Chris Bright KC is recognised nationally as a leading Clinical Negligence / Personal Injury Silk.
Working for leading solicitors all over the country, he conducts CP/neonatal claims to a capitalised value of £30m and, as well as catastrophic brain and spinal injuries and amputation PI claims, a range of CN cases involving complex clinical and causation issues. Recent awards include £4.2m/PPO £285,000, £5.4m/PPO £228,000, £3.6m/PPO £250,000 and £6m/PPO £217,500 and £7.5m/Year 1 PPO £230,000 then £325,000 for life, equivalent to £12m+, £19m+, £12m+ and c£20m and over £30m respectively.
Chris is known by solicitors for his approachability in informally screening cases at an early/pre-expert stage and providing constructive advice upon tactics and the instruction of recommended experts.
He is highly regarded for attention to detail, compassionate client care, calm, logical and sensitive approach, his tactical expertise and excellent negotiation skills. He regularly speaks to and chairs for AvMA, Headway and the SIA, Pace Rehabilitation (now Dorset Orthopaedic) and at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital, Oswestry.
Chris took Silk in 2009 and in the same year was awarded the Birmingham Law Society’s “Barrister of the Year” Award. He became Head of the Clinical Negligence Group at No5 in 2015 and in 2019 was one of three Silks shortlisted for the Chambers and Partners national Clinical Negligence Silk of the Year. In 2023 he accepted the Chambers and Partners national Clinical Negligence Set of the Year award on behalf of the Clinical Negligence Group before passing on the baton as Head of Group in April 2024. He is a Bencher of Gray’s Inn and, until 2023, was a Crown and County Court Recorder (part time Judge) for over 20 years. Chris became an Accredited Mediator in 2024.
Chris is consistently rated as a leading silk in both Clin Neg and PI practice areas in Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500.
Chris is recognised nationally as a leading Clin Neg/PI Silk. Working for leading solicitors all over the country, he conducts CP/neonatal claims to a capitalised value of £30m and, as well as catastrophic brain and spinal injuries and amputation PI claims, a range of CN cases involving complex clinical and causation issues. Recent awards include £4.2m/PPO £285,000, £5.4m/PPO £228,000, £3.6m/PPO £250,000 and £6m/PPO £217,500 and £7.5m/Year 1 PPO £230,000 then £325,000 for life, equivalent to £12m+, £19m+, £12m+, c£20m and over £30m respectively.
Chris is known by solicitors for his approachability in informally screening cases at an early/pre-expert stage and providing constructive advice upon tactics and the instruction of recommended experts. He is highly regarded for attention to detail, compassionate client care, calm, logical and sensitive approach, his tactical expertise and excellent negotiation skills. He regularly speaks to and chairs for AvMA, Headway and the SIA, Pace Rehabilitation (now Dorset Orthopaedic) and at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital, Oswestry.
Chris took Silk in 2009 and in the same year was awarded the Birmingham Law Society’s “Barrister of the Year” Award. He became Head of the Clinical Negligence Group at No5 in 2015 and in 2019 was one of three Silks shortlisted for the Chambers and Partners national Clinical Negligence Silk of the Year. In 2023 he accepted the Chambers and Partners national Clinical Negligence Set of the Year award on behalf of the Clinical Negligence Group before passing on the baton as Head of Group in April 2024. He is a Bencher of Gray’s Inn and, until 2023, was a Crown and County Court Recorder (part time Judge) for over 20 years.
Chris is consistently rated as a leading silk in both Clin Neg and PI practice areas in Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500.
Chris is consistently recommended by the legal directories as a leading Silk who is highly experienced and expert in conducting the highest level of cerebral palsy/neonatal and adult brain injury claims. He is known by solicitors for his approachability in informally screening cases at an early stage and providing constructive advice upon tactics and the instruction of recommended experts. At any one time, Chris is involved in multiple ongoing cerebral palsy/neonatal claims, particularly those involving historical CP, complex causation and quantum issues and issues relating to CCG/Local Authority statutory funding and PPOs. He regularly lectures (and can offer training) upon litigating CP claims, including early/CTG screening and on all aspects of quantum and statutory funding.
