Ben has notable experience handling cases concerning psychological injury and catastrophic spinal injury, and RTAs. He is excellent with clients and extremely knowledgeable. ‘Ben is excellent at getting to the important issues and finding a way through the minefield of liability issues.’ “

Chambers UK 2024, Personal Injury

Ben is a specialist personal injury barrister widely recognised for his work representing claimants and defendants in serious injury claims. He also spends some of his time sitting as a Crown Court judge, having been appointed to the office of Recorder by the King in May 2023.

He has for many years been ranked as a leading junior in the major legal directories on the strength of his clients’ endorsements. They say that he is “user friendly and approachable”, “provides a high standard of technical advice”, and “combines great client care skills with tactical nous”.

Well regarded as a trial advocate and a fair but robust negotiator, Ben is noted for his down-to-earth and sensitive approach with clients and families who find themselves involved in litigation after life-changing injuries. He likes to work with his instructing solicitors in an inclusive manner, managing cases as a team, and working collaboratively with opposing parties wherever possible.

Specialisms include:

  • Orthopaedic polytrauma
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Severe internal injuries
  • Provisional damages
  • Fatal accidents and life-shortening injuries, including claims for lost years
  • Psychiatric harm arising from historic sexual abuse
  • Cauda equina syndrome
  • Vulnerable road users such pedestrians, cyclists, and young children
  • Construction site and agricultural accidents
  • Defective Premises/Occupiers’ Liability Act claims involving trespassers
  • Complex issues of causation or quantum
  • Sensitive allegations of fraud or fundamental dishonesty

Ben provides training in his areas of expertise to firms of solicitors and specialist organisations. He was recently ask to speak with Christopher Sharp KC at The Brain Injury Group’s annual child brain injury seminar to an audience including claimant and defendant catastrophic injury lawyers, Court of Protection lawyers, insurers, experts, charity workers, case managers and other health and social care professionals.

Ben has had several articles published in industry-leading publications including APIL’s ‘PI Focus’ and the Bar Counsel’s ‘Counsel’ Magazine. He is a regular contributor to Chambers’ Personal Injury Podcast, speaking on topics including provisional damages, employers’ liability, and lost years claims.

Directory Quotes

Ben combines a forensic approach to the evidence whilst taking into account broader issues in a case. He provides excellent advice on strategy and is a reliable and reassuring presence. He is also a resourceful and highly adaptable advocate.”

The Legal 500 2024, Personal Injury

Ben acts for claimants and defendants in complex catastrophic injury cases. ‘His advice is clear and focused.’ ‘ Ben is a very approachable advocate.’ ‘He handles complex cases with aplomb.’ “

Chambers UK 2023, Personal Injury

Ben is very astute and gets to the heart of the issue straight away. He is a details man, yet he communicates in a very clear and concise manner, which enables all concerned to focus on the core issues. He is a very personable barrister.”

Legal 500 2023, Personal Injury

Ben is excellent with clients and provides a high standard of technical advice. He is practical, clear in his views and an excellent communicator with instructing solicitors.”

Chambers UK 2022, Personal Injury

Ben is very client focused, keen to find solutions, user-friendly and approachable.”

Legal 500 2022, Personal Injury

Quick to get to the crux of the issue, mindful of the bigger picture, provides pragmatic advice, adds significant value to the cases he works on and excellent to work with.”

Legal 500 2021, Personal Injury

Seminars & Events

  • Qualifications & awards:

    • LLB Law (First Class Hons), University of Manchester (2007), Bar Vocational Course MMU (2008)
    • University of Manchester R.G. Lawson prizes in Law, Medicine & Ethics; Constitutional Reform and Mental Health Law (2007)
  • Professional memberships:

    • Personal Injury Bar Association (PIBA)
    • Action Against Medical Accidents (AvMA)
    • Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL)
  • Additional information:

    In his free time Ben loves anything sport-related. He has run marathons in Liverpool, Paris (twice), and London. In 2019 he completed the 53-mile Race to the Tower, and in 2016 he completed Oxfam’s 100km Trailwalker alongside Chambers’ Joss Knight and Charlie Newington-Bridges. Most Summers you will find him in the queue at Wimbledon or getting frustrated with the England football team.

  • Ben Handy is regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate. If you are not satisfied with the service provided, please read here.