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12KBW described as a 'standout set' by Chambers and Partners 2009
12 King’s Bench Walk maintains its position as one of the leading sets in both personal injury and employment in Chambers and Partners 2009.In the employment law category Andrew Hogarth QC was noted as a leading silk and Carolyn D’Souza as a leading junior.
In the personal injury category, eight silks and nine juniors were described as leading in their field, with Frank Burton QC receiving the sole “Star Individual” by Chambers and Partners.
12 King’s Bench Walk was described by Chambers and Partners 2009 as being a “standout set” with solicitors describing barristers as “approachable and bright”.
Amongst the silks Frank Burton QC was described as a “superstar for disease work” who is often the first port of call for top solicitors. One source enthused that “there is no better leader for challenging disease work” and described him as a rare combination of “a brilliant academic mind, excellent preparation skills and a compelling manner with clients”.
Allan Gore QC received praise for being “down to earth and tremendously empathetic with clients”. He was also noted for his “great intellect, sound judgement and forthright advice” and as being “one of the most in demand personal injury barristers of the moment”.
Richard Methuen QC was described as “calm, efficient and immensely able” and as being “always a tough opponent” with a “wonderful ability to communicate with people on any level”.
Stephen Worthington QC was noted for his niche specialism in motor accident work and described as “well capable across the spectrum of personal injury cases”. He was also noted for being “a good listener who is detailed, pragmatic and excellent with experts” and as being “highly valued by solicitors for his “direct approach and commercial awareness”.
Andrew Hogarth QC was described as “an impressive advocate”, widely used by a variety of firms for stress at work issues.
Ronald Walker QC was praised for being a “vastly experienced and knowledgeable silk”.
If you want detailed paperwork Nicholas Heathcote-Williams QC is your man according to Chambers and Partners as he is said to be excellent on heavily documented cases. Commentators also noted his “fine client skills and strong knowledge of MIB matters”.
William Featherby QC won praise for his understanding of RTA and insurance work and was described as “consistently taking a robust line and fights the defendant’s corner”.
Turning to the juniors, Paul Russell, described as a “popular leading junior”, is praised for being “exactly the kind of person you want behind you”. He is described as a “fine all-rounder” whose “intellect, experience and thoroughness” are combined with “a wonderful ability to communicate with people on any level”. He is also “one of the most capable hands on the circuit”.
William Audland is “consistently impressive”, winning acclaim for his involvement in multi-million-pound brain injury cases. He is described as being “an excellent cross-examiner” who “takes a very straightforward, no nonsense approach to defending claims and never misses a trick”.
“Equally clued up”, say Chambers and Partners, are Simon Levene and Catherine Brown who are regularly briefed on important personal injury cases. Catherine is described as a “tenacious trial lawyer and a formidable opponent who is outstanding on large stress claims”. Simon is described as being “an accomplished advocate who is invaluable on horribly tricky cases with lots of figures and accounts”.
Nigel Lewers is “tremendously thorough” and has a reputation in defendant personal injury and clinical negligence work. He is described as being a “fearless negotiator” who is “excellent on complex causation cases”.
David Sanderson stands out for his “excellent client-handling, swift responses and specialist knowledge of his subject”.
Henry Charles is praised as being a “sensible advocate who is strategically focused”.
Also recommended are Hugh Hamill, described as being a “razor-sharp advocate” and Quentin Tudor-Evans who has particular expertise in understanding machinery malfunctions on mechanical cases.