As well as the usual issues in relation to the mismanagement of labour and delays in recognising acute and chronic partial hypoxia and fetal distress, Chris has successfully conducted claims involving the mismanagement of twin births, pneumococcal meningitis, neonatal hypoglycaemia and autism/severe behavioural difficulties (see below).
Approved settlement of £6m lump sum and PPOs rising to £217,500 from age 23 for life – a capitalised equivalent of £20m. Clinical negligence CP case involving the full range of issues across Paediatric Neurology, Paediatric Neuropsychology, Educational Psychology, Orthopaedic, Ophthalmology, Care, OT, Orthotics, AT, Physiotherapy, SALT, Accommodation and Deputyship/CoP experts (13 disciplines).
Failure promptly to diagnose/treat pneumococcal meningitis in an 8-month child, now 19 years of age, causing severe frontal/parietal brain damage and learning difficulties, autism and epilepsy. Claimant (from a high-achieving professional family) will never live independently or pursue gainful employment, will always lack capacity and be dependent on others. Settlement agreed 3 weeks before trial for a lump sum of £5.4m with a lifetime PPO of £228,000 which, given the Claimant’s residual life expectancy of over 60 years, amounted to a settlement of £19.15m, if capitalised.
Lump sum of £4.237m (including provision for a home swimming pool), and a PPO for care/case management of GBP 285,000 per annum. Cerebral palsy claim at the most severe end of the spectrum of physical and mental deficits, i.e. with very significant cognitive, behavioural and motor disabilities together with epilepsy. Given the 24-year-old Claimant’s life expectancy of a further 50 years, the settlement would otherwise represent a lump sum settlement significantly in excess of £12m.
Complex neonatal claim fixed for 10 day liability trial involving 8 clinical witnesses (2 senior nurses and 6 consultants), and 7 pairs of experts (Paediatric Neurology, Neonatology, Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Microbiology, Otolaryngology, PaediatricNeuroradiology, Paediatric Radiology) re alleged delay in treating Candida albicans (yeast) fungal infection leading to Candida septicaemia and brain microabscesses/acquired brain injury resulting in asymmetric diplegia, learning difficulties, impaired speech and cochlear injury/bilateral deafness. Every issue disputed and complete failure or multiple partial recovery scenarios in play at trial. Settlement approved just before trial for 50% of full damages i.e. claimant would have avoided any acquired brain injury and all neurological/neurodevelopmental and sensorineural hearing impairments. Final award approved just before quantum trial at lump sum of £1.58m and a PPO of £34,000 whilst at college and then £55,000 for life, amounting to £3.5m if capitalised, all at 50%.
Discounted litigation risk/lump sum settlement of £5m with no restrictions on statutory funding in a fiercely disputed claim for a child with severe acquired brain injury, visual impairment and Autism as a result of a delayed diagnosis of Group B streptococcal infection (‘GBS’) and meningitis. Due for trial at the RCJ on all issues of factual evidence and factual and clinical causation with family and clinical witnesses and expert midwifery, paediatric, neonatal and infectious diseases evidence.
Discounted litigation risk/lump sum settlement of £4.75 m in a historical CP claim for a now 26-year-old Claimant against hospital midwifery and clinical staff for the alleged mismanagement of labour during a twin birth. Interesting and complex clinical issues in that the Claimant’s twin sister was born in a healthy condition whilst he now suffers from spastic tetraplegic cerebral palsy. Keenly disputed midwifery, obstetric, neonatology and orthopaedic expert evidence.
