Christopher Wilson-Smith QC

Transcription

1 Christopher Wilson-Smith QC Year of call Silk Christopher Wilson-Smith s practice covers personal injury, often compounded by breaches of duty in healthcare following the initial trauma; clinical negligence; and serious crime, primarily involving corporate manslaughter and health and safety cases. In clinical negligence Christopher acts for claimants and defendants (NHSLA), often involving babies with birth injuries and often compounded by breaches of duty in healthcare following the initial trauma. Across the legal directories he is listed as a leader in personal injury and clinical negligence. His clients say this of him: He is always well prepared and his conduct of conferences with experts and joint settlement meetings is exceptional. He shows great skill in identifying the important and relevant issues. One of the best cross-examiners in the business, he is an outstanding advocate with finely tuned judgment. His larger than life character and bluff amiability disguise his sharp forensic skills honed over many years in both criminal and civil cases of the highest order giving him an ability to see through to the real issues and address them quickly and effectively. His ability to turn around a set of papers in short order is testament to his considerable work ethic and yet his eye for detail often catches out the unwary or ill-prepared. Christopher became a Recorder of the Crown Court (civil and crime) in 1977 and Master of Bench Gray s Inn in He was also admitted as QC to the Bar of New South Wales in Global Market Square,, UAE NY International Financial Centre, UAE 1

2 Clinical Negligence Cases Chloe Dolby (by litigation friend Amber Dolby) v University Hospital of Leicester NHS Trust Cerebral Palsy case, Multimillion compensation claim successfully argued. Client: Emma Zukowska, Senior Associate, Barratt Goff Tomlinson [Recommended in Chambers & Partners 2015]. Simon Barnett v Medway NHS Trust Kent A misdiagnosis and failure to discover a spinal abscess leading to paralysis. Client: Robert Dransfield, Partner, Stewarts Law [Recommended in Chambers & Partners 2015]. Martha Richardson-Rudd (by litigation friend Helen Richardson) v Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Cerebral Palsy case, child has terrible injuries and a massive dependency. Client: Alison Eddy, Partner, Irwin Mitchell [Recommended in Chambers & Partners 2015]. Maria Michael v Barnet & Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust A Cerebral Palsy case, over 10 years, Multimillion claim. Liability and quantum eventually compromised, although challenged. Client: Claire Stoneman, Partner, Foot Anstey [Recommended in Chambers & Partners 2015]. Paula Maxfield v Medway NHS Trust and Kings College NHS Foundation Trust Spinal injury, Multiple millions compensation, complex liabilities and quantum compromised. Client: Charles Edwards, Associate, Stewarts Law, [Star Associate in Chambers & Partners 2015]. Global Market Square,, UAE NY International Financial Centre, UAE 2

3 Personal Injury Cases Jay Young v SGA Productions Limited A gymnast, unsupervised, fracture of spine, paralysis case Multimillion claim, liability and quantum compromised. Client: Damian Horan, Senior Partner, Moore Blatch [Recommended in Chambers & Partners 2015]. Sarah Thomas v James Baker & Insurance Commission of Western Australia Road Traffic Accident in Australia, paralysis Multimillion claim complications in assessment of damages, differences as to whether Australian or UK jurisdictions apply. Client: Julian Chamberlayne, Partner, Stewarts Law [Recommended in Chambers & Partners 2015]. Liam Blake v Mitchell Knight A Multimillion quadriplegic paralysis case, road traffic accident. Client: Andrew Dinsmore, Partner, Stewarts Law [Recommended in Chambers & Partners 2015]. Robert Croden v Frank Redman Road Traffic Accident, paralysis, suggestion was the defendant was trying to murder the claimant, now dropped. Liability should now be resisted on the basis of criminal activity. Client: Paul Paxton, Partner, Stewarts Law [Recommended in Chambers & Partners 2015]. June Vann (Martin Vann (deceased)) v Ocidental Companhia de Seguros s.a. Road Traffic Accident with dreadful injuries caused to the father causing death, injuries to other members of the family including the mother who sustained brain injuries. Overseas case complicates level of damages claimed. Client: Demetrius Danas, Partner, Irwin Mitchell [Recommended in Chambers & Partners 2015]. Global Market Square,, UAE NY International Financial Centre, UAE 3

4 Appointments & Memberships Western Circuit CBA CLBA COMBAR APIL PNBA AvMA Global Market Square,, UAE NY International Financial Centre, UAE 4

5 Awards Chambers & Partners Lifetime Achievement Award (2015) Global Market Square,, UAE NY International Financial Centre, UAE 5

