David is also admitted to the Inner Bar in a number of other jurisdictions, has developed expertise of jurisdictional issues and has built a strong international aspect to his practice. He regularly receives instructions from overseas.

He has fully embraced ADR and is a qualified arbitrator and mediator. As such he is equally happy to act either as arbitrator/mediator or as counsel in such proceedings.

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.

Andrew Ward

Andrew is recommended in the Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 directories as a leading personal injury junior. He represents Claimants and Defendants in high value employer’s liability, public liability and RTA personal injury claims. He has extensive experience of traumatic brain injury, amputation, chronic pain conditions, functional neurological disorder, paralysis caused by spinal injury, fatal accident claims, issues of motor insurance policy coverage and fundamental dishonesty.

The Legal 500 (2023) says:

“Andrew is a very measured and persuasive advocate at court. He is never flustered, he is scrupulously polite and he is devastatingly effective. He knows his specialist area of the law backwards, he rarely pursues bad points and he is a very sensible opponent.”

Andrew is also a tenant at Exchange Chambers, Manchester.

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.

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.

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.

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 and employment junior. He is the head of Chambers’ employment team.

"He is really impressive - smart and efficient" (Chambers & Partners (personal injury: industrial disease), 2025).

“David is simply outstanding” (Chambers & Partners (employment), 2025)

David is ranked as a leading junior for both personal injury and employment law, in both Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500.

In personal injury he specialises in occupational and environmental disease claims, including all aspects of asbestos disease; noise-induced hearing loss; and cases involving the armed forces. He is instructed in the ongoing Military Deafness Litigation.

In employment he appears regularly in the Employment Tribunal and the EAT in a variety of statutory employment cases.

He leads Chambers’ employment team, which is ranked as a leading group in both Chambers & Partners and Legal 500.

Cases include:

Minis Childcare Ltd v Hilton-Webb [2024] EAT 108: successful appeal concerning the relationship between indirect discrimination and the duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees.

Barry v Ministry of Defence [2023] EWHC 459 (KB): military noise-induced hearing loss case with widespread implications for the quantum of earnings-related damages for disabled claimants.

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

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.

Spencer Turner

Spencer specialises in sports disputes, personal injury, clinical negligence, international and travel law, industrial disease, information law, and group litigation. He is regularly instructed in complex and high-profile matters for claimants and defendants, both as led and as sole counsel across all of his core practice areas and before a range of different courts and tribunals. He is a sought-after junior barrister who is often praised for his diligence, excellent client care, strong advocacy and ability to work well in teams.

The legal directories recognise Spencer’s expertise across a broad range of practice areas where he is ranked as a ‘rising star’ or ‘up and coming’ in personal injury, industrial disease, insurance fraud, international personal injury, clinical negligence and sports law. They variously describe him as “great” with “impressive advocacy”, “already having developed a practice that exceeds his seniority”, “absolutely superb”, and “thorough, professional and well-liked by clients”.

Spencer’s sports disputes practice sees him regularly instructed on behalf of sports governing bodies, players/athletes, clubs, coaches and agents across the full range of sports matters. His personal injury, clinical negligence, industrial disease and travel work involves cases of the utmost severity, and he has experience of large-scale litigation, being led, and acting as sole counsel.

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 frequent paperwork cases, 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.

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 is frequently instructed on paperwork matters.

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.

Private: 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.