Lump sum of £2.38m with a stepped PPO of £50,000 (age 31-32 years), £75,000 (age 32 35 years), £90,000 (age 35-38 years), and £165,000 (from age 38 years for life). Complex historic dyskinetic CP claim involving a Claimant, now 31 years old. Breach of duty/causation disputed on contentious factual and expert evidence (midwifery, obstetric, neurological and neuroradiological). Settlement of 75% of damages to be assessed and subsequently quantum settlement achieved/approved. No Peters undertaking/reverse indemnity re statutory funding.
Lump sum of £1.75m and stepped PPO of £73,000, £118,250, £ 140,250, £182,750 and £160,750 pa from ages 11, 19, 21, 40 and 65 respectively. Birth injury case resulting in dyskinetic CP with mild spasticity and cognitive impairment to the Claimant, now 11 years of age. Issues of unusual deterioration in mobility with advancing age. Seven pairs of experts (neurology, educational psychology, care, OT, physiotherapy, assistive technology, accommodation), plus individual orthopaedic, specialist gait, speech and language therapy and Deputyship/Court of Protection experts. Unusually, annual sums for therapies, holidays and loss of earnings were agreed within the various PPOs on different indices of annual indexation.
£3m and a staged PPO of £45,000 rising to £127,500 pa (Cerebral sinovenous thrombosis leading to spastic diplegic CP with complex issues upon factual events, causation and care/case management needs. Settlement approved).
Discounted litigation risk/lump sum settlement of £4.2m (60%+ of full recovery) with preservation of existing statutory funding. Neonatal brain injury claim against a GP for failing to refer the now 15 years old Claimant when 5 months of age resulting in pneumococcal septicaemia, meningitis and endocarditis leading to asymmetrical quadriplegic CP. Liability and causation keenly disputed through factual witnesses and GP and paediatric experts. Complex issues upon the causal pathway of the pneumococcal septicaemia, namely bacteraemic via the CSF or embolic/endocarditic via the heart via 5 expert disciplines (paediatrics, infectious diseases/microbiology, paediatric neurology, neuroradiology and paediatric cardiology).
Chris is recognised nationally as a leading PI/Clin Neg Silk. Working for leading solicitors all over the country, at any one time he has conduct of multiple catastrophic brain and spinal injury, amputation and CP/neonatal claims to a capitalised value of £30m involving complex clinical, causation and CCG/LA statutory funding issues. Recent awards include a lump sum of £11m and settlements of £4.2m/PPO £285,000, £5.4m/PPO £228,000, £3.6m/PPO £250,000 and £6m/PPO £217,500, and £7.5m/Year 1 PPO £230,000 then £325,000 for life, equivalent to £12m+, £19m+, £12m+ and c£20m and over £30m respectively.
Chris is vastly experienced in conducting complex catastrophic TBI, SCI and amputation claims. He is highly regarded for his approachability in screening cases at an early/pre-expert stage, his attention to detail, compassionate client care, calm, user-friendly, logical and sensitive approach, his tactical expertise and excellent negotiation skills. He regularly speaks to/chairs for Headway, the SIA and AvMA and has spoken on amputation claims at the Pace Rehabilitation (now Dorset Orthopaedic) Annual Conference and on spinal injury litigation at the Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Hospital, Oswestry.
He is a Bencher of Gray’s Inn and, until 2023, was a Crown and County Court Recorder (part time Judge) for over 20 years. Chris is consistently rated as a leading silk in both PI and Clin Neg practice areas in Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500.
Chris has a particular interest in Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence amputation claims and in ongoing prosthetic technology and development. He regularly lectures with prosthetists and other amputation experts and has spoken on amputation claims at the Pace Rehabilitation Annual Conference at the Wellcome Trust in London.
Chris is vastly experienced in conducting complex catastrophic TBI and spinal injury claims. He regularly speaks to/chairs for Headway, the SIA and AvMA and has spoken on amputation claims at the Pace Rehabilitation Annual Conference and on spinal injury litigation at the Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Hospital, Oswestry.
Chris conducts multi-million-pound Fatal Accidents Act claims both in PI and Clinical Negligence, often involving complex issues of law or quantification.
