John has wide experience of claims arising from obstetric and gynaecological cases across the full range of value. These are sensitive and often tragic in nature.
John’s current workload includes many similar cases to those described below, including shoulder dystocia claims, wrongful births, stillbirth and severe maternal bladder/pelvic injury cases.
John is consistently recommended in the directories and has in recent years achieved Top Ranked status from Chambers UK Bar and Leading Individual Tier 1 status from Legal 500.
Recommendations
"John’s strengths are his attention to detail, practical advice, and view of the bigger picture. He is a fantastic advocate, calm and measured whilst getting his points across skillfully. He is also very good with witnesses, putting them at ease and very approachable. Overall, he is a very safe pair of hands."
Legal 500 2023 - Clinical Negligence
“He is responsive, meticulous in his written work and unflappable in court.”
Chambers UK 2022 - Clinical Negligence
“Fantastic level of attention to detail, excellent client care skills and sublime advocacy skills at Trial or hearing. One of the best in his field.”
Legal 500 2022 - Clinical Negligence
“A very insightful barrister - he is calm, measured and gets to the heart of issues quickly.” “An undoubted talent. His advice is first-class and he can be relied upon to produce the very best results possible, regardless of value and complexity. He is an extremely talented advocate and his attention to detail is second to none.”
Chambers UK 2021 - Clinical Negligence
“A formidable advocate with razor-sharp knowledge and excellent client care skills with catastrophically injured clients.”
Legal 500 2021 - Clinical Negligence
“He is an absolutely standout barrister who can turn around any kind of case.” “He is able to advise clients in very technical issues in a concise, straightforward manner.” “He has a brilliant manner with clients and has an aura which makes all of those involved feel at ease.”
Chambers UK 2020
“An extremely diligent barrister with a keen eye for the details.”
Legal 500 2020
Notable Cases
SA v UHBNHST [2020] EWHC 3384 QB
Acting for Defendant at Trial and in High Court appeal covering many aspects of the law on limitation, including detailed analysis of the application of the s.33 discretion in clinical negligence cases
MK v WAHNHST [May 2020]
Acting for Claimant in case arising from mismanagement of post-natal bladder distension resulting in life-changing urological symptoms and pain syndrome. Settled at JSM for damages of £2.1m
AK v UHLNHST [Sep 2019]
Acting for Claimant in obstetric brachial plexus injury, liability denied but resolved mid-litigation at JSM for damages of £950,000
EW v South Warwickshire NHSFT (December 2018)
Acting alone for the Claimant in a case involving catastrophic maternal obstetric injury, resulting in significant bladder and pituitary gland damage. Case resolved shortly after JSM against silk for 1.6m
JP (a minor) v Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHSFT (February 2018)
Acting for the Claimant in an obstetric brachial plexus injury case, where liability was established applying Montgomery consent principles of consent and an 800,000 settlement achieved
LH v RUH Bath NHST (September 2017)
Acting for Claimant in obstetric brachial plexus injury claim. Liability disputed and claim settled shortly after JSM for 200,000
FL v Burton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (April 2017)
Along with Leading Counsel, acting for the Claimant in a spina bifida wrongful birth claim, settled at JSM shortly before Trial for damages of 1m
LP (a minor) v University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHST (April 2015)
Succeeded at Trial on behalf of Claimant infant who sustained facial injury from misapplication of birth forceps
Re H and T (IVF Wales) (Sunday Times, 14th June 2009)
Advising Claimants in relation to settlement of claim on behalf of parents where frozen embryo aborted after mistakenly being placed into another patient.
Carver v BAA [2008] EWCA Civ 412
Appearing below and in the Court of Appeal in controversial case relating to Part 36 Offers
Collins v Tesco [2003] EWCA Civ 1308
Court of Appeal guidance in relation to the approach to knowledge under Limitation Act 1980 s.14
Appointments
Queen’s Counsel (forthcoming, 2021)
Director and Member of Chambers Management Committee, No5 Barristers’ Chambers
Advocacy Trainer, Midland Circuit
Memberships
Midland Circuit
Personal Injuries Bar Association
AvMA
Qualifications
BCL (Oxon) 1998
LLB (Hons) (Bris) 1997
