Charles Austin
UK Bar Guide 2025
Band 3 : Clinical Negligence
Band 3
About
Provided by Charles Austin
Practice Areas
Charles has a fast developing clinical negligence practice. From a family background of medicine and nursing, he grew up with an awareness of medical practice and the issues involved. Undertaking work for both claimants and defendants he has extensive experience in clinical negligence litigation, including birthing defects, gynaecological cases, delayed diagnosis of cancer, surgical negligence, Accident & Emergency cases and avoidable stroke. Cases involving congenital heart defects have figured significantly in his practice.
Charles retains an academic interest in the law regularly lecturing and writing.
Recent and ongoing cases include:
• Acting on behalf of a Claimant suffering from severe brain damage alleged to be the result of negligently performed cardiac surgery necessitated by a congenital heart defect. The claim will likely exceed £5million.
• Acting on behalf of a Claimant who suffered a delayed diagnosis of slipped femoral epiphysis. Value in excess of £2million.
• Acting on behalf of a Claimant who suffered Cauda Equina Syndrome due to negligently performed surgery.
• Representing the Defendant on a breast cancer recurrence case. A complicating feature of the case is that the Claimant was born near Chornobyl.
• Represented the Defendant on a delayed diagnosis of cancer recurrence. Pleaded in excess of £2million. The Claimant discontinued before trial due to issues of fundamental dishonesty.
• Representing the Defendant on a secondary victims claim. The deceased died of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. The Claimant alleges his Tourette Syndrome was exacerbated as a result of the negligence. Pleaded in excess of £1.5million.
Chambers Review
UK Bar
Charles Austin is noted for his ability to handle a broad range of matters, including cases arising from allegations of negligent surgery, breaches of duty and delays in diagnosis. He acts on behalf of both claimants and defendants.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Charles is good on the papers, very good at defence drafting and really understands the medicine so his pleadings are top quality. His understanding of the medicine is a key aspect of his skill."
"Charles is great on thorny cases and a robust negotiator."
"Charles is confident, extremely user-friendly, flexible and understands the risks of the NHS. He has a great bedside manner with the witnesses. He's pithy and straightforward."
"Charles is good on the papers, very good at defence drafting and really understands the medicine so his pleadings are top quality. His understanding of the medicine is a key aspect of his skill."
"Charles is great on thorny cases and a robust negotiator."
"Charles is confident, extremely user-friendly, flexible and understands the risks of the NHS. He has a great bedside manner with the witnesses. He's pithy and straightforward."