Chris is recognised for his particular expertise in conducting major spinal injury claims, whether those involving failed spinal surgery or delays in diagnoses or traumatic spinal injury but particularly those involving a multiplicity of complex expert evidence (see below). He has substantial experience in the specialist issues pertinent to SCI claims, such as complete v incomplete SCI and autonomic dysreflexia and syrinx. He is keenly aware of the need for lawyers to see a claimant as an individual, not just as another ‘case’ and the concept of facilitation i.e. by care and support, mobility aids and equipment, to support aspiration and maximise quality-of-life.
Chris is regularly involved in training for the SIA and others upon litigating spinal injury claims. In 2018 he lectured upon key issues in spinal injury litigation at a high-profile/multi-disciplinary clinical and therapeutic training day at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital in Oswestry.
Catastrophic RTA TBI to the Claimant, a Romanian who had arrived in the UK 6 weeks earlier to work in agriculture with his brother who, tragically, was killed. Family relocated from Romania and central contention on behalf of the Defendant insurer was that the Claimant should be returned with them to a care and therapeutic regime in Romania (as significantly cheaper than the UK equivalent), as soon as possible. Unusual features were when, having purported to accept a low settlement offer in order to remove the Claimant to Romania, his mother was replaced as litigation friend in a contested hearing and also parallel proceedings in the Court of Protection to determine whether the Claimant had capacity to decide where he wanted to live. The usual experts (12 disciplines) were necessarily supplemented by 3 further disciplines in actuarial, economics and Romanian legal expert evidence in order to determine the economic conditions/trajectory, likely rates of return and legal protections in Romania.
Lump sum only settlement of £11m gross (with, importantly, no restriction upon the Claimant’s ability to claim statutory funding at £200K per annum) approved in October 2023 six weeks before trial (with detailed IFA investment analysis and support) as being overwhelmingly in the Claimant’s best interests in order to secure his future in the UK and/or Romania.
Life changing TBI suffered by Claimant in motorbike RTA with primary liability admitted but contrib a real issue. Competing accident reconstruction experts and clinical, quantum, deputyship and accountancy experts in 10 other disciplines. Approval gained for a lump sum settlement of £3.75m gross as enhanced, in the absence of a Peters undertaking or reverse indemnity, by statutory funding to a potential total of a further £0.75m over the Claimant’s lifetime.
Approved lump sum settlement (with IFA support) of £9.2m for a child RTA TBI sufferer, then 8 years/now 21 years old with severely impaired executive function and behavioural problems with no reverse indemnity for LEA funding for residential college to age 25. Important catastrophic injury/RTA case on the road safety responsibilities of an 8-year-old child and his mother in which allegations of contrib were initially defeated at a split trial. Subsequent settlement viewed by the Court as an excellent one, particularly due to issues around C’s potential to develop greater independence, significantly reducing future care/case management.
‘Whodunnit’ car v motorcyclist catastrophic RTA claim against a fleeing driver in which a post-defence admission of liability from nominated insurers was eventually secured due to Leading and Junior Counsel and Solicitor working to piece together a patchwork of witness, CCTV and vehicle recognition technology. Subsequent approval of lump sum settlement of £2.55m with a PPO of £185,000 (x2) and £163,000 for life. Multiple witness statements, case management and therapeutic documentation and experts reports across 14 disciplines with issues upon life expectancy, care, accommodation and therapeutic input. PPO, statutory funding and reverse indemnity expertise required.
Complex TBI claiminvolving a Libyan national on holiday in the UK. Multi-faceted UK and international expert evidence obtained immigration case run in parallel. Lump sum of £3.625m gross and an unusual and complex PPO of £250,000 pa for care/case management in the UK (lump sum equivalent 12m+), £175,000 pa in Egypt, £125,000 pa in Libya and £110,000 pa in Tunisia.
