Personal Injury

9 St John Street is a highly regarded set on the Northern Circuit, and its members are regularly instructed to act for both claimants and defendants, including several insurers and public bodies, in complex catastrophic and fatal injury cases. The additional areas of expertise for the team include industrial disease matters and employers' liability claims. The set is also noted for its expert handling of cases arising from RTAs, and its barristers are frequently called upon to handle claims involving allegations of fraud. Instructing solicitors praise the set's depth of quality, stating "it's my go-to set for complex and high value matters due to the strong individuals, from newly called barristers up to KC." Recent instructions include successfully representing the defendant in Bennion vs Adventure Parc Snowdonia, which turned on the scope of the duty of an occupier to a visitor who is engaged in what both know to be an activity with risk.

Tony Morrissey is the Senior Clerk.

"The clerks, in particular Phillip Spencer, are excellent and always willing to assist me with matters and finding me available barristers at short notice."

"The turnaround of a response on an email is very good, from Phillip especially."

"One of our preferred chambers in Manchester and the North, the clerking team is top-notch."

"The clerks are always very approachable and responsive."

"I really rate their clerking; in particular practice manager Joe Gibson is really very helpful indeed. He really goes out of his way above and beyond - a leading clerk."

Brian McCluggage is a specialist personal injury and insurance practitioner with a strong track record of acting in high-value catastrophic injury claims. He is very familiar with cases that concern amputations, psychological damage and chronic pain conditions, and also acts in matters involving allegations of fraud or dishonesty. He is regularly instructed in claims where liability is in dispute. "He is extremely good with expert witnesses and in trial he is completely compelling. He also makes things accessible for clients. I really rate him." "Brian is a top notch barrister and is destined to become a KC in the future." "Brian is exceptional. He is operating at KC level and indeed, is frequently up against KCs on the other side. I have absolute confidence in his advice. One of the best senior juniors on the circuit." "He has a great grasp of complex issues and commercial acumen and is instructed on cases which have unusual features or are high value." "Brian's CV is full of impressive trial successes." "Brian is technically excellent. The best senior junior in the market."

Christopher Kennedy KC principally represents defendants, often on significantly high-value claims, though he also undertakes claimant work. His caseload encompasses catastrophic brain injury, RTAs, industrial disease and fatal accidents. "He's approachable and easy to work with as well as thorough, detailed and technically excellent." "His appointment as a Deputy High Court Judge did not surprise anyone! He has an excellent reputation, he's technically excellent and gives clear advice. A formidable technician." "Always a pleasure to work with because of his skilled preparation and efficient turnaround of papers. He has an ability to absorb vast amounts of information quickly and unmatched advocacy." "Chris Kennedy is one of the most talented silks I have had the pleasure of working with. He is meticulous, approachable and always goes above and beyond." "One of the leading KCs in the region. He delivers meticulous preparation on every case he handles. He is one of the first choices when you have a complex and high-value case."

Matthew Snarr focuses his practice on personal injury and health and safety matters, with considerable expertise in employment liability claims and cases concerning systemic fraud. He has significant advocacy experience at both trial and appellate levels, and regularly acts for clients in high-value claims. "An excellent advocate who is technically excellent, very approachable and commercially aware." "Matthew is a brilliant advocate who is incredibly smart. He's always my first choice." "His enthusiasm for cases is infectious. His preparation is always meticulous and he knows which issues to fight and those which should be left alone." "Matthew Snarr is excellent and an all-rounder in terms of his advocacy and written skills, commercial awareness and client service. He also gets to grips with complex issues very quickly." "His intellect means he can get to grips with cases from the outset. He is extremely hard-working and always well prepared."

Ian Little is a highly respected barrister who acts predominantly for claimants. He regularly represents trade unions in employment liability cases concerning industrial accident and disease claims. He also handles a substantial volume of RTA and clinical negligence matters.

Julie-Anne Luck appears for both claimants and defendants in complex personal injury matters. She has strong expertise in handling cases involving brain damage and other serious injuries. "Her advice and pleadings are detailed and well thought-out and she has a very good manner with clients. She is also always on-hand to provide informal advice." "She is approachable, easy to work with, thorough and detailed." "Julie-Anne Luck is a methodical barrister who cannot be caught off guard and always has a strong grasp of the issues in her cases." "She is thorough, fantastic at drafting pleadings and dealing with interlocutory. Very good in a trial, she has a good way dealing with witnesses and getting her case across." "Julie Anne is able to get to grips with complex issues very quickly. She is thorough, approachable, a pleasure to work with and has an eye for detail."

Zoë Thompson is a well-regarded junior operating in the personal injury field. She has extensive experience in cases involving catastrophic injury and chronic pain disorders, as well as brain and spinal cord injuries. "I cannot speak highly enough of Zoë. We have always had good results on increasingly large cases, due to her strong technical knowledge, commercial sense and hard work." "She's tenacious and always cuts through any nonsense to get to the desired outcome."

Chris Taft acts for claimants and defendants in complex personal injury claims arising from accidents on the road and at work. He is also noted for his expertise in occupiers' liability claims. He is regularly instructed in high-value cases and matters involving allegations of fraud. "Chris has a wealth of experience and is very efficient. He is especially popular with clients due to the ease at which he talks to them and relates to their situations." "His conference notes are extremely detailed and he is approachable and contactable whenever needed. He is liked by clients and provides firm but fair advice when required." "Chris is approachable, has an excellent client manner and is thoroughly prepared."

Joseph Mulderig has expertise in matters concerning RTA related injury, chronic pain, and spinal injury for claimants at high value. He is also experienced in handling matters relating to whiplash injury. "I have been impressed with his speed of service, the quality of advice, and the results he has achieved for me on some difficult applications." "Joe is a great barrister who has a good attention to detail and makes clients feel at ease."

Michael O'Neill specialises in dealing with serious personal injury claims. He is well versed in handling severe orthopaedic injury cases and fatalities. O'Neill is instructed on behalf of both claimants and defendants. "An extremely easy-to-work-with barrister, instructing solicitors feel they are part of his team. He's exceptional with lay witnesses and experts and takes a calm and measured approach." "Michael is extremely well prepared and brings a level of reassurance that he won't miss a detail. He's very good in conference and excellent with witnesses and experts alike."