Wed, 28 Jul 2010
Paul Bleasdale QC has been elected as the new Head of Chambers at No5 Chambers, following the tragic loss of Ralph Lewis QC, who sadly died following a battle with cancer earlier this month.
Mr Bleasdale, who was called to the Bar in 1978 and appointed Silk in 2001, has been a Deputy Head of No5 since 2007, when Ralph Lewis QC was elected head. Rex Tedd QC and Ian Dove QC both continue in their respective roles as deputy heads of chambers.
Paul Bleasdale QC has had a successful career since joining No5 Chambers in 1980. He has gained a reputation as a formidable advocate. He has 30 years' experience of personal injury and clinical negligence cases acting for both claimants and defendants as junior counsel and in Silk. He has had a particular interest in industrial disease cases e.g. deafness; repetitive strain injuries; vibration white finger; industrial asthma; dermatitis; workplace stress and asbestos related disease. In Silk, he has acquired extensive experience of different catastrophic injury cases including brain damage and fatal accident claims attracting awards or settlements of very high value.
Commenting on his election, Paul Bleasdale QC said: “I am honoured and privileged to have been elected as the new head and aim to build on the outstanding work that Ralph Lewis QC did on behalf of No5 Chambers. Through Ralph’s leadership we have prospered and become a highly successful and forward thinking set, both nationally and internationally. It saddens me to be taking over as head in such tragic circumstances. Ralph was a not only a trusted colleague but also a close friend. ”