Lump sum settlement (with IFA support) of £5.15m for a Claimant, now 19 years of age, who suffered a catastrophic TBI when aged 6 1⁄2 years. Approved with IFA support on the basis that, with significant pre-accident special educational needs, an excellent albeit partial recovery from a severe TBI and genuine issues around his varying care needs, some potential residual earning capacity and potentially fluctuating mental capacity, this represented a very good settlement to cater for C’s lifetime needs.
Lump sum of £2.5m and PPO of £230,000 pa (Post-RTA catastrophic brain injury with complex issues around continuity of PCT funding, double recovery and the necessary reverse indemnities).
Lump sum of £2.5m with no Peters undertaking, thereby preserving PCT funding of £68,000 pa (Householder suffering TBI in his garden due to a falling tree branch, liability keenly disputed. Approved settlement based upon assessments of security of CCG/local authority funding and clinical, residential and care needs).
Chris is recognised nationally as a leading PI/Clin Neg Silk. Working for solicitors all over the country, he conducts multiple catastrophic brain and spinal injury, amputation and CP/neonatal claims to a capitalised value of £30m, often involving complex liability, causation, life expectancy, PPO and CCG/LA statutory funding issues.
The Legal Directories consistently identify Chris as a Leading PI/Clin Neg Silk who is highly experienced and intelligent, calm and reassuring, and very good with clients. They emphasise his exceptional attention to detail, ability to grasp the complex points of a case and to explain them clearly and sympathetically in a language that clients understand.
Chris became an Accredited Mediator in 2024 and, until 2023, sat as a Crown and County Court Recorder (part time Judge) for over 20 years.
When sitting as a judge in the County Court Chris dealt with a wide range of cases, including personal injury, building, partnership and commercial disputes, and always placed a premium on common courtesy, respect and seeking to understand the perspectives and priorities of litigants and their legal teams. These principles, along with his experience of acting for both claimants and defendants, inform his role as a Mediator and his ability to anticipate likely judicial approach and, in complex, multi-expert PI/CN cases, valuation. He therefore offers facilitative mediation in all suitable cases and, when appropriate and, if jointly invited by the parties, evaluative mediation in PI/CN cases.
Chris is able to offer excellent mediation facilities free of charge at either his Birmingham or London Chambers. He will also arrange a confidential pre-mediation phone or video call with each side in order to discuss any useful points or priorities.
The case of Elisha Woods published last Friday provides a valuable learning opportunity in CTG interpretation for junior CN lawyers and a useful refresher for…
Chris Bright KC and Stephanie Code of Penningtons Manches Cooper (as assisted by Aline Constan) have achieved a clinical negligence birth injury claim settlement, as…
"Chris is always incredibly courteous. He is a great guy to be against as he really knows what he's doing. He is really experienced and has a high level of expertise."
"He is eloquent, tough yet realistic, and has a great deal of experience in catastrophic claims."
"Chris is very knowledgeable in matters arising from catastrophic injury cases."
"Chris Bright KC is a highly regarded silk who frequently represents both claimants and defendants in diverse and complex instructions. He possesses a wealth of experience in serious brain damage cases including those involving cerebral palsy. His broad expertise covers areas including surgical negligence, obstetrics and delayed diagnosis claims."
"Chris Bright KC regularly assists claimants and defendants with catastrophic injury cases, especially those involving factual and legal complexities such as causation. He also has significant experience in RTA claims."
"Chris is very thorough, approachable and doesn't shy away from a difficult argument."
"Chris is very experienced and is an expert in the field. He puts clients at ease and is very thorough and thoughtful. He scrutinises evidence to ensure maximum benefit to cases and has a collegiate approach to progressing cases as well."
"Chris thoroughly understands what to tackle as a matter of most importance. He is determined and abreast of all the issues."
