Travel: International Personal Injury
UK Bar Guide 2025 : London (Bar)
Band 1
About
Provided by Outer Temple Chambers
Our specialist Travel Law barristers advise on all manner of cross-border legal issues and are experts in jurisdiction and applicable law. We advise on the correct approach to obtaining and using foreign law expert evidence, including as it relates to assessment of damages. We act for claimants and defendants.
We handle a wide variety of cases, including:
- Package travel claims
- Vehicle accidents abroad
- Direct claims against insurers
- Athens Convention claims
- Group actions
Our work often crosses over with our other specialisms, such as clinical negligence, product liability, commercial, and sports law. We are also experts in aviation claims, including PI actions under the Montreal Convention and liability arising from aircraft crashes.
Recent cases:
- Brownlie v FS Cairo (Nile Plaza) LLC, Supreme Court decision on meaning of the tort gateway and the application of the “default rule” on proof of foreign law.
- Moreno v MIB, Supreme Court decision on correct approach to the assessment of damages in a claim arising from a RTA in Greece caused by an uninsured driver.
- Cox v Ergo, Supreme Court decision on correct approach to the assessment of damages in a fatal accident claim under German law.
- Johnson v Berentzen, the scope of article 15(h) of Rome II.
- Herlihy v MoD, spinal cord injury claim sustained in California.
- ABC v AXA France, claim under French law for £18m with 35 expert witnesses.
- O’Loan v MIB & AIG Europe, RTA in France involving issues under Article 4(3) of Rome II.
Chambers Review
Outer Temple Chambers is a "well-respected travel set" housing "strong and experienced barristers with a wealth of knowledge" experienced in the handling of complex and high-value international personal injury matters. Members act on behalf of both claimants and defendants, and are regularly instructed in catastrophic injury claims arising from sporting accidents and foreign RTAs. Additional areas of expertise for the team include group actions, cases involving the Warsaw or Montreal Conventions, package travel claims and disputes concerning tour operator liability. The set's barristers are also adept at advising on jurisdiction and the application of foreign law. Recent work highlights include Lunn v Antarctic Logistics Centre Inc. concerning the interpretation of habitual residence post-Brexit.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They have a great clerking team. Practice director Paul Barton is a real joy to work with and very helpful."
"The clerks are approachable and efficient."
"The clerks are excellent."
"They have a great clerking team. Practice director Paul Barton is a real joy to work with and very helpful."
"The clerks are approachable and efficient."
"The clerks are excellent."
Notable Practitioners
Sarah Crowther KC receives extensive praise from market commentators for displaying excellent client skills alongside expertise in technical points of law. She regularly undertakes complex cross-border claims that hinge on issues of jurisdiction, MIB responsibility and package travel regulations. She has established an impressive profile in fatality and catastrophic injury cases, representing both claimants and defendants.
"It's so reassuring to have Sarah on our team. You can rely on her advice and she is completely thorough."
"She is formidable both on paper and in court."
"She puts clients at ease and provides a lot of support."
Daniel Clarke handles a broad range of international personal injury claims and has expertise in package travel and the Athens and Montreal Conventions. He represents seriously and catastrophically injured claimants in direct actions against foreign insurers, airlines and tour operators. He also regularly acts for defendants and is experienced in the handling of cases involving foreign law.
"Daniel is very good with clients and very patient."
"Daniel Clarke is a fount of knowledge in the private international law arena and is a pleasure to work with."
Eliot Woolf KC is widely regarded as a top choice for gastric illness claims, in which he primarily represents claimants. He has a robust track record of leading large-scale group actions against tour operators, travel agents and hotels. A number of his cases involve complex jurisdictional points. He is also well regarded for his handling of claims stemming from RTAs and work-related accidents abroad.
"He is an elegant orator and puts clients at ease. He is completely reassuring."
"Eliot is very impressive. His drafting skills are excellent."
Gerard McDermott KC is visible in complex, high-value cross-border claims relating to RTAs and outdoor pursuits, often dealing with claims concerning catastrophic brain and spinal injury. He is highlighted for his understanding of Rome II, and advises on quantum and applicable law issues both in Europe and further afield.
"He has so much experience under his belt and doesn't shy away from big numbers. He has the confidence and gravitas to take big cases forward and is wonderful to deal with."
Ian Denham is an experienced barrister with noted expertise in cross-border personal injury claims. He is particularly well regarded for his representation of major tour operators in holiday gastric illness cases. He is also adept at handling matters involving a jurisdictional dispute.
"He is one of the safest pairs of hands."
"Ian is always ahead of the latest issues and ready to deploy them in legal argument."
"Ian is very good with clients, easy to work with and very approachable."
Aliyah Akram is a talented personal injury barrister with recognised expertise in complex cross-border litigation and package travel claims. She has experience acting for both claimants and defendants in claims arising from serious RTAs, maritime accidents and cosmetic tourism claims. She is routinely instructed in cases involving complex jurisdiction issues.
"Aliyah is robust and tenacious, with a strong understanding approach of the law which she couples with a pragmatic approach to strategy."
"Aliyah is an approachable and accomplished barrister."
"She is great to work with and is sympathetic and clear with lay clients."
Carin Hunt is a highly regarded junior noted for her expertise in claimant-side international personal injury claims. This includes package travel claims and international medical negligence claims.
"Carin is a brilliant junior and forms good relationships with clients."
"Her attention to detail is first class, and clients always feel in very safe hands."
Ranked Barristers at
Outer Temple Chambers
Silks (KC)
London (Bar)
Juniors
London (Bar)
Members
Provided by Outer Temple Chambers