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
His areas of expertise include
- Severe brain injury
- Quadraplegia and Paraplegia
- Serious psychiatric injury
- Fatal accidents involving high earners
He has specialist knowledge of Periodical Payments and the impact of statutory funding
He also lectures regularly on personal injury issues to solicitors and insurers
Stephen has been involved in a number of cases involving accidents abroad and is regularly instructed by MIB in cases concerning accidents in the EU
Motor insurance is Stephen’s particular speciality. He is the “go to” person in relation to motor indemnity issues for most of the UK motor insurers and is highly experienced in obtaining Road Traffic Act declarations
MA (Cantab) Trinity College, Cambridge (2:1)
Atkin Prize : Gray’s Inn (1976)
Recorder : 2002 – Present
Chairman of the Law Reform Committee of the Bar Council: 2011 – 2015
Director of Bar Mutual: 2005 – 2009
Committee Member of the London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association: 2003 – 2005
Personal Injuries Bar Association
Professional Negligence Bar Association
Stephen has been recommended by the legal directories for many years.
A go-to silk on motor policy in relation to catastrophic work. He is a pleasure to work with. – Chambers & Partners, 2022
He is a fierce advocate, highly respected by the judiciary, fellow barristers, experts and insurance clients alike. – Legal 500, 2022
His knowledge is flawless. He is the oracle for matters concerning motor indemnity and illegality. – Chambers & Partners, 2021
Has a superb ability to boil complex cases down to a few key issues. – Legal 500, 2021
He’s a very no-nonsense barrister who gets straight to the point and performs very well. – Chambers & Partners, 2020
He is hugely experienced yet very down to earth. – Chambers & Partners, 2020
A fair, honest and accomplished operator. – Chambers & Partners, 2019
He is extremely experienced and pragmatic. – Chambers & Partners, 2019
‘Go-to’ silk for tricky liabilty disbutes and significant causation and quantum cases. – Legal 500, 2019
A brilliant performer who is very knowledgeable. – Chambers & Partners, 2018
Widely regarded as one of the leading personal injury silks. – Chambers & Partners, 2018
Approachable and a pleasure to work with. He commands great respect from his opponents and is excellent in negotiations. – Chambers & Partners, 2018
Stephen is righty recognised as a leader for claims of utmost severity as he is technically exceptional, to the point and focused. – Legal 500, 2018
He has a vast wealth of experience in terms of MIB work and he’s a go-to person for CAT loss cases from a motor perspective. – Chambers & Partners, 2017
He’s incredibly user-friendly and excellent on liability and quantum. – Chambers & Partners, 2017
The leader of choice in personal injury. – Legal 500, 2017
His knowledge of MIB cases is first class, he is meticulously prepared and he is very commercially minded………….One of the top silks at the PI Bar. – Chambers & Partners (Band 1), 2016
He is one of a handful of the top silks at the PI Bar. His knowledge of MIB cases is first-class; he is meticulously prepared and he is very commercially minded. – Chambers & Partners, 2016
He has a very considerable intellect and top technical nous. – Legal 500 (Tier 2), 2016
He is meticulous in his preparation, and is a very persuasive advocate. – Legal 500, 2015
McCracken v Smith & MIB [2013] EWHC 3620 (QB) – ex turpi causa
Wilkinson v Fitzgerald [2013] 1 WLR 1776 – the construction of section 151 (8) of the Road Traffic Act 1988
Carswell v Secretary of State for Transport & MIB [2010] EWHC 3230 (QB) – the construction of the Untraced Drivers Agreement
Phillips v Rafiq [2007] PIQR P304 – the meaning of “claimant” in the Uninsured Drivers Agreement
Watson v British Boxing Board of Control [2001] QB 1134 – the duty of care owed to a boxer by the regulatory body
Heil v Rankin [2001] QB 272 – the proper method of calculation of general damages for personal injury
Blue Circle v Ministry of Defence [1998] 3 All ER 385 – the calculation of damages resulting from nuclear pollution