"Chris has all the qualities expected from an impressive silk. He has excellent client care skills, the ability to deliver difficult advice and has an enviable depth of knowledge. He offers incredible support when dealing with the most complex clients and really is a team player, encouraging those that work with him to excel in their own careers. He offers the safe pair of hands that in difficult litigation you need and does it all with an incredible warmth and humour."
"Chris Bright is highly knowledgeable and excellent in conference."
"He is determined and abreast of all the issues."
"Chris is highly experienced and intelligent. He is also very good with clients." ‘a very intelligent advocate who is able to grasp the complex points of a case’.
"Chris is exceptionally commercially aware and delivers a fantastic client service. He explains things clearly and in a language that clients understand." "He is extremely sympathetic to clients' needs, but can also read his opponent well and delivers robust negotiation strategies."
"Chris' legal knowledge is excellent, and the way he deals with clients is exceptional."
"Chris is thorough in his case preparation and attention to detail. His particular strengths are his management of complex expert evidence and his calm and reassuring manner with clients."
"He is a very good technical barrister." "Chris demonstrates excellent client care." "Chris is extremely thorough and knowledgeable on complex medical and legal issues." "He is an excellent advocate, extremely client-focused and a pleasure to work with." "Chris is an excellent barrister with an eye for detail."
"Chris is extremely thorough and knowledgeable on complex medical and legal issues." "He is an excellent advocate, extremely client-focused and a pleasure to work with."
"Chris has a thorough, and up-to-date understanding of the law applied in a pragmatic way. He has the ability to empathise with clients but also be clear and firm. He has excellent negotiation skills and is a real asset at settlement meetings." "Chris is extremely thorough and knowledgeable on complex medical and legal issues." "He is an excellent advocate, extremely client- focused and a pleasure to work with."
"Chris is very thorough in his case preparation and very approachable. He is able to put clients at ease in conferences. He is also very capable of managing a team of experts."
"Superb with clients - he inspires confidence." "He is a very charming silk and his strength lies in being able to channel numerous complex issues into a coherent argument."
Ranked as a Tier 1 leading Silk in Clinical Negligence.
"A good advocate and a good negotiator. He is also very hard-working and has good judgment." "He has a very clear and thorough manner with clients and is always willing to go the extra mile." "Extremely thorough and knowledgeable about complex medical and legal issues." Chris is consistently rated as a leading silk in both PI and Clin Neg practice areas in Chambers and Partners UK and The Legal 500. In 2024 he was ranked as a Band 1 Personal Injury Silk by Chambers and Partners UK.
"Chris is a first-class advocate, who has a very nice way with the Judge. He is extremely familiar with catastrophic injury cases, in particular those involving amputation."
"Extremely thorough and knowledgeable about complex medical and legal issues."
"Absolutely first class. He's very experienced and incredibly approachable." "Very thorough and has good attention to detail." "He is always well prepared and will fight tooth and nail for his clients."
"Very knowledgeable, communicative and excellent with clients."
"Absolutely first class. He’s very experienced and incredibly approachable." "Very thorough and has good attention to detail." "He is always well prepared and will fight tooth and nail for his clients."
"Always extremely well-prepared and on top of all the issues.”
"Strong on catastrophic injury cases and spinal cord injuries in particular." "Always extremely well-prepared and on top of all the issues."
"A very approachable QC with a sensible, down-to-earth approach to complex issues." "He is very thorough, technical and great with clients." "His attention to detail is excellent and he never makes any mistakes."
"He has a brain the size of a planet." "He is very thorough and very technically accurate." "Tactically astute and a poised advocate." "A very approachable QC with a sensible, down-to earth approach to complex issues." "He is very thorough, technical and great with clients." "His attention to detail is excellent and he never makes any mistakes."
The case of Elisha Woods published last Friday provides a valuable learning opportunity in CTG interpretation for junior CN lawyers and a useful refresher for…
Chris Bright KC and Stephanie Code of Penningtons Manches Cooper (as assisted by Aline Constan) have achieved a clinical negligence birth injury claim settlement, as…