6 Recommendations Global Market Square,, UAE NY International Financial Centre, UAE 6

7 Testimonials Despite his years of experience and high intellect, he is approachable and has an excellent way of managing difficult and challenging issues. Personal Injury, Chambers & Partners 2019 One of the most experienced clinical negligence silks. He has great attention to detail and he is also very good with clients. Clinical Negligence, Chambers & Partners 2019 A real character at the Bar, he is enormously experienced, seemingly tireless and has great attention to detail. Personal Injury, Legal He is excellent at the forensic detail in cases and is a formidable negotiator at settlement meetings. Clinical Negligence, Legal He was just a huge support. He worked extremely hard and was always available when I needed him. He is also very good with clients. Clinical Negligence, Chambers & Partners 2018 Excellent in the courtroom. Sharp as a tack. Clinical Negligence, Chambers & Partners 2018 One of the best cross-examiners in the business. He remains an outstanding advocate whose judgement is finely tuned. Personal Injury, Chambers & Partners 2018 Absolutely 100% behind clients and prepared to go the extra mile and a whole lot more to protect clients interests. Phenomenal commitment and work ethic. A real bonus to any legal team. Personal Injury, Chambers & Partners 2018 He has vast experience and is a very skilled negotiator. Clinical Negligence, Personal Injury, Legal An excellent advocate on his feet. Personal Injury, Chambers & Partners 2017 He s excellent: excellent judgement, extremely hard worker, does what needs to be done. Personal Injury, Chambers & Partners 2017 He is simply phenomenal. His ability to grasp the facts within seconds and cross-examine astutely is a prized skill. Clinical Negligence, Chambers & Partners 2017 There is nothing that he has not seen or is capable of not dealing with. Personal Injury, Legal 500 Global Market Square,, UAE NY International Financial Centre, UAE 7

8 2016 Forensic in his approach to claims, decisive and very user-friendly. Clinical Negligence, Legal Christopher Wilson-Smith QC has the gravitas and experience to handle the most serious and complex injury claims. Christopher combines in Court advocacy of the very highest level, including unrivalled cross-examination skills, with a very powerful and effective style when it comes to negotiating settlements. He is, quite rightly, a legend. Personal Injury, Chambers & Partners 2016 His ability to explain to a client the complexities of their case whilst simultaneously fighting their corner tooth and nail is second to none. Quite simply, he is a force to be reckoned with and one that you want on your side. Personal Injury, Chambers & Partners 2016 Christopher Wilson-Smith has a reputation, rightly, for providing a level of advocacy which is beyond compare. Clinical Negligence, Chambers & Partners 2016 One of the best cross-examiners in the business, he is an outstanding advocate with finely tuned judgement. A very good advocate and negotiator. Personal Injury, Chambers & Partners 2015 He is always well prepared and his conduct of conferences with experts and joint settlement meetings is exceptional. He shows great skill in identifying the important and relevant issues. Clinical Negligence, Chambers & Partners 2015 He coaxes, teases and humbles expert witnesses in a manner that is admired by all. Personal Injury, Legal A force to be reckoned with; he is as sharp as a nail and really fights his clients corner. Clinical Negligence, Legal He s an absolutely outstanding advocate and in terms of being able to consider tactically where the other side will go, he s always spot-on. He s an excellent advocate when it comes to crossexamination. Personal Injury, Chambers & Partners 2014 He is really good at focusing on the key issues in a case. He is also excellent in conference and always takes control when there are a large number of experts. Clinical Negligence, Chambers & Partners 2014 An excellent choice for catastrophic personal injury work. Personal Injury, Legal Global Market Square,, UAE NY International Financial Centre, UAE 8

9 A force to be reckoned with. Clinical Negligence, Legal Go-to counsel Christopher Wilson-Smith QC is tenacious and pugnacious in court and inspires confidence with his legendary cross-examination. Personal Injury, Chambers & Partners 2013 A go-to silk for difficult cases. Personal Injury, Legal Christopher Wilson-Smith QC is always willing to put himself out. Clinical Negligence, Legal Christopher Wilson-Smith QC delivers advocacy of the very highest level and has unrivalled crossexamination skills. Personal Injury, Legal Christopher Wilson-Smith QC is a trial silk you want on your side to scare off the opposition. He provides great attention to detail and tactical advice, whilst also being superb in settlement negotiations. Clinical Negligence, Chambers & Partners 2012 Global Market Square,, UAE NY International Financial Centre, UAE 9