Stephen's practice consists predominantly of high-value Personal Injury litigation, Fatal Accidents and Clinical Negligence claims. He regularly deals with multi-million pound cases for claimants in his own right and as a junior to Stephen Killalea QC and Robert Weir QC.
He has extensive expertise in catastrophic injury work dealing with:
Stephen has a wealth of experience of cases involving ‘non-organic’ symptoms following injury (such as CRPS, non-epileptic attack disorder, functional gastroparesis and functional hemiplegia).
His clinical negligence work includes the reported case of Schembri v Marshall [2020] EWCA (Civ) 358 in the Court of Appeal.
His fatal accident case-load includes travel (at home and abroad), disease, including legionella in care homes, diving accidents and RTAs. This work has led to Stephen accumulating extensive experience of coroners’ inquests, including jury inquests and Article 2 cases.
Stephen has vast experience of cases involving illness abroad.
In addition, Stephen has experience of all aspects of the law of costs (including solicitor-client assessments) and appears in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. His costs work involves party-party disputes, solicitor-client assessments and Court of Protection deputy assessments. The interface between costs and personal injury in his practice makes him ideal for hearings and advice involving costs budgeting and CCMCs.
Stephen has experience of Human Rights work in the High Court, Coroner’s Court and Court of Protection in cases concerning deprivation of liberty.
Acts for claimants in complex catastrophic injury and fatal accident claims. He is also well regarded for his handling of cases involving serious orthopaedic injuries and chronic pain. He is able to draw on his significant expertise in costs law when advising on high-value personal injury claims. "He is amazingly obliging and works well in a team. He produces excellent quality work and is technically very good." "An excellent advocate who is really sharp in pleadings and his written work is impressive." - Personal Injury, Chambers UK 2022.
"He brings a calmness to the case and it is clear he is a hard working and very clever barrister." - Personal Injury, Legal 500 2022.
Acts for claimants in complex catastrophic injury and fatal accident claims. He is also well regarded for his handling of cases involving serious orthopaedic injuries and chronic pain. He is able to draw on his significant expertise in costs law when advising on high-value personal injury claims. "A good team player." "A very skilled advocate." Acted for a claimant who suffered a serious head injury when she was mugged and assaulted - Personal Injury, Chambers UK 2021
‘Knows how to talk to opponents and set out a client's case forcefully but without alienating opponents.’ - Personal Injury, Legal 500 2021
‘He builds a great rapport with clients and takes a very sensible approach.’ - Personal Injury, Legal 500 2020
‘Key counsel who is extremely good in the field.’ - Personal Injury, Industrial Disease and Insurance Fraud, Legal 500 2019
"He has an exceptional manner with clients and quickly gains their confidence" - Personal Injury, Legal 500 2017
"A top-class barrister." - Legal 500 2016
"His manner with clients is superb, leaving the client in no doubt that their case is very important to him." - Personal Injury, Legal 500 2015
Stephen is one of only 30 junior barristers recommended by the Spinal Injuries Associations on its approved list of catastrophic injury barristers.
Stephen regularly represents seriously injured Claimants in the High Court and the County Courts. He undertakes CFA work and frequently travels to meet claimants all over the country. He has a wealth of experience in drafting large schedules and is a member of APIL and PIBA.
He has extensive experience of drafting, advisory and court work in all aspects of personal injury for Defendants.
Notable cases include:
Ongoing notable cases include:
Stephen’s clinical negligence practice has a particular emphasis on complex and high-value fatal cases. He deals with claims against hospitals and GPs.
Examples of recent cases include:
Ongoing cases include:
Stephen also has extensive experience of coroners' inquests. These include:
Stephen accepts instructions in solicitors' negligence and all aspects of clinical and dental negligence.
He is a member of the PNBA.
Stephen has experience of advising ATE insurers in relation to funding proposals relating to high-value litigation
Qualified arbitrator for PIcARBS
PIBA (Executive Committee Member)
PNBA
First Class degree in Jurisprudence, Oriel College Oxford
Stephen is a proud father, a prodigious reader of modern fiction, an inept cricketer and an avid follower of Liverpool